It was against the Diggers in round five that the Rats last recorded victory by nine points, but there has been little joy on field for the emerging team since then.

Ararat joint coach Andrew Louder is hoping a return to Alexandra Oval and the predicted drier conditions will help his team turn its fortunes around.

"If we play our best football for four quarters I think we can win comfortably, but if we play the way we have been the last couple of weeks then it is going to be a scrappy contest," he said.

"We can't for one second underestimate the Diggers' endeavour, they will be in the game for longer than anyone will probably give them credit.

"The same old things need to be done right Follow structures and play well as a team.

"We have to use the space we have at our home ground well and run and carry the ball, hopefully it will be dry enough to do that."

While the Rats have lost versatile tall Bernie Peoples to an ankle injury, the home side will welcome back young gun Harry Ganley from a one week club imposed suspension.

Louder said Ganley's return would inject some speed into the onball brigade, which needs to be on song from the opening bounce.

"Harry gives us a bit more bite through the midfield and around the packs so he will be a good inclusion," he said.

"First use out of the midfield is critical. I think we've been beaten out of the centre the last few weeks, so the boys need to be switched on early and be prepared for the Diggers to come down fired up."

With three matches under his belt Dan Vearing should be starting to find his feet and Louder and David Hosking will be looking for their number one ruckman to fire tomorrow.

The last time the two teams met former Tatyoon premiership player Damian Cameron almost single-handily willed the Diggers over the line.

Finding someone who can perform a shutdown role on Cameron is the first step to ensuring a Rats' win, with Liam Cavanagh, Aaron Searle or Brady Miller the likely options.

"He is a quality player, no doubt about that," Louder said.

"If we can keep him quiet then that will go some way to helping us win the game, it is just a matter of finding the right match up."

The Rats are currently sitting in seventh position on the ladder with just two wins to their name.

Louder said with matches against three of the top five teams to come in the final month of the home and away season, it makes victory tomorrow even more significant.

"I think a win this week is really important for the team's morale going forward," he said.

"We've got some tough matches ahead. I think the Demons are the best team we've played this year and we have them next week, then Nhill in Nhill which is never easy, but we have the potential to beat them.

"The following week it's Warrack down here, which we can also win if we play our best football over four quarters. Then Dimboola to finish it off.

"So there are still some tough matches to come, but also some winnable ones too."