KOROIT footballer Liam Hoy expects the midfield match-up to decide the outcome of Saturday's match-of-the-round against his former club Warrnambool.
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Hoy said the Hampden league top-three showdown at Reid Oval would be a "curtain-raiser to a good finals series".
"We've both got strong forward and back lines so it will be won and lost in the midfield," he said.
"We are without (ruckman) Jeremy Hausler so they are going to have a slight advantage but it's no excuse.
"Jeremy's brother Matt has come in and we expect him to be competitive and we look forward to what he brings to the table."
Hoy, who has played in two premierships for Warrnambool and two for Koroit, said Damian O'Connor's inclusion would bolster the Saints' midfield.
"He's a mature head and has high intensity at the contest," he said.
"He trains as hard as anyone and sets the standard."
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Warrnambool surprised Koroit at Victoria Park earlier this season.
Hoy said the Blues had the Saints' measure all game.
"We need to put scoreboard pressure on early this time," he said. "They are a high-scoring side and we like to think we defend well.
Hoy has battled injury concerns in 2019, most notably a bruised foot which sidelined him for a month.
"It's a niggle I'll have all year but it's no excuse," he said.
Hoy, still only 23 himself, said the Saints' young crop had helped them overcome injuries this season.
He said Clem Nagorcka, Mac Peterson, Isaac Sinnott and Frazer Robb had all steppe up in 2019.
But he said half-back flanker Connor Hinkley, who is in the NAB League system, was flying under the radar.
"He might go unnoticed by a lot of teams but internally he's been our big improver," Hoy said.
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