David Hosking says the Ararat Rats' clash with Wimmera Football League ladder leader Horsham tomorrow is the perfect opportunity to snap a two game losing streak and consolidate its position in the top five.
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The Rats head into the match coming off a disappointing fortnight, which has seen them lose back-to-back games against fellow finals' contenders the Horsham Saints and Minyip/Murtoa dropping to fifth on the ladder in the process.
Hosking said the team has the personnel and capability to defeat the Demons, they just need to take their chances and make their own luck.
"I think it is an opportunity to possibly put some space between us and Dimboola, while at the same time try and close the gap between us and Horsham and the other teams above us," he said.
"I believe we are a very good chance of winning because last time we played them I know we were playing good footy at that time but we matched up pretty well, so I think we are equipped to win the game."
If they say a week's a long time in football, then it must seem like an eternity to Hosking and Andrew Louder since Ararat took on the Demons in round five.
That match was billed as a top of the table clash, with both sides at the time fighting to maintain their unblemished records.
Horsham overcame a 10-point deficit at three quarter time to claim a hard fought victory by 16 points, while Ararat had to settle for an honourable loss and the respect it won from the opposition little consolation.
"I think what we probably learnt from that match was that the Horsham guys have great belief in themselves," Hosking said.
"When the game got really tight, because they have been so good for so long, their belief in their ability to get the job done and get over the line was pretty strong.
"It is something that we haven't developed yet, but that has come from years of Horsham playing in important games, grand finals and that sort of thing.
"We have got to look at the results we have had this year against good sides and understand that we aren't far away, they just have to learn to be consistent over four quarters."
Ararat will receive a serious injection of firepower back into its forward line tomorrow with the return of Beau Cosson and Liam Cavanagh, who both impressed with VicCountry last weekend.
Last year's leading goal kicker James Laidlaw is also a possibility to return to bolster the Rats' attack, however defenders Xavier Vearing (ankle) and Peter Thompson (back) may be sidelined for another week.
The Rats' most consistent contributor this season, Dan Mendes will be eager to replicate his performance from earlier in the year against the Demons, where he was named best on ground despite receiving plenty of focus from the Horsham taggers.
Hosking said the classy midfielder is a prime example of how to go about your business and still have an influence when the opposition is looking to shut you down.
"Dan is an experienced player and he is used to getting plenty of attention, but he is still in our best players week-in, week-out, so honestly I will pretty much leave him to his own devices because he knows how to deal with it," he said.
"He is a great example to the young guys, because he plays under enormous pressure each week and the way that he counters it and deals with it is that he does the basics and he does them properly all the time.
“Is he a superstar? No. Does he take great big hangers? No. Is he dirty? Not at all. He is none of that, he is just honest — hard work, four quarters, grinds away.”
Based on results already in 2014, Ararat will be favoured to win its final two matches of the home and away season against Nhill and Stawell, however Hosking said that won’t be enough to guarantee a finals’ berth and at least another victory must come in the next three weeks against the Demons, Warrack Eagles or Dimboola.
“Obviously as a coach I would like to win all three, but honestly we should be able to win two out of the three at a minimum,” he said
“My view is that the 21 blokes that we put out on the park are good enough, it just comes down to how we play.
“So it all starts this week.”