Roosters captain Darcy Wilson expects her youth-laden team to push pace-setter Hamilton Kangaroos in their high stakes A grade battle at Friendly Societies’ Park on Saturday.

South Warrnambool is one of five sides – from second to sixth – fighting for four finals spots. 

North Warrnambool Eagles, Camperdown and the Roosters are locked on 44 points. Terang Mortlake has 42 to its credit and Koroit 40.

Wilson, 17, said the Roosters backed themselves in against the undefeated Kangaroos.

“Everyone is feeling really good. We’re all pumped up for it,” she said.

“We think we match up pretty well with them and have to go out there and be relentless.”

South Warrnambool, which could still snare a top-five berth if it lost and the Magpies accounted for the Saints, has relished playing in an even competition.

“We have really had to step up the last three weeks,” Wilson said.

“It’s been do-or-die and it’s been really good to know we can take it to a teams who have been together a long time.

“Usually at this time of year everyone knows who is going to be in the top three.”

Wilson expects to line up on  Roos Ally Feely.

“We are similar in height. I have played on her a few times and rate her as one of the better centres in the league,” she said.

The Emmanuel College student took on the Roosters’ captaincy this season. Wilson said it was a role she respected and embraced.

“I have really loved it. It’s been really good to shoulder that,” she said. 

“I’d played juniors here so it was a really a privilege to be named captain.

“We are all good friends so we can have open conversations about what needs to be done and what needs to change. It’s all in the open.”