NTFA Division 1: Round six preview

The side will face UTAS at home; coach Colin Lockhart said the good start in spite of injuries will hold them in good stead for the rest of the season.

"The boys have been doing a really good job ... our depth's been proven to be very good this year," he said.

"Hopefully over the next couple of weeks we'll start getting some players back through the twos and then we'll have a really strong second half of the year."

No strangers to having a target on their backs, Lockhart was confident his side would continue to produce.

"You'd be an idiot not to realise every club's going for you," he said.

"We're in no illusion - we've got a lot of work to do still and we know sides will come to us."

Lilydale will face a UTAS team hunting for its first win, after receiving a 75-point shellacking from Bridport in round five. UTAS coach Brodie Tiernan said his team learned from the loss and hoped to bounce back in round six.

ST PATS will put a 33-point beating from Old Launcestonians behind them as they face a MEANDER VALLEY side full of momentum.

"They [OLFC] jumped us from the start ... they played a really good brand of football and we just couldn't break that lead," St Pats coach Jake Lowe said.

"Every time we kicked a goal and got a bit of momentum, they found a way to come back and kick scores themselves."

The Suns, on the other hand, are flying high after downing Evandale for the first time in team history last round.

"It was fantastic to get that win ... it's been nine years in the making - it's a long time," Meander Valley coach Damien Rhind said.

The Suns are also yet to win a match against the Saints, Rhind said his team were cautiously optimistic about their chances this weekend.

"It's a massive opportunity but also a massive challenge," he said.

"The key to success ... is to be able to build that pressure around the ball and put on some fantastic tackles - that's what we'll be looking to bring this week."

After a tough loss to St Pats followed by a bye, OLD SCOTCH will get back into action against BRIDPORT in the North-East. The injury-ridden loss to the Saints put a damper on the retirement of long-time Collegian Alex McKenzie; coach Brayley Coombes said the bye came at the right time.

"We had a pretty grueling match against St Pats ... with the 12-day sit-out rule it's probably worked in our favour having that week off," he said.

The side welcomes back key forward and captain Jonty Swallow and Will Harper who return from concussions.

OLD LAUNCESTONIANS coach Laine Cleaver said he was happy with the side's win over the Saints, and was keen to build on that against PERTH.

"We can't just have a one-off good game and then fall away, we need to continue to build on that form," he said.

Coming off a bye, Perth coach Danny Bennett said his side was eager to get back to winning after their round four victory over UTAS.

"They'll [OLFC] be up and about but if we continue to stick to our process and our structure, we'll be fine," he said. After losing to the Demons, EAST COAST will go up against EVANDALE at Morven Park.

Swans coach Gene Savage said his squad were disappointed in their effort against Lilydale, and said they were focussed on getting back to early season form.

"We'll look to get back to playing the football we have been from previous rounds - if we can do that the results will take care of themselves," he said.