The Demons face reigning premier Nirranda on Saturday before they take on first-placed Kolora-Noorat and recruit-loaded Merrivale.

Hickey said he was excited to play the Blues at Timboon Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

"It's going to be a really good test for our young guys, especially," he said.

"We're in a bit of a rebuild phase at the moment.

"The more big games we can get into those guys, the better it will be for the club."

Hickey said he rated Nirranda as "probably the yardstick of the comp for the past three to four years."

Timboon Demons' star recruit Ethan Dalton will play against his former side for the first time on Saturday.

Hickey said the centre half-forward had given the Demons "a real target to kick to" and would be important in the Blues clash.

The Demons mentor said the focus of his side's "big month" was to be competitive.

"We just want to be really competitive and get these big games into kids and know going forward it's going to be better for them,' he said.

"I think it's a developmental block more than anything and learning from those good sides."

Timboon Demons might be rebuilding but it has already won three matches this season.

The seventh-placed Demons have beaten sides sitting lower than themselves on the ladder - Dennington, Russells Creek and Panmure.

Heavy losses have come against Allansford, Old Collegians and South Rovers.

The Demons lost numerous valuable players during the off-season.

The list of departures included Sam Newey, Ben Harding (Simpson), Jamie Norton (BFL), Bayley Thompson (Camperdown), Hayden Mitchell (NFL) and James Plant.

But Hickey has remained optimistic despite losing a host of players.

"It has given guys an opportunity to step up and play some senior footy," he said.

Teenagers have gained exposure to senior footy this season including Jordy Fowler, Max Bond, Lachlan Rosolin and Charlie Trotter.

"Two or three years from now they're going to have 60-70 games and I think that's when we can look to see exciting things from those guys," he said.

Kyle Delaney, 16, is another player to step up and made his senior debut last week against South Rovers.

The tall youngster, who was a late call up for the match, was thrilled to reach the milestone.

"It's more clean and fast and you've got to change your game style a bit," he said of the top grade.

Delaney is one to watch in coming years.

He has been involved in the Greater Western Victoria Rebels under 16s program and made it to the final cut of the Western Bulldogs development squad in 2018.

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