A Big Bash League conflict at UTAS Stadium has forced ACL captain John Kedey to miss Saturday's crucial away clash to Beaconsfield.
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For the groundsman, who will be preparing the wicket for Hobart Hurricanes' home fixture with Adelaide Strikers, timing could not be worse in the battle for third spot.
Kedey has not batted since December 21 after his side's washout with Longford last week. The veteran won't play again until at least February.
"I need continuity with my cricket at my age - I'm 41, not 21 anymore," Kedey joked.
While Kedey has scored 257 runs and taken 19 scalps this summer, the Bluebacks at least regain Deepak Singh and possibly Matthew Oates among three changes.
Both teams sit on 18 points, eight inside the top four, but can stake a claim for a home semi-final with victory.
"We will have a really good mindset going into this, with a clear process of what we want to achieve," Kedey said.
Beaconsfield could well ring up to six changes from the side humbled last week.
Paceman Tim Crawford and keeper Nathan Barry are the side's biggest inclusions.
"Hopefully we'll play with a more positive attitude too," captain Sean Barry said.
"Last week, we first struggled with availability when we had players that had to pull out prior to the game."
Perth feel better equipped to host Longford after a first win since February last year.
Captain John Hayes is confident the Demons can bring their best game to the table.
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
"I think it's about reward for effort, but also because I think we've got our best personnel on the park that we have had all year," he said.
"So that will bring a bit of confidence to the guys that have been in the team all of the year and not winning,"
Gloveman Josh Farrell and allrounder Ethan Goldfinch will make way for both Leigh Barker and Lachie Dakin.
Undefeated Longford will remain unchanged ahead of its first game of the new year.
Skipper Jackson Blair said the Tigers are "keen and excited" for another challenge.
"We're looking forward to get back to our good form," he said. "We want to put together a batting and bowling performance on the day."
Trevallyn captain James Whiteley has thrown down the gauntlet to his players for the encounter with Hadspen.
"We showed a few signs last week, but we still weren't quite there," he said.
"We just need to get a few senior players to start taking some ownership - myself included - to start dragging this team along if we are any chance of making finals."
A form Hadspen has come straight off a 10-wicket win.
But captain Liam Reynolds refuses to belittle his rivals.
"We're always saying at this level, anyone can score runs at any given time. We can't take a backward step at all. We've got to keep doing what we do well," he said.
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