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It can be a daunting task but Jess Rohan loves taking on her old side.
The South Rovers playing-coach was part of an Allansford outfit that fell just short of a Warrnambool and District league finals berth in 2016 before she crossed to the Lions' den in 2017.
Rohan's older sister, Stacy Mills, is also a leader among the Cats as the club's A-reserve playing-coach.
And while those experiences and family connections meant she held Allansford in high regard, Rohan said they would also add an extra level of competition when the two sides met on Saturday.
"They're a great club and I always enjoy playing them," she said.
"It's usually a good match between us."
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But the game also has significance in the broader scheme of the 2019 season.
South Rovers are on the cusp of the WDFNL's top five, just 6.64 per cent behind the Timboon Demons, while Allansford, languishing at ninth with a 1-5 record, desperately needs a win to keep its slim finals chances alive.
The Lions had a tough opening run to their campaign and had to wait until round four before they first tasted victory, with a 55-31 win over Kolora-Noorat the perfect tonic to bounce back from losses to Dennington and Nirranda.
But it was South Rovers' round six 45-43 win over Timboon Demons, in which Nadine Porter starred despite a hamstring injury, that kick-started a recent rich vein of form with a thumping 68-37 victory over East Warrnambool the following week.
"It was a great game and could have gone either way," Rohan said of South Rovers' win over the Leah Sinnott-coached side.
The Lions mentor said part of her side's success was the strong chemistry formed between returning player Rhi Davis, who scored 46 goals against the Bombers in round seven, and Abby Sheehan.
"She's a very handy person who can shoot from anywhere and helps Abby with her experience," Rohan said.
"They've never played together, but they're starting to bond now which is great."
But Rohan also has one eye on the future, with 17 and under player Zahra Walker having got the chance to play two games with the Lions at the WDFNL's senior level.
"Zahra fits in the midcourt really well - she's a little jet," Rohan said.
Allansford and South Rovers fought out a 29-all draw the last time the two sides met in round 13 last season.
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