Cootamundra’s first grade men have played three matches but are yet to win one.

“We can’t walk in and think that we’ll win,” co-coach Adam McPhail said.

They might be a smaller club but McPhail said Tumut has a knack for getting surprising results.

In their last two matches the Eagles have beaten the Strikers – including during the Pascoe Plate finals.

“It’s something we’re not taking likely. We’ve got to make sure we’re switched on,” McPhail said.

“Even if it’s 1-nil, it will be perfect for us, anything on top of that is a bonus.

“If we don’t get the points we’re making it hard on ourselves for the rest of the season.”

A red card for Josh Purtell in last weekend’s match against Tolland will cost the Strikers dearly, with a three suspension issued.

“It’s a big blow for us, as he’s one of our senior players,” McPhail said.

“During the Tolland match he helped create opportunities and he can play all across the park, whether in attack or defence.”

Steve Armstrong will also spend a week on the sidelines.

However, Dylan Berkrey will return in the centre-mid position and co-coach Brent Farnsworth will return up front for the Strikers and will be looking to score a few goals.

Meanwhile, the Strikers’ women’s teams will play Henwood Park on the weekend.

The first grade squad will be up for their second game in three days after playing Tolland in Wagga on Thursday night.

Coach James Dickinson said while the team were still hunting for their first win, they had been competitive in every game until the final whistle.

“They've played two of the ‘harder’ sides and there was a close loss in round one (5-4) and another to last year’s grand finalists (4-2),” Dickinson said.

“We’re hoping to be at the semi-finals and the women have every chance with the way they’re playing.”

Dickinson said the reserve grade side two score two wins from three games.

“Having a strong reserve grade is good for the first grade, we’ve got players putting pressure on the first grade players to perform,” he said.

The Strikers’ Madden Trophy team is sitting equal second on the ladder with points and fifth on for-and-against.

“I’m confident with a hard work we can be there at the end of the year,” he said.