Allansford midfielder Justin Fedley says his side will have to go through Andy McMeel to get the four points against Russells Creek.
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The Cats, currently led by Nick Johnstone and Robbie Hare while head coach Ben Price serves a four-week suspension, are sitting fifth on the Warrnambool and District league table with a 7-5 record and a healthy 108.66 percentage.
Russells Creek, plagued all season by personnel issues, are well and truly out of finals contention at 10th with just two wins and 10 losses.
But McMeel, according to Fedley, is the best player in the WDFNL and more than capable of causing Allansford some serious headaches, meaning a tag is likely coming his way on Saturday.
"He's very dynamic and can do it all really," Fedley said.
"If he gets at the footy, he can do a lot of damage and with his supporting cast they'll be hard to beat.
"I think it would be pretty silly to not send someone to him at stages, especially at stoppages where he does his best work. So we'll definitely look at it."
And with Allansford's next two games against Panmure (seventh) and Old Collegians (fourth), Fedley said the finals started now for the Cats.
"It adds a lot motivation, especially since we're going to face those sides we're fighting against for the last spot," he said.
"Finals are why you play football, so it would be a massive tip of the hat for Pricey if we get there.
"It's been as good as it can be with him suspended.
"I think Robbie and Johnno have done a great job...so he's got a pretty good supporting cast."
But Hare was quick to return the compliment.
The 26-year-old tall said Fedley had been Allansford's in-form player over the last month.
"He leads from the front, is hard at the footy and uses the ball well," Hare said.
"I think he's grown into a real leader since I've been here and watching him do that has been pleasing."
And while Hare was more than happy to take over the club's coaching duties with Johnstone on a short-term basis, the key position player said he hadn't considered an ongoing future in the role.
"Coaching has been a lot harder than I thought," he said.
"It's definitely an experience, but that never hurt anyone.
"I'm not a great public-speaker, so that was probably the hardest part.
"You kind of forget you're coaching until three-quarter time when you give a rev-up speech.
"I usually talk on the field, so there wasn't much transition in that sense, it was more the off-field stuff.
"I think it's too early to tell whether I'd want to do it down the track, but the more experience I get now... I can better make a decision later."
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