Wimmera-Mail Times | WARRACK EAGLES are growing in confidence ahead of Saturday’s clash against Stawell at Anzac Park, with coach Dan Krahe citing consistency as the key to notching their maiden win of the season.
The Eagles have shown glimpses of good football over the past few weeks, and Krahe said it was a matter of producing those glimpses for longer periods.
"We've got our hopes up again," he said.
"We're confident enough that if we put together a four-quarter effort we can come away with the win.
"The last couple of games we've shown we can play one good quarter but we've had too many lapses."
Krahe said the mental aspect of the match was significant.
"This week it's more about the concentration and mindset - keeping everyone switched on throughout training and the match."
The Eagles are likely to welcome back Tim Downes and Jamie Whitehead.
Luke Hendy and David Morris will be likely inclusions for the Warriors as they look to respond to a poor showing against Ararat in round nine.
Jack Musgrove is a chance to move forward for the Warriors after settling in defence.
Interim coach Brad Thomas said there was an expectation his side would stick to its structures.
"We'll have to play our best football to take the points," he said.
"We have no excuses for a poor performance. We need to be harder for longer to give ourselves the best chance."
Ararat v Saints
ARARAT coach David Hosking hopes the Rats have learned from their previous 103-point belting at the hands of Horsham Saints.
The Rats take on the ladder-leaders tomorrow at Alexandra Oval, and Hosking had a strong message for his players.
"If you don't come ready to play from the first bounce you're going to get badly mauled," he said.
"The first thing we learned from last time is that they're a really good football team."
The Rats will be without Gordon Laurie, who was rubbed out for one week after round nine.
Jake Williamson will miss, as will Alexander and James Laidlaw.
There is some good news for the Rats though, with Brayden Ferguson returning from a broken ankle and Justin Summons back in the line-up.
Hosking said he was pleased with the Rats’ 6-3 record but said there had been inconsistencies.
“We've played some okay football, we've played some good football, but we’ve played some bad football too,” he said.
“We've got some tough games coming up, but it is what it is.
“But all that form is in the past and on Saturday its 0-0 and away we go.”