Stawell Mitre 10 Warriors can consolidate second position in the Wimmera Football League with victory over the potentially dangerous Dimboola tomorrow.
That's the possibility staring the Warriors in the face as they entertain the Roos at Central Park.
A win tomorrow would see Stawell maintain their one-game break over a host of teams on 12 points as the competition heads into the interleague break.
However, senior coach Dale Power knows it won't be an easy assignment against the talented Dimboola outfit that boasts the likes of dual Toohey Medallist Peter MacFarlane, in form Karl Lohde and clever forward Glenn Ross.
Power said he would take the Roos cautiously despite their surprise one point loss to Warrack Eagles last Saturday.
He expected MacFarlane, who has kicked 17 goals this season to play forward and be manned up by captain Ben Williamson, while tipping Ben Scott and Scott Nicholson would match-up against Lohde at different stages during the afternoon. James Delahunty is likely to get the job on Ross.
Warriors may again be without forward Sam Anyon after missing last Saturday's clash with a hamstring injury. Anyon trained on Tuesday with a final decision on his availability expected following last night's session. Jorah Margetson, who was a standout in the reserves on the weekend, is a chance to return to the team following a shoulder injury in round one.
``If he is out this week, he won't be far off,'' Power said.
Brent Tuckey also confirmed his availability yesterday after a some fluid around the knee threatened to keep him out of the team and Isaac Rathgeber is also expected to play after a light week on the track with a bruised thumb.
Joel Freeland and Andrew Dunn appear to have kept their places in the team after impressive performances against the Saints.
Dimboola heads to Stawell tomorrow looking for its first victory over the Warriors since 2006, a statistic that the home side will be confident of keeping in tact. The Roos have been one of the league's more inconsistent teams this season with wins over cellar-dwellers Minyip-Murtoa and Horsham United to their credit and are yet to win at home in 2008 after surprising losses to Ararat and Warrack Eagles.
Warrack Eagles could force their way into the top five by taking the points against Minyip-Murtoa.
The sixth placed Eagles have been an improving force this season and are expected to account for the winless Burras at Brim.
Ararat will travel to City Oval tomorrow to battle Horsham United for the KFC Cup, while Nhill hosts the Saints in what shapes as the match of the round.
Stawell' s likely line-up
B: T Newton, B Williamson, I Rathgeber
HB: D Thomas, J Delahunty, N Thomas
C: J Duke, B Scott, S Jenkins
HF: S Nicholson, J Carr, B Tuckey
F: J Thomas, S Field, D Power
R: B Homden, N Holloway, P Hanns
Int (from): T Nicholson, A Dunn, J Freeland, S Anyon, J Margetson, J Davis