Russells Creek has not come close to putting a full strength side on the park, according to first-year mentor Peter Timms.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But despite not putting their best foot forward, Timms believes the Kangaroos, who currently sit in ninth spot, will be better in the long run.
Injuries and unavailability to key senior players has hampered the Mack Oval-based club for a majority of the season and this weekend's match against Merrivale is no different.
Timms looked at his whiteboard deciding who would line up in the round 13 match against the Tigers and he couldn't help but notice the total of names on the side, indicating they would be missing.
"We have still have got 12 blokes missing," he said when confirming his final team to The Standard on Thursday night.
"We haven't come close to putting our best side on the park this year and we aren't making excuses as like other clubs we are not on our own (with player unavailability)."
Some of the names on the side of Timms' whiteboard are Aaron McInnes, Lukas Essenwanger, Liam Boyle, Liam Antonio, Ryan McElgunn, Caleb Templeton, Joe Kenna, Will McPhee and Connor MacLeod.
Apart from Essenwanger, who recently ruptured his ACL, all of the missing group are expected to be in the side next season with a full pre-season under their belts.
READ MORE:
Timms said the missing senior players provided the club a chance to strengthen its depth for a push into the second season of his tenure at Mack Oval.
"Our twos are beating sides they haven't beaten for more than 10 years and we feel we are already playing a better brand of footy," he said.
"We structure up well now even when we have so many missing. The future is looking bright and we have already gained good interest for next year from people wanting to come and play here.
"Jacob Lacy will play next year after recovering from an ACL. He has been training and is ready to play but we aren't going to risk it and will wait until next year and give him a big pre-season.
"Aaron McInnes, who played one game last week before returning to Swan Hill, will come back and play for us again next year and Heath (Moloney) will be back. With those three boys in we will be up and about."
Timms made a number of changes again this week with Matt Petherick, Lucas and Joseph Wensley (unavailable), Moloney (Darwin), Daniel Boyle (reserves) and Matthew Rook (foot) all back to face the third-placed Tigers.
McInnes (Swan Hill), Blair Hewett (under 18s), Ryan McElgunn, Caleb Templeton (unavailable), Connor Macleod (shoulder) and Joe Kenna (flu) all miss the round 13 match.
Timms was pleased to have his predecessor back into his senior side for a tough encounter.
"Heath coming back is a massive in for us," he said.
"He is a great leader and gives our midfield first use of the footy and he is always hard at it.
"He certainly leads the team on the field with his footy actions."
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.