Starting the season off with a bang, the last three weeks have caused trouble for HILLWOOD as they aim to snap their losing streak against Deloraine.
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Regaining Zac Oldenhof, Shannon Buller and Mason Keane to add depth to their side, coach Nathan Lowe cursed last week's inefficiency as they broke their record tackle count and "controlled the contest."
"Saturday was one that really hurt the boys and after a good night Tuesday we are ready to go," Lowe said.
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Deloraine are set to buff their starting line-up after they went in under-manned against Bracknell.
Coach Brad Powe anticipates Rory Gurr and Adam Lingford to join the side with Oliver Smith, Oli Proudfoot and Nathan Rataj returning soon.
"Hillwood's last three weeks haven't been their best but they have a good list and we'll have a good crack at their home ground in the wet," Powe said.
After an "exciting and rewarding" win last week, GEORGE TOWN coach Allan O'Sign couldn't be more excited for his side to test themselves against top side Longford.
"We did what we wanted [against Hillwood] and executed well. They had their chances to win but we held on by two points," he said.
"If I had to pick a game to play in this week, it would be this one. This is just what our group needs - to face the top team at their home ground and really give us an indication of where we are at."
Longford returned to NTFA action with a commanding 92-point win over Scottsdale last week and coach Beau Thorp was pleased his side's effort despite the "patchy" and "rusty" start.
"George Town are much-improved and they play a strong and physical game, so we'll be looking to combat that alongside our normal game style," Thorp said.
The ladder leaders aim to remain unchanged in the key clash with Ben Bell potentially coming in for the Saints.
Storming home by kicking seven goals in the last quarter, it was too little too late last week for SOUTH LAUNCESTON, who aim to recover as they face a revitalised Bridgenorth outfit.
Daniel Johnston has been ruled out with concussion but the Bulldogs regain Brad Keegan and Ben Webb for the clash as coach Aaron Viney feels they've grown.
"They got us down there last time but we feel we've made improvements since round two and we know our match-ups better. The weather doesn't look too great so it could be a bit of a slog," he said.
Fresh off the bye, allowing a break following a tight Rocherlea clash, Bridgenorth coach Brady Demeijer is looking for success to remain in the league's best.
"It's been a massive week for the club with a few things going on, so hopefully we can get three wins across the board," he said.
Last year's best and fairest runner-up Casey Walker-Russell returns from a knee injury as Isaac Lethborg plays his first for the year.
ROCHERLEA coach Andrew Cox-Goodyer felt Saturday's South Launceston result was "a long time coming" for his developing side and aims to hit the ground running against Bracknell.
"We are looking for a four-quarter effort. I'm pretty confident after last time we played them but football is a funny game if you don't come out with the right attitude," he said.
With only percentage separating the two sides, Saturday's game could boost finals chances and Bracknell coach Andrew Philpott is expecting a hard-fought contest.
"We have to win every game from here if we are serious," Philpott said.
"We played pretty good football for most of the day [last week] and just couldn't finish off.
"Rocherlea have been going well and they are in the same boat, so I expect it to be a hard-fought contest."
Jordan Blake, Matthew Bosworth and Matthew Carlisle are all being looked at for this week's clash with the weather forecast set to play a part in Philpott's decision.
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