Corowa's Kaelan Bradtke having joy with bat and ball after a productive football season

After 11 rounds of the shortened format, the provincial competition has reverted back to one-dayers with Corowa fifth on the ladder ahead of Saturday's home clash with Tallangatta.

Bradtke's been a central figure in their season so far, picking up 11 wickets with a best of 3-27.

"It was enjoyable to play those T20 games early on and learn how to play T20 cricket," he said.

"I think it's brought the best out in us as a team, being able to perform under pressure in those situations where the whole game isn't going to be on your terms.

"Our goal, going into Christmas, was to be 500 (four wins and four losses) and having played North Albury and the good sides, it's not too bad to be at 500.

"We'll just look to gain on that and play our best cricket towards the end of the season and hopefully into finals."

Corowa almost became the first team to beat North Albury two weeks ago, having the Hoppers nine down in pursuit of just 105 before the leaders limped over the line with three balls to spare.

"We can match it with them if we play our best cricket and I think that showed against North Albury," Bradtke said.

"Our best is up there with them - but unfortunately they were too good on the day."

The 20-year-old hasn't just been making an impact with the ball.

In three consecutive rounds, he scored 26 against St Patrick's, 20 against Tallangatta and 20 against New City, helping Corowa to victory on each occasion.

Bradtke has scored 82 runs for the season, which means he's only 28 shy of last season's total.

"Coming up to (bat at) four, my job was just to turn the strike over, hit sweepers and get the more experienced, better batters on strike so they can do what they do best and make runs to give us some momentum," he said.

"I'm stoked about it. It's good having people like Luke Restall and Rohan Larkin come down and give lots of advice and help me with my technique and plans going into a game.

"It really has helped everyone at Corowa with their batting.

"Yes, it's nice knowing I contributed in those games but it's more important that we won."

ALSO IN SPORT

Bradtke is also part of Corowa-Rutherglen's improving side in the Ovens and Murray Football League, having played nine games under coach Peter German this year.

"It's great with Germo developing us young boys into the footballers we're becoming and starting to build a good culture at Corowa," Bradtke said.

"He makes an effort to connect with each individual at the club and get to know what they want out of their footy.

"With all the experience he's had, coaching higher level football, he knows the best and most efficient way to do that.

"It's a tremendous place to be at the moment. The pre-season we're putting in is hopefully going to hold us in good stead and some of the signings, the old junior boys from Geelong all coming back; Jy Lane, Bill Henson, Will Robinson and then retaining the blokes from Melbourne like Tommy Goodwin and Charlie Nastase is fantastic.

"It's good for the boys, everyone loves it and even at training on Wednesday night, just the numbers that are there, it's fantastic to see compared to a few years ago."

Elsewhere in provincial, the pick of the games sees third-placed Wodonga trying to close the gap to Albury, in second, at Billson Park.

Leaders North Albury take their unbeaten record to Belvoir and Lavington faces a trip to Wodonga Raiders, while St Patrick's can finish the year inside the top-six with victory at home to East Albury.

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