Coming off their best game for the season, the Southern Mallee Giants will take confidence into the clash against Ouyen United this week.
The Giants will be hoping last week's crushing defeat of an out of form Roos outfit will be the spark to ignite a turn-around in what has been a lack-luster start to the year.
The Giants have made a few positional changes to their side since round one and are getting results. Sam Weddell moving to half back, Riley Norris to a wing and the inclusion of Luke Mahony have been instrumental to their improvement.
However, Luke Mahony will need to prove his fitness after sitting out the second half last week and Simon Cook also looks unlikely with a leg injury.
Michael Saunders has been a rock for the Giants in the absence of Cook. He gives everything as an undersized ruckman to enable his onballers a chance for first use.
This match was evenly poised until three quarter time in their last outing. The Demon's eventually proved too strong, their depth of young talent coming to the fore. The McGlynn's may be unavailable for the visitors this week and both have had an impact in their wins thus far.
Laurence Angwin and Bradley Vallance have proven to be a tough combination to match up on. Their strength in contested marking and accurate kicking for goal, will again give the Demons a great opportunity to kick a winning score.
This will be a great test for the Giants to see if they are able to match it with the top 3.
Game two will see Woomelang Lascelles host Walpeup Underbool. The Roos may have seen last week as their best chance for a win but were dealt a blow to their confidence by the Giants.
The prospect of losing Ben Fisher and Ryan Anderson will certainly not help their cause, but hope to have at least one of their injured players return. Mathew Palmer and Brad Dabrowski will be close to rejoining the Roos' line up to bolster stocks.
They will be playing with a 'nothing to lose' attitude. Joint coach Shane Birss will be leading by example and will hope to have some followers. Winning and maintaining possession will be a focus for the winless Roos, however this will prove difficult against a talented Cats team.
Arnold Kirby will be welcomed back into the side after representative duties last week. Josh Ratcliffe will be glad to have his partner back as it will allow him to rest forward. This often creates a mismatch and Ratcliffe will kick and set-up goals for his team.
The Cats will be looking to get back to a solid four-quarter performance after ill-discipline let them down during two quarters last week. They won't want to lose touch with the top 2 so they will be out to win, and win well.
By Dale Shannon