Ararat will be looking to keep its spot in the League’s top four after suffering three successive losses. There is a log-jam in the middle of the ladder with Stawell, Dimboola and Nhill all jostling for fifth position. 

Nhill has won its past two matches, edging out Stawell at Davis Park and thumping Warrick Eagles on their home turf. A win to the Tigers this weekend will put them just one game behind Ararat, so a win to the Rats is vital and assistant co-coach, Brad Haslett, knows it. 

“I believe they (Nhill) have picked up a few more players since we last played them and have shown improvement over the middle half of the year,” Haslett said. 

“Nhill are up and about and are going to be very, very competitive. We’ll need to bring our ‘A’ game to match it.”

Ararat is set to be bolstered by the return of Beau Cosson in the forward line as well as defender Ryan Bates, while Jake Williamson (broken hand) is close to making a comeback.  

However it is bad news for James Laidlaw, who will miss with a hamstring injury that forced him from the field in the Rats’ loss to Minyip Murtoa, and it is feared that it is worse than first thought. 

Ararat is hoping to erase the memories of its poor showing against the Burras prior to the split round bye.

Justin Summons had been a stand out in the ruck in previous weeks and will be called upon again to help win the ball out of the middle, while Gordon Laurie is a dangerous forward. 

“He (Laurie) has been presenting well. We just need to get more run out of the midfield and help from our small forwards. Also, our onballers need to work both ways, forward and back,” Haslett said.

“We’re under no illusions that it’s going to be easy. They’re fighting for fifth and we’re trying to hang onto fourth so we’ve got to win.”