The Ararat Rats face their toughest test yet when they host the undefeated Horsham Demons in a round seven blockbuster match-up on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Rats sit second on the ladder and will move to level on points with the Demons if they can continue their impressive record on their home ground.
The home team has been one of the big improvers this season with just one loss to its name so far this year.
Ararat coach Shane Fisher said the team is excited about the match but is trying to remain level-headed about its prospects.
“We are keeping it pretty level, we have certainly made some improvement but it will only take one week to undo that against Horsham,” he said.
“I always analyse to think how they are going to try and beat us and their experience could be telling.”
The Rats have not beaten Horsham since 2003 with the losing streak one of the longest in the league.
Fisher said he is confident the team can continue its strong form in Ararat.
“Confident we will have everything in place to play the way we have, but Horsham’s defence has limited their opponents to really low scores, so we will need to be wary of that," he said.
“I would love to have a shootout with Horsham, just overall I am just hoping for a consistent effort.”
Ararat will be forced to make changes to the team for Saturday’s match with some players unlikely to come up from the bruising encounter against Minyip-Murtoa.
Greater Western Victoria Rebels squad member Jayden Wright will return to the Rats while Jack Ganley is unlikely to return for another week.
For Horsham, the equation is simple – win and the Demons move two games clear at the top of the ladder going into the team’s first bye for the season.
Demons coach Deek Roberts said his team is up to the test against Ararat and will go all out to go into the week off with a win.
“It has been a really good build up, we have and a few similar games like this in the past month, so it should be good,” he said.
“It is a great time for this type of match, we have the bye next week so we can lay it all on the line against Ararat.”
Roberts said the Rats had certainly improved with the team wary of the new game style the team is playing.
“if you’re willing to move the ball fast and have a quick turn of foot, it shows in the Wimmera league,” he said.
“It is very hard to lockdown at Alexandra Oval, so just have to defend really well as a team. Both teams are fairly good with contested footy, so it should be a good game to watch.”
The Demons should take a similar team into the match against Ararat which defeated Nhill in round six.
