Saints keeper Dylan Jago will be replaced, Mitch Lovell, with Logan Buckby stepping back into the defence after missing last week.

Saints’ spokesman Nick Stokes added they would need to raise their standard if they wanted to play finals.

The Bloods have experience to burn in their defensive unit with more than a hundred years between Dave Townsend, Jason Birtwhistle, Dave Kenworthy and Craig McCarthy, a formidable force that could push them over the line.

Burnie Baptist is again in the hunt and should be reasonably confident of accounting for Devonport on home turf, although they lost the first round clash in Devonport.

Andrew Ollington and Anthony Lockett up front are always a danger but previous games have seen youngsters Tyler and Jake Wolfe scoring, adding to the Subbies’ woes.

The Subbies are a capable outfit that cannot be discounted if things get tough. The fighting spirit means the opposition can’t relax, with Sam Phillips and Mick Williams around the circle.

Launceston City hosts South Burnie in a must-win for the Hawks if they want to remain in finals contention, as is the case with all but the ladder leaders.

City pushed ladder leaders Queechy in their round nine match, sounding a warning to others that complacency will be punished. The Jeremy Stebbings-led side is not an easy task.

The Hawks’ defence and team leader Jared Bomford has a good eye for gaps that lead to the goals, with brother Jason and Roger Ambrose in support.

Jordan Dart, Stu Bowles, and Kurt Edmunds are the danger men at the front with pace and skill that leads to goals.

Queechy heads to Devonport to play West Dragons in what should be a one-sided affair, with the Qs taking the upper hand.

The Q’s corner barrage is working well with Daniel Chong, Josh Commins and Finn Bailey converting with ease.

Coaches Brett Withington and Sam Rossetto exert a positive vibe on this side as they head to what could be their sixth title.

West, the league’s battlers, are struggling with the pace of the game, but coach Fred Bessell is happy with their progress and their resolve as they continue to gain the experience with a view to better things next year.

Tamar and South Launceston in Launceston could go either way with perhaps the favouritism going to the Suns.

Tamar has altered its playing style to a more aggressive mode, a move that has kept them in the hunt against more fancied opposition.

Games: City Marians v Smithton 2pm Burnie, Burnie Baptist v Devonport 3.30pm Burnie, Launceston City v South Burnie 1pm Launceston, West Devonport v Queechy 3.30 Devonport, Tamar v South Launceston 4pm Launceston