The Tigers meet Old Collegians at Davidson Oval in a Good Friday showdown.

It is the only Warrnambool and District league match scheduled, with the third-versus-fourth battle expected to draw a large crowd.

Dwyer said Merrivale was “expecting a tough contest”.

“I think it will be pretty tight in the midfield,” he said. “We have looked to run and carry the ball, especially from the back line, use the middle of the ground, switch and use first options.

“If we can get on top in the midfield and get the footy to our forward line, we have some pretty handy forwards who might pose a few headaches.”

Dwyer said Sam Gleeson and Al Porter had made strong starts to the season, winning the ball and using it well.

Old Collegians coach Daryl Beechey said the Warriors needed to respond after their first loss of the season to Allansford last week.

Beechey said the Tigers were a well-drilled side.

“They will try and move it quickly and they have a few good targets to hit up,” he said.

“We’ll try and nullify that and play our game when we’ve got the ball.

“I’d like to hope we’re harder at the ball and get first use.”

The Warriors collected the wooden spoon in 2013 after a winless season.

They appointed Beechey to help turn their fortunes around and bolstered their list with recruits.

Beechey said Old Collegians’ opening wins against Nirranda and Kolora-Noorat gave the new-look side confidence.

He said Aaron Williams and Jacob Dunkley had been among the Warriors’ best in the opening three rounds.

Tiger defender Jack Gleeson will miss with an ankle injury. The teenager is in plaster and is expected to miss between six and eight weeks.

Nathan McInerney will replace in him the back line.

Old Collegians lost Scott Williams to a leg injury.