The Rats make the trip north to take on a winless Roos outfit. Dimboola has a percentage of little more than 15 per cent, but Rats coach Shane Fisher is not taking the opposition lightly.

“We go up there and take them on their merit,” he said.

“We know what we need to do to get the four points and we don’t go up there thinking we have already won the match.

“Our mentality is much better which shows how we have matured this season.”

The Rats sit in second spot with a firm grip on a top three place with seven rounds remaining. Fisher said despite his side’s good form they are not taking anything for granted just yet.

“At the start of the year we set a goal of playing in a final and if we keep winning games we have a good opportunity to play at least two,” he said.

“We know we have a tough month ahead of us and nothing is guaranteed at this time. A top three spot is a good motivator for us.”

The Rats will mix things up this weekend, with Fisher handing the reins over to assistant coach Daniel Mendes this weekend to coach the group.

“I am a big believer in developing not just players but coaches too. This will be a good chance for Dan to have a go at coaching,” he said.

“We will also shake things up a bit on the field and probably play a few different guys on the ball.”