For the second time this season against the Burras, Ararat finished the match without any interchange rotations after suffering a string of injuries throughout the match, which culminated in a 11.71 (83) to 1.4 (10) defeat.

Key midfielder Harry Ganley headlines the Rats' casualty list after injuring his hip during a heavy collision in the second term, while Jon Noy was taken to hospital with suspected ligament damage to his ankle and veteran Will Bell strained his hamstring.

Adding to the Rats' woes was the report of Peter Thompson for striking Minyip/Murtoa's marquee player Clinton Midgely late in the day.

Ararat joint-coach David Hosking said the report soured what was an otherwise solid performance from the fiery defender.

"We don't have many blokes in their 20s who are as strong bodied as Peter, so we really need him in the team.

"Other than the report what we got from Peter on the weekend was a valuable, experienced, tough footballer.

"He was strong over the footy and held his ground well. A lot of other players walk a bit taller when he is part of the team, so we just need him to channel his aggression at the football and at the opposition when they've got the ball with correct tackles and that kind of thing."

The Rats were on the back foot before the match even began, with Jack Ganley withdrawing before the first bounce due to illness.

It was a low scoring opening quarter with the Burras breaking through with the first goal of the day at the three minute mark, before both teams struggled to make the most of their opportunities in the slippery conditions.

Jake Williamson did his best to stamp some authority on the match in the second quarter, winning the ball numerous times around the stoppages, however Minyip/Murtoa continued to find ways to hurt the Rats on the counterattack.

The ball spent the majority of the term in the Burras' forward half and although the visitors were inaccurate - kicking 2.8 for the quarter - Hosking said he sensed the match had slipped out of the Rats' reach by the main break.

"I really felt the game was all over at halftime even though we were only four or so goals down at that point," he said.

"I don't think we'd kicked a goal at that stage and then in order to get back into the match we would have had to score four unanswered goals, so Andrew and I knew it was going to be a struggle."

By the time Ararat broke through for its first major of the afternoon late in the third quarter, courtesy of a long range shot from Thompson, the damage had well and truly been done.

Minyip/Murtoa added three goals in the third term, then backed that up with a strong finish and five unanswered goals in the fourth to help maintain third postion on the ladder.

Hosking said while his defenders held up well under enormous pressure, allowing the opposition 28 scoring shots on such a wet day was unsatisfactory.

"Our backline was particularly good and they have been that way for most of the year," he said.

"But in saying that the amount of scoring shots that Minyip/Murtoa generated on a day that was not good for football was probably the most disappointing aspect of the match.

“It wasn’t just the backline’s fault for that though, it was across the ground. Perhaps the injuries caused the high number of scoring shots in the end — There were plenty of guys who were fatigued by the finish.”

Hosking said it was no surprise to see the Rats’ top six players were all mature bodied, experienced

campaigners, with Nick Maddison, Alan Batchelor and Aaron Searle leading the way.

“Billy (Maddison) has been a great player for our footy club and a great leader,” he said.

“Just his ability to lead, both by instruction and by blokes watching what he does, that’s one of the main reasons why our backline can hold up so well under pressure.

“I had Searle right up there as one of the best players on the field, he battled hard all day and Alan was just Alan.

“The conditions probably weren’t quite right for him, but that just shows the class of player he is to be still right up there in the top performers on the day.”

Nick Brain continued his run of form and Hosking said he feels the versatile player is starting to find his feet in Wimmera football.

“At the moment where he’s best suited is playing in the backline. Just the way he attacks the ball and uses his body well is really good,” he said.

“I’d also give honourable mentions to our ruckmen, Alex (Brain) and Zach (Louder). I thought they did well given it wasn’t the best day to be a tall.”