BEECHWORTH’S senior footballers will be looking to take bragging rights over rivals Yackandandah tomorrow leading into finals.

The top of the table clash at Baarmutha Park could be a prelude to the first week of finals with both sides currently sitting in the second versus third qualifying final with three rounds to go.

The Bushrangers used a dominant six goal to two third quarter over Tallangatta last Saturday to break out to a 30 point win at Rowen Park to almost certainly cement the double chance top three spot.

Lachie Armstrong spearheaded the team with five goals while co-coach Brayden Carey made his return to the playing side felt with four goals of his own with consistent performers Alessandro Belci, Cam Fendyk and Peter Jeffries all among the best.

Co-coach Tom Cartledge said the team have made a habit of bringing their best footy after half-time and it was no different at Tallangatta.

“It felt like we had a bit more of the footy in the first half but were just untidy with a few bits of play,“ he said.

“Once we sharpened up those areas it turned the game into our favour just a little bit more.”

After navigating a tricky three week stretch against teams hungry for the fifth and final finals spot and playing through a long injury list, Cartledge said it was crucial his side were able to grind out the three wins.

“Years gone by I don’t think we would have had the internal belief or the resilience to stick with it and chalk up a win, we probably would have fallen away,” he said.

“It’s huge for us knowing that we can come through in different kind of challenges or circumstances and chisel out a few hard fought wins.”

The Roos have been somewhat of a bogey side for the Bushrangers in their past two seasons, recording wins against every other team in the TDFL outside of their cross-town rivals.

Key players Brent Ryan, Tristan Stead and Mitch Anderson are expected to return for the home side who will still be missing the likes of Kayde Surrey on their long-term injury list.

Cartledge said the prospect of a potential rematch within the month won’t change the approach of his team, who will try and take a big scalp in front of what is expected to be a bumper home crowd.

“We’re definitely disappointed we let that one get away from us down at Yack earlier in the year so if we can chisel them away in front of a big crowd it’ll be a good little confidence booster if we do play them in the first round of finals,” he said.

“We’ve done a lot of work in making sure we start better and capitalising on our opportunities, when we played the first time we had just as many scoring shots as them we just couldn’t put them through the right side of the goals.

“They’re a pretty quick and young side, so they’re going to want to run on our big ground and we’re going to have to try nullifying that, and making sure we take our opportunities when they present themselves.”