Stawell Mitre 10 Warriors will begin their charge to the Wimmera Football League finals when they host Nhill at Central Park tomorrow.
Warriors have had time to freshen up from their surprise loss to Warrack Eagles two weeks ago with the bye but will play the first of its seven straight games tomorrow as it heads towards finals.
Coach Dale Power said his team had a couple of light weeks on the track since its loss to the Eagles and were treated to a visit from former Carlton player Glenn Manton during their team meeting on Tuesday night (see photo page 55).
``It went well... they gave each other feedback and identified a few areas to work on in the second half of the year,'' Power said.
``We have got seven rounds then finals so it's not ideal to have the bye so early.
``We have got to see where we are at after the last loss, hopefully we're ready.''
Power expected Justin Thomas (ankle), Travis Nicholson (foot) and Shane Field (reserves) to be up for selection for tomorrow's match, but rated Julian Carr as `doubtful' after the forward dislocated a kneecap during Stawell's clash at Warracknabeal.
The absence of Carr, who tops the Warriors goalkicking with 24 goals in 2008, would place an added responsibility on 2007 Toohey Medal winner Brent Tuckey and Sam Anyon as well as Scott Nicholson up forward.
Power said Damien McDonald remained a few weeks away from playing his first match of the season, but expected ruckman Bryce Homden (knee) to make his return through the reserves tomorrow.
He expected Nhill to be a much more polished outfit than the one Stawell thumped by 69 points in round three, largely due to the addition of key player Jarryd Graham.
Power expected Graham or Big W representative Sean Bayzand to line up on Tuckey, who has had an extra week on the sidelines to get over a niggling groin injury.
Classy Nhill coach Joel Price will be another of the danger men for the Warriors around the middle and up forward, while Graeme Cole poses a threat in front of the sticks with 25 goals this season.
Warrack Eagles will be able to test out their form when they host Horsham Demons tomorrow.
The Eagles, now third, have won their last three matches against Horsham United, Stawell and Nhill but face a massive task in the Demons.
However, their running style of play will surely test the Demons who are yet to drop a game in 2008.
Horsham United gets the chance to score its second win of the season when it meets the struggling Horsham Saints.
United has won just one game this season but won't be able to leapfrog Minyip-Murtoa off the bottom because they have the bye.
Ararat looks a strong chance of regaining third position on the ladder with a victory over the out of sorts Dimboola.
Likely Stawell line-up
B:I Rathgeber, B Williamson, J Davis
HB: N Thomas, J Delahunty, D Thomas
C: J Duke, B Scott, S Jenkins
HF: S Nicholson, B Tuckey, J Thomas
F: D Power, S Field, S Anyon
R: J Margetson, T Newton, P Hanns
Int (from): A Dunn, S Jones, O Adam, M Batsiua, T Nicholson
Warriors have had time to freshen up from their surprise loss to Warrack Eagles two weeks ago with the bye but will play the first of its seven straight games tomorrow as it heads towards finals.
Coach Dale Power said his team had a couple of light weeks on the track since its loss to the Eagles and were treated to a visit from former Carlton player Glenn Manton during their team meeting on Tuesday night (see photo page 55).
``It went well... they gave each other feedback and identified a few areas to work on in the second half of the year,'' Power said.
``We have got seven rounds then finals so it's not ideal to have the bye so early.
``We have got to see where we are at after the last loss, hopefully we're ready.''
Power expected Justin Thomas (ankle), Travis Nicholson (foot) and Shane Field (reserves) to be up for selection for tomorrow's match, but rated Julian Carr as `doubtful' after the forward dislocated a kneecap during Stawell's clash at Warracknabeal.
The absence of Carr, who tops the Warriors goalkicking with 24 goals in 2008, would place an added responsibility on 2007 Toohey Medal winner Brent Tuckey and Sam Anyon as well as Scott Nicholson up forward.
Power said Damien McDonald remained a few weeks away from playing his first match of the season, but expected ruckman Bryce Homden (knee) to make his return through the reserves tomorrow.
He expected Nhill to be a much more polished outfit than the one Stawell thumped by 69 points in round three, largely due to the addition of key player Jarryd Graham.
Power expected Graham or Big W representative Sean Bayzand to line up on Tuckey, who has had an extra week on the sidelines to get over a niggling groin injury.
Classy Nhill coach Joel Price will be another of the danger men for the Warriors around the middle and up forward, while Graeme Cole poses a threat in front of the sticks with 25 goals this season.
Warrack Eagles will be able to test out their form when they host Horsham Demons tomorrow.
The Eagles, now third, have won their last three matches against Horsham United, Stawell and Nhill but face a massive task in the Demons.
However, their running style of play will surely test the Demons who are yet to drop a game in 2008.
Horsham United gets the chance to score its second win of the season when it meets the struggling Horsham Saints.
United has won just one game this season but won't be able to leapfrog Minyip-Murtoa off the bottom because they have the bye.
Ararat looks a strong chance of regaining third position on the ladder with a victory over the out of sorts Dimboola.
Likely Stawell line-up
B:I Rathgeber, B Williamson, J Davis
HB: N Thomas, J Delahunty, D Thomas
C: J Duke, B Scott, S Jenkins
HF: S Nicholson, B Tuckey, J Thomas
F: D Power, S Field, S Anyon
R: J Margetson, T Newton, P Hanns
Int (from): A Dunn, S Jones, O Adam, M Batsiua, T Nicholson
