The Bulldogs are red-hot flag favourites in their first season back in the competition but byes in the roster have meant they will go into the match against the Roos having played just one game in the past month.

"It hasn't worked out well for us and it's been hard to keep all the boys up and about with four weeks of training to one game," coach Aaron Viney said.

"Deloraine are a much improved side compared to the last couple of years and Rory (Mansell) has done a great job with them out there and they look impressive so it should be a tough game."

The Bulldogs expect to lose Matthew Towns and Lochie Cox to injury and will promote a couple of players from the reserves.

Viney said he was happy with his side's start to the year but there were still areas for improvement.

"We showed some good patches against Rocherlea in our last game and over the past few weeks we've had a chance to work on some of our set-ups and zones and areas we've been struggling in," he said.

GEORGE TOWN hosts Rocherlea on a big day for the club with both teams playing for the inaugural Mental Health Cup and a fund-raising dinner to be held afterwards with proceeds going to Angels Goal.

The senior game will be played at noon and the reserves at 2pm.

"We're keen and think we can be in for the challenge as long as we get our leg speed going around the ground and our forwards can kick some goals," Saints coach Alan Perrin said.

Miles Baker should return from injury.

Rocherlea is coming off a good win over Deloraine.

"It was a fantastic win and it proved if we stick to our game plan and pressure the opposition the results are there," coach Andrew Philpott said.

"We want to be in the top three by the end of the year and we have a block now of George Town, Scottsdale and Bracknell that we need to win."

Jason Zadow will still be sidelined by a hamstring injury and Jordan Cousins will miss.

Luke Praciak is expected to return in the next few weeks.

BRACKNELL coach Josh Nunn is hoping his side can find the four- quarter consistency against Bridgenorth that has eluded it so far this season.

Nunn expected a tough game against the Parrots and said his side had played good football in patches but was still yet to hit its straps for a whole game.

Jacob Gelston is unavailable.

BRIDGENORTH will be keen for another good performance with coach Michael Bowden looking for a win to put some space between the second-placed Parrots and Deloraine and Hillwood.

Josh Murfett should return along with Darren Long and Mark Edwards.

Bowden said there were still areas for improvement before the clash with Hillwood next week.

LONGFORD travels to Scottsdale looking to build on a big win over George Town before the break.

Ben Chugg will play his first game of the season in a boost for the club's midfield with Jack Turner facing a fitness test.

"We believe that if we front up with the right mindset we can go up there and get another good win," Longford coach Matthew O'Donoghue said.

SCOTTSDALE has taken some hits to confidence over the past couple of weeks and suffered a couple of injuries in the game against Bridgenorth losing two key playmakers in Joe Robinson and Christian Barnes.

Coach Tony Power was hopeful of a good performance at home and a much- needed win.