Since breaking through for their first win of the year in round seven against Woorndoo/Mortlake, the Eagles have been on the wrong end of some hefty losing margins and the team's resilience has been tested.

Wemyss said his side has shown glimpses of what it is capable of, particularly in matches against finals' contenders Hawkesdale/Macarthur and Lismore/Derrinallum, along with the in-form SM&W Rovers last week the aim now is to sustain that effort for longer.

"We have had some fairly big losses recently, but there have been times during the game that we have still been playing really well and I am always keen to point that out to the players and keep their heads up," he said.

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“When we are doing the things we know we should be doing, then we really compete hard against the other teams.

“We can match it for periods of time against these good teams, so if we go at it with the right attitude and the right frame of mind then we can definitely come away with the win here.”

What hasn’t helped the Eagles’ cause has been the injuries of several of their key position players including full-forward Brent Bulger, centre-half forward James Dalkin and another tall in James Sutherland, while the club’s best player Tom Taurau has been tied up with North Ballarat Rebels’ duties since May.

Wemyss said those absentees have been tough to cover, but there are two players that have particularly impressed the coach.

“Taking key players out of our side, which is already young and inexperienced makes it tough, but there are always positive signs in every game,” he said.

“Mark Coole is relishing the role of running through the midfield while also pinch hitting in defence and the forward line.

“He has been exceptional the last month especially, just his real hard approach to the football and at contests.

“Another one is Shaun North, he has had a couple of knee injuries the last couple of years, but he is playing like he hasn’t missed a game.

“A really top young kid and I think about three years ago he finished second in our best and fairest as an 18-year-old who missed half that season with his initial knee injury, so he is really showing the calibre of player he can be at the moment.”

Earlier in the season the Lions proved far too strong for the Eagles coming away easy winners.

With a host of Great Western’s top line players set to return for this clash, the Lions will go in expecting nothing short of a much needed victory in front of their loyal home crowd. 

Likely inclusions for Great Western include Danny Grellet, Lachie Malloy and Lachie Green, as well as captain Brett Dowie, all of whom will add plenty to the depth of the side.

While there is only pride on the line for the Mininera’s two newest teams, neither the Eagles or Lions will be taking this contest lightly.

“It is a friendly rivalry we have with Great Western and we want to develop that further,” Wemyss said.

“We got the first couple of wins and they have got the last three, so it would be nice to get the evener on the weekend.”

The stakes are much higher in the match between premiership favourites Moyston/Willaura and the second placed Hawkesdale/Macarthur.

If the Pumas can manage to maintain their perfect record on the road this season, then the victory would allow the side to move two games clear atop the ladder, however that outcome won’t come easy with the Southern Eagles oozing class across all areas of the ground.

Moyston/Willaura defenders led by Tyson Carr and coach Trent Fiscalini must get on top of Hawkesdale’s goal kickers in Charles Neild, Danny Chatfield and Lachlan Glare early or risk the match turning into a shoot out.

It is no secret that Moyston/Willaura boasts the best forward line in the competition, but its midfield is also carving its own reputation as an onball brigade to be revered.

Josh Bywater, Luke Thomas, Lynden Brewis and company are all firing and at their impressive best, which should be enough to keep the winning run going.

Tatyoon looks to have overcome a midseason hiccup following two confidence boosting wins over lowly ranked teams.

The Hawks will face stiffer competition tomorrow in the form of a Caramut unit that is desperate to keep its finals’ hopes alive after dropping out of the top five.

With Brodie Mines and Kye Chapple seeing plenty of the ball and Steven Butler seemingly unstoppable up forward, Tatyoon should continue to press for a top three finish with a win over the Swans.

SM&W Rovers has been impressive in the past month with four straight wins, but three of those victories have been against lesser ranked teams.

The Bulldogs will need to channel the same determination they had to defeat Tatyoon three weeks ago when the side hosts Penshurst.

The continued form of power forwards Sam O’Brien and Billie Leskosek will be key to Rovers’ success, but the pair can’t do it alone and will need support to come from capable scorers in Andrew Toan and Rhys Cahir.

Rounding out this weekend’s matches will be Wickliffe/Lake Bolac up against Woorndoo/Mortlake and Nic Willox’s men will have no problems accounting for the Tigers, while Lismore/Derrinallum should keep in touch with the top five following a win against Glenthompson/Dunkeld.

Umpire appointments

Great Western v Ararat (GW): 

Chris Butler and Greg McKinnis

SMW Rovers v Penshurst (at Min): 

Paul Spriggs and David Reynolds

Lis/Derri v Glen/Dunk (at Lis): 

Ballarat Umpires