We aren’t getting ahead of ourselves.
- Robbie Jackson
WODONGA captain-coach Robbie Jackson says his side has plenty of work to do, despite an unbeaten start to the season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
![SHOCK EXIT: Despite playing the first two games this season, decorated St Patrick's veteran Andrew Lade has decided to retire from the top grade, effective immediately. SHOCK EXIT: Despite playing the first two games this season, decorated St Patrick's veteran Andrew Lade has decided to retire from the top grade, effective immediately.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/Zm4CTucw9LK5zMwcDbCRu9/430fc97b-b480-4e5d-aadc-a656088e2748.jpg/r672_0_3104_4053_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The Dogs are one of only two teams – Belvoir is the other – that will enter round three undefeated.
“I think it can be a bit misleading,” Jackson said.
“We aren’t getting ahead of ourselves.
“For us to get some early wins on the board is excellent.
“We’ll be fighting for a position in the final six so we’ve got to chalk up as many wins as early as we can.”
That plan continues on Saturday - weather permitting – against St Patrick’s at Xavier Oval.
Whoever wins the coin toss will most likely look to bat on a wicket that yielded scores of 170 and 8-168 between Patties and Lavington in round one.
It’s also the scene of some fond memories for Wodonga, which defeated St Patrick’s there in the 2011-2012 grand final.
That match is best remembered for the batting contributions of Dylan Beattie and Luke Restall.
Beattie smashed an unbeaten 134 for Wodonga, while Restall scored 131 not out for Patties.
“We are looking forward to getting over there because we have plenty of fond memories,” Jackson said.
“I assume it’s the same it has been in previous years – nice and hard and flat.
“If you get yourself in, you should be rewarded.”
Both teams enter the two-dayer full of confidence after posting wins last week.
Patties had a memorable triumph at North Albury, chasing down the Hoppers’ total of 9-281, winning by just one wicket.
It also proved to be Andrew Lade’s last first grade game – the decorated Patties veteran announcing his retirement this week.
“Any side with Ladey we have to prepare hard and now he’s not in, there’s other players we have to focus on and obviously Matty Crawshaw scored runs last week,” Jackson said.
Wodonga also had a win, defending just 8-108 away to Lavington.
The Panthers were bowled out in the 49th over, just eight runs shy of the target.
Jackson knows that while batting conditions were difficult at Lavington, a similar total won’t be enough for victory this round.
“You don’t have to be Einstein to work out the facilities weren’t up to scratch for batting,” he said.
“It was a matter of who could make the most runs on that wicket.”
Wodonga’s quest to enter the Christmas break in solid shape on the ladder won’t be easy.
After St Patrick’s, the Dogs face East Albury and Belvoir – both games are at Les Cheesley Oval – before facing the Raiders at Birallee Park.