Skipper Paul O’Donnell is wary ahead of his side’s clash with ninth-ranked Timboon Gold on Saturday.

The reigning premier has a 9-2 win-loss record entering the first round since the Christmas-New Year break.

“We’ve had our ups and downs again this year and have been beaten by sides outside the top four both times, by Dennington and Port Fairy in the last round prior to Christmas.

“It brings you back down to earth. The competition is that close that if you don’t play 100 per cent, you get rolled.

“Hopefully that will spark us up to play Timboon. They are always hard to beat down there.”

Warrnambool Gold will be without Shayne Pudney and Mick McCallum but O’Donnell believes the powerhouse has the depth to cover the pair.

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