When the VAFA released its division 4 fixtures last year, two dates were circled on the calendars of every Point Cook and Westbourne Grammarians player: April 23, the first Wyndham derby, and June 18, the second instalment.
Point Cook coach Ian Denny was not playing down the importance of those two dates to both clubs.
“It’s not just another game; it’s Westbourne, it’s local pride and it’s the western suburbs,” he told Star Weekly.
“Our players don’t like Westbourne from a club perspective, but there’s no animosity.
“It’s more you’re Westbourne, we’re Point Cook, and we’re not supposed to like each other very much.
“[But] the games are always played in really good spirit without spite.”
The big clash between the first and second sides on the ladder at Saltwater Reserve on Saturday could be a preview of this year’s grand final.
Westbourne, unbeaten on top of the ladder with a percentage of 319, is a clear-cut favourite to win the flag.
Point Cook has broken away from third- placed Eley Park to take a stranglehold on second spot by two games and percentage.
The Bulldogs know they are the underdogs by some way in this contest, particularly after losing the first derby by 10 goals, so Denny needs to see improvement in his team.
“I’m not too worried about winning a game in June. I’m more worried about the end of the year,” he said.
“We’ll try out a few things during the game, see how they play out and keep monitoring how we progress.
“They got us by about 10 goals last time, so we’ll be looking to improve on that.”
Denny is enthused by the brand of football his side has produced since their round three loss to Westbourne.
A young and impressionable group, the Bulldogs are starting to grasp the standard of play required at senior level.
“They’re just better players now,” Denny said.
“They dispose of the ball better, they’re smarter, they’ve got a better game sense, a bit of youth and exuberance, and they want to learn.”
What is certain is that Point Cook will need Will Dawson to fire if they’re to cause an upset.
Dawson is the competition’s leading goalkicker with 38 and could well be involved in a shoot-out with Westbourne’s Dale Collins, who is second with 30.
Mason Kip’s leadership will be important in the big game, as the captain has been a steadying influence in the Point Cook defence.
A couple of wildcards for the Bulldogs could be ruckman Alex Grigg and midfielder Jordan Lampi.
Grigg has been an imposing presence around the ground in recent weeks, while Lampi is starting to increase his minutes on the comeback trail from a broken foot.
