Season-defining games loom for Goers

The third-placed Goers play second-placed Golden Square and Bendigo United in one-day games before potential season-defining two-day encounters against reigning premier Eaglehawk and premiership fancy Sandhurst

"It's ideal for us because if we're good enough to play in the finals we need to beat the teams that are above us and around us on the ladder,'' Koop said.

"Playing these good teams will be an ideal lead in for us."

In the final match before the Christmas break, the Goers were staring down the barrel of a third-straight defeat until tailender Matt Gray launched a late six against White Hills to pinch the points.

"To be third on the ladder at the Christmas break is a good position to be in,'' he said.

"We're half a game ahead of fourth and one-and-a-half games clear of fifth, so the win (against White Hills) and Matty Gray's six was hugely important to us.

"We'd lost a bit of momentum in losing to Strathdale and Strathfieldsaye, so it as good to regain some momentum going into the break."

Koop said Bendigo’s ability to win close matches could be the difference between making and missing the finals.

"It's good to see the boys getting some reward for their effort,'' Koop said.

"The boys have been training really hard and to win those close games is evident of how connected everyone is.

"We've put ourselves in challenging situations in games and at training, so it's good to win the tight games because that's what it's all about."

BDCA fixture for one-day matches in round eight on January 6:

Bendigo v Golden Square, Strathfieldsaye v Eaglehawk, Bendigo United v Strathdale-Maristians, Kangaroo Flat v White Hills, Sandhurst v Huntly-North Epsom.