For the Warners Bay Bulldogs, who are fighting to make the final seven, the biggest test of their 2018 campaign is emerging on Saturday morning, as they prepare to face the Newcastle City Stars for the second time this year.

It’s a huge match for the Bulldogs, who know Newcastle will be out for revenge, but it’s exactly where they wanted to be come season end, coach Tracey Baker said.

“We basically need to win the next two games to make the semi-finals, so playing the Stars again is going to be a massive challenge, especially because we gave them their first loss in nearly two years,” Baker explained.

The Bulldogs’ leading lady also revealed the squad has been struggling with a number of injuries in recent weeks, including recent blows for ruck Dianne Crep (broken wrist) and full forward Roseanne Holmes (stress fractures).

“I know so many squads have a lot, and City has plenty including a few ACL injuries, but we’re missing some key players in our squad,” she said. “It’s always a challenge, the last three or four seasons we’ve been in similar boats and it makes it hard to get a run on when you lose so many.”

Baker also explained the squad had sat down and poured over footage from their Round 14 victory over the Star outfit.

“We had a session where we analysed the BarTV coverage, we broke down the game to try and work out where we can improve,” the Bulldogs coach revealed. “Newcastle are going to come out firing because of their loss in the Women’s Round, so we have to be prepared for that.”

“It’s going to be a tough game no matter what, so we’re prepared for that and once you know what’s coming it makes it a lot easier to brace for it.”

The Bulldogs coach pinpointed a number of reinforcements and stalwarts that would be “crucial to scoring a win”, including newcomer Sam Delaney who “shone last week”.

She also believes Sam Lawrence and Jade McPherson will be key in the back line for Warners Bay, while she expects midfield general Amy Pittman to “push the attack forward” from the centre of the park. Baker confirmed new recruit Molley-Ann Croak would replace the injured Crep as ruck.

Elsewhere in the competition’s seventeenth round, Singleton are in a similar situation to the Bulldogs, as they come up against league leaders Nelson Bay will striving to earn a spot in the finals.

The match is set to be played at Rose Point Park, and the Roosterettes know if Warners Bay can pull off the double against the Stars their game becomes a must-win against the Marlins.

Also on Saturday, Wyong Lakes welcome Maitland to Don Small Oval, while Killarney Vale face off against Port Stephens at Adelaide Street Oval.

In a mid-table clash that could determine final standings for both teams, Terrigal Avoca travels to face Cardiff at Hillsborough Oval, with both teams level on 24 points after sixteen rounds, while Gosford look to stay ahead of the duo with a win over Muswellbrook at Adcock Park.

Finally, the Newcastle City Novas welcome Wallsend-West Newcastle to the Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, and The Entrance Bateau Bay search for their second win of the season when they make the trip to Tulkaba Park to face off against the red-hot Lake Macquarie Dockers.