Skipper Paul O’Donnell said the unbeaten side, which meets City Memorial Red in a grand final rematch today, had a host of new faces in its team and was still adjusting to the changes.

Shane Dalton, Neville Lynch, Tom Pemberton, Michael Steel, Pat Kelly, Allan Sullivan and Tasmanian recruit Ben Cornick have all come into Warrnambool’s top team.

“And we’ve had a few positional changes with the guys that are still left there,” O’Donnell said.

“Last week against Koroit we had eight new faces. It is a settling down period for us.

“We are still finding our feet and are getting used to each other.”

City Memorial Red has endured a tough start to the season, notching one win and a draw from its first four games.

But O’Donnell is expecting a fierce contest today.

The two outfits have developed a long and decorated history of down-to-the-wire finishes. 

“Especially on City’s home turf, we’re expecting a close game,” O’Donnell said.

He said Warrnambool Gold’s quest for another flag faced a number of big obstacles. He believes the race is well and truly open this season.

“Koroit have improved out of sight, City Red have to settle their side and will have a fair chance, Port Fairy is doing well and Timboon are doing well, so there are a host of teams vying for top four,” he said.

“And our Blues and Whites are doing well as well.” 

In other round five fixtures, bottom-placed Lawn Tennis Red will attempt to break its losing streak when it hosts Dennington Red, Terang Green and Port Fairy Red will meet in an intriguing battle, Warrnambool Blue hosts big improver Koroit Blue and Timboon Gold plays third-placed City Memorial Gold at home.

Warrnambool White played Mortlake Blue last night to avoid a clash with the Mortlake races.