Timboon Demons will be bolstered by the return of three experienced heads for their critical encounter against Merrivale.
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Key defender James Plant, wingman Andy Clements and Jeff Rosolin, who returns to senior football after two years away, were all named in the Demons’ side for Saturday’s clash.
“I’m quite happy with the balance we have,” coach Mick Hunt said of his side on Thursday night.
“Andy is a good all round player for us. He can go forward, back and on a wing too. He has played a lot of footy and will shore us up.
“Planty is our full back and Jeff is a very capable footballer who hasn't played much footy in the last few years but he has been having a kick in the twos and his form has been really good.”
Ben Harding (knee), Luke Smith and Luke Osborne are the ones to miss this weekend.
Merrivale has also made three changes to its side which collected the four points over Dennington last Saturday.
Prolific goal kicker Kyden Jarvis, Claye Cassidy and Matthew Dowd return to the Tigers side, while Sam Gleeson, James Fary and James Kelly are all out.
Old Collegians coach Josh Reichman was pleased to welcome back experienced players in ruckman Scott Lenehan (quad), forward Josh Stapleton (illness) and inside midfielder Josh Dwyer as his side prepares to play Dennington after its bye.
“This time of year it’s good to get some experienced heads back into the side and get the team settled for finals.” he said.
“It’s been hard with the byes and a few injuries the last couple of weeks but we aren’t far away from getting back to a full-strength side.
“A couple of the boys who go out this week (Jacob Malone, Ryan Dorling and Zach Brooks) are a bit stiff and probably deserved another game but we didn’t want to make too many changes in one week.
“We felt that as we start to get a full list we didn’t just want to go bang and make seven or eight changes.”
The Dogs make three changes with Tully Allwood the big out for Jacob Rhodes’ side with John Vincent and Sean Fogarty the other omissions. Joby Baker, Reggie Barling and Luke Pearson are Dennington’s inclusions.
East Warrnambool and Kolora-Noorat are the other two teams coming off byes.
The Power’s opponent Nirranda has made one change with Brady Kew replacing Will Paulin (hamstring) while South Rovers has made two changes with Jake Butler and Tyler O'Sullivan-Kirchner returning for the Lions’ game against the Bombers.
Russells Creek has made three changes for its clash against Panmure, which has made four alterations to its senior side.