The Rats will be strong favourites to continue their five-match unbeaten streak when the Southern Mallee Giants make the long road trip to Ararat on Saturday.

Horsham takes on ladder leaders Warrack Eagles, and a loss could open the door for the Rats to move from third, where they sit on equal points with the Demons, into second.

Despite the difference in ladder standings, with the Giants at the bottom of the table, the corresponding contest earlier in the season was very tight.

Ararat has shown continued development and improvement throughout the season and will be hoping to build on that scoreline at the weekend.

Meanwhile, for the first time in nearly two years, Stawell’s A Grade side will go into a match off the back of a victory.

The Warriors take on Horsham Saints at home on Saturday riding a wave of momentum they have not felt since August 2016.

Stawell defeated Nhill last weekend and will be hoping their form from that game can carry across to this weekend.

The Saints are in a delicate situation, sitting in fifth spot on the ladder, only four points clear of a competitive Dimboola side.

The visitors will be hoping for a strong offensive showing at Central Park on Saturday, with their highest score of the season so far coming against Stawell back in round three.