Oxley Vale Attunga will face the biggest examination of their title defence on Saturday as the McDonalds Northern Inland Premier League kicks into finals mode.
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The Mushies host East Armidale in one of the two elimination finals, with the winner to advance through to the preliminary final and the loser to bow out.
They took the points last time the two sides met 5-1, the performance prompting a "we're back” from Coates. Since then they've drawn with North Armidale and beat North Companions.
“The form is pretty solid going in,” Coates said.
Jack Diebold and Benn Gennardini have been good up front, and Chris Fenton is “just hitting 100 per cent form for the first time this season”. In saying that they will be a bit of a “patch-up side” on Saturday with five players out.
Coates is expecting Easts to be quick up front.
“Coby Kliendienst and Jake Davies are very quick on their feet, and they are very solid at the back with Trent Irwin,” he said. Brendan Hatte also played that last game in the midfield, and is an experienced head.
