Saints have been in fine form coming into the contest, defeating cross-town rivals Horsham Demons in devastating style in round 11.

Saints coach Shayne Breuer said that he was happy with how his young side had been improving. 

“We are in good form but Ararat have been showing great improvement since our round five clash,” he said. 

The last time the two sides met, Saints triumphed, winning by 46 points at Alexandra Oval.

Breuer said the Rats side had recruited several new players since the last meeting. 

“They had a great game against Stawell. This is an important game for both clubs,” he said. 

“Our conversion has been shocking and that seems to be an ongoing issue. We see plenty of the ball but have struggled with conversion.” 

The Saints team has several players away with personal commitments, which has forced Breuer to make four changes to the side that defeated the Demons. 

“It gives our younger or reserve guys the opportunity to prove themselves, but I would like to be getting some sort of consistency at this point in the season,” Breuer said. 

“This will be a tough game. The way the top five is shaping up we need to come away with a win.” 

Rats were involved in a close tussle against arch rivals Stawell Warriors in round 11, but fell just short of the travelling team. 

Ararat coach David Hosking said he believed Saints were one of the top sides in the competition. 

“I think this game the Saints will not be as inaccurate as they have previously in the season,” he said. 

“In retrospect, their record is better than ours and we are coming into this contest as the underdogs.

“We were upset to be dealt a loss last week but I think we have been playing some very good football, hopefully we can give them something to think about.” 

Hosking said the recent inclusions to the side have been a boost. 

Stephen Phillips and James Laidlaw are out this weekend but the Rats gain Alan Batchelor and Alan Haslett. 

“We have been looking at key match ups but we respect the whole team and think every opposition player has their better attributes,” Hosking said. 

“I can see continuity in the squad and the guys are started to play a good rhythm of football. Hopefully our current momentum can push us over the line.”