Nick Whiting, Kelby White, Will Templeton, Matt Hausler and Aaron Moyne will play against perennial grand finalist Warrnambool on Saturday.

“Daniel Harrington is out for a month now and he is an important player for us,” Dowie said.

“We are undermanned a little bit so in a way it gives our younger players and guys trying to find their feet (experience) as we’re getting games into them.

“Because of the situation we are in, they are getting continuity into their football – every cloud has a silver lining.”

Koroit is wary of a Warrnambool side coming off three straight losses. Dowie was loathe to label the Blues’ predicament a form slump.

“Warrnambool is a proud club. We know they will come out with a bit of a point to prove and will want to turn things around.”

Warrnambool coach John Cook said the Blues were refreshed after the bye and ready to launch into the final seven rounds of the season.

“As I said to the boys, all of our numbers are positive – our tackles have increased, our forward entries are good and most of our stoppage stuff is okay,” he said.

“We’ve just got to put the ball through the big sticks. It’s not a slump, we just haven’t taken our opportunities when they’ve presented.

“There’s no mystery to the game plan – it’s about accountability.”