THE competition’s strongest outfits will reacquaint themselves on Saturday for what is tipped to be a sneak peek towards this year’s grand final.
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Uni Mowbray went down to Old Scotch by 29 points earlier this year and Eagles coach Nathan Lowe is hopeful of over turning the result.
Lowe said six players including Glenn Dawson, Tom Hartley, Rohan Willis and Issac Peters would return after missing due to university exams.
“Our ground is not in that great of condition with the rain that’s been had but we are out to give everything we’ve got on Saturday,” Lowe said.
“Their overall spread and run is what is getting everybody at the moment.
“Every side tries different tactics on them… I think the key is not to panic.”
Thistles coach Kim Curtis said his players had not faltered all season.
“Uni at Uni is a tough task… we have to play our style of footy,” he said.
“They’ve got a pretty potent forward line so we will keep an eye on those and go from there.
Curtis said Jony Swallow would miss a month with an knee injury, while Jake Terry, Chris Hughes and Rhys Davey are also available.
Former Launceston midfielder Joe Boyce will debut.
PROSPECT is looking to repeat its early season eight-point over rivals St Pats.
The Hawks are a chance to win their third straight match and coach Brett Laskey is confident, despite Sam Crack and Lucas Crawford being ruled out with injury
“It’s hard to win at St Pats and we’re going into this week thinking we can win,” he said.
“They’re a couple of games above us on the ladder and their results will determine whether we will play finals or not – it’s a game we need to win.
“It’s going to be a real fight.”
It is also a crucial encounter for the fifth-placed Saints, who face a difficult run home with Uni Mowbray, Lilydale, Evandale and Scotch awaiting in the final four rounds.
Coach Dayle O’Neill said his forward line structure is set for a revamp with Alex Russell missing in action for two months.
“Prospect’s defensive pressure was impressive last time… we’ve learnt from that and the boys are keen to turn the tide,” he said.
“We are trying to get as many points as we can leading into finals.”
Captain Tom Hilder and Luke Weldon’s fitness is in doubt.
TAMAR CATS host the third-placed Lilydale and are confident of improving on the Demons’ demolition in April.
Cats coach Joe Hammond said he was impressed with his side’s competitive effort against Uni Mowbray.
“Now we’re not in finals contention, the aim is for us to continue to compete,” Hammond said.
“We had 10 players out last time and we’ll be near full strength this week, so we will be looking to be competitive with nothing to lose.”
Hammond said Nicholas Hammersley would return, while Lilydale coach Thane Bardenhagen said former Deloraine coach Rory Mansell would line up for his first senior game.
“This week could be a danger game for us as we have a few sore boys,” Bardenhagen said.
OLD LAUNCESTONIANS will be challenged by Meander Valley at Invermay Park, while Perth and Evandale both have the weekend off.