The last time the two sides met was under lights at Alexandra Oval on Anzac Day, where the Rats took honours by 29 points in wet and windy conditions.

Ararat has won three of its six matches since then, while the Warriors have been impressive, yet unlucky having lost to Dimboola (four points) and Minyip/Murtoa (three) in close ones that followed.

Hosking believes Stawell's results don't give a true indication of how much the side has developed in recent seasons and has urged the Rats to be prepared for a tough challenge from the outset or risk playing catch up all day.

"They are getting better all the time and in the past couple of years we have given them four goal leads or thereabouts, but have been able to peg the score back to win the game," Hosking said.

"Well the way they are improving, if we keep giving them four goal leads eventually one day we aren't going to catch them.

"We've really got to be up and about early."

Ararat will again be missing key players for this clash.

Although Brady Miller's three week suspension is over, a knee injury may prevent the defender from getting back on the field. James Laidlaw will have to spend another match on the sidelines as he overcomes concussion, while versatile tall Justin Summons is unavailable.

Mick Fratin, who injured his knee during the last outing against the Warriors, is expected to slot back into the senior side after impressing in his comeback with the reserves last week.

Bernie Peoples is also likely to be included as a replacement for Summons and can give in-form ruckman Xavier Vearing a chop out through the centre and around the ground.

Hosking said Ararat's ruckmen will play an important role against Stawell, given the home side's strength at stoppages evident in last week's performance against the Horsham Demons where the Warriors won the clearances and inside-50 count.

"They are a good stoppage team that hits the ball at pace through blokes like (Tom) Eckle, (Cam) Kimber, (Brenton) Potter," he said.

"Jack Ganley's ability to hurt teams on the scoreboard (averaging two goals a game) and the fact that he is just a fierce competitor is exactly what I'll need from him at those stoppages against Stawell.

"He hates losing anything and together with Alan (Batchelor) who is very good instructionally and Jake (Robinson) who has a natural sense about where the footy is going, I think they will give a good contest."

Key defender Liam Cavanagh will have another big role to play as he looks to negate the influence of Stawell’s leading goal kicker Shane Field.

Hosking said he is extremely happy with the maturity and progress Cavanagh has shown in the backline this season.

“Here is the thing we do with Liam, because he is playing interleague football and playing for VicCountry, we assume he’s a finished product as a footballer,” he said.

“He is actually nowhere near it. He is constantly evolving and there is still a lot of improvement left in him and we forget that he is 19-20 years old.

“Cav is a really good player, but gee if he keeps improving at the rate he is, well he is going to be a ripper.”

Hosking set his team a ‘pass mark’ a fortnight ago to win the next two matches before the bye. The Rats have ticked the first box with a 61-point victory over the Warrack Eagles, but the job is only half done.

“We are at five and three and I don’t think we have been anywhere near our best at any time. I guess that is a positive,” Hosking said.

“What I am looking for in the second half is that our line-up will become more settled and stable.

“We need the players to take more ownership of what we are doing and be prepared to take another step up in terms of work effort if we are to become a consistently good footy team.”