The premiership fancies will go head-to-head at Reid Oval on Saturday in a battle between the Hampden league's best defence and best offence.

The stingy Saints average a competition-low 49 points against per game and the dangerous Blues a competition-high 120 points for per game.

"We don't look at our defence as a back six," McPherson said.

"We get help from our midfield and forwards who push up and put pressure on their midfield. If they can do that, it helps limit their forward opportunities."

The premiership Saint expects to line up at full-back on league leading goal-kicker Darren Ewing for a second time this season.

"To be honest, I felt I played OK and I looked at the score sheet at the end of the day and he'd kicked six," McPherson said.

"They go through him a lot. He's dynamic when the ball hits the deck. I need to spoil it and clear it out of the area."

McPherson said Koroit had blended youth into an experienced back line in 2019 with recruit Jack Gleeson and teenager Connor Hinkley settling in.

"Jack has come across from Merrivale and found his feet really quickly," he said.

"He takes intercept marks and is defence first but his offence once we win the ball is really good.

"Connor is only 18 or 19. He's a good field kick."

Koroit coach Chris McLaren agreed with McPherson's assessment of the Saints' game plan.

"Warrnambool's offence starts from good movement at half-back or in the middle of the ground and they're ability to win the ball back in dangerous spots," he said.

"It's the same as our defence - we need good pressure out of the middle.

"There's a lot more to do than our backs focusing on their forwards."

Warrnambool (11-1) is second on the ladder and Koroit (10-2) third.

The Blues' loss came against ladder-leader North Warrnambool Eagles while the Saints have fallen to the Blues and the Eagles.

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