Roos set new record for pre-finals bye Roos very well rested for tilt at premiership

Forty-nine days. That's how long Tallangatta league premiership fancies Yackandandah will have waited for a game of footy.

And no pressure, but that first one back will be for a spot in the grand final.

The Roos last lined up against Mitta in round 11 of the home and away season on July 10.

But after two more Victorian lockdowns in mid-July and early August, a decision was made to scrap the remainder of the home and away season at the start of the week.

By virtue, Yackandandah finished the home and away season as minor premiers and moved straight into the second semi-final at Sandy Creek on August 28 after it was determined at a league wide meeting on Thursday night that the finals would be played as originally scheduled.

COVID-permitting, they'll await the winner of the qualifying final between Chiltern and Kiewa-Sandy Creek next Saturday, meaning both will have the extra game under the belt, while Yackandandah goes in without a hit-out.

Roos' coach Darren Holmes said it has been a challenge to keep the players motivated, but they're relieved to have clarity around the rest of the season.

"It's not ideal, but these are the cards we're dealt with," he said.

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"We'll play an intraclub on Saturday morning. It will be a training session we'll turn into a bit of a scratch match and hope we don't cop any injuries.

"We're trying to balance fitness, but one of the big issues is blokes are finding it hard to stay mentally switched on in this environment.

"I'm trying to get it right, but it's a guessing game.

"Our numbers are strong at training and we don't seem to have too many dropping off, so club wide I think our attitude is pretty good.

"I'm just really happy the season is going again and I know our blokes were sweating on Friday morning's announcement. I know they'll be really happy to at least try to finish this and that's all we can do.

"That's all you can ask from the TDFL. They're doing everything they can to try make it happen and we appreciate that."

Holmes would love to see the league allow clubs to select an extra player in finals given every side will have had a minimum of six games without a kick.

The league had ticked off the rule, which could see teams agree to name four on the bench instead of three, two weeks ago for the final two home and away rounds, which were ultimately scrapped.

Experienced finals campaigners Barnawartha and Tallangatta are in the elimination final on August 22.

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