Saints coach Chris McLaren decided to take a cautious approach with midfielders James Gow (ankle) and Liam Hoy (corked thigh/hip) ahead of a tilt at a sixth straight premiership.

"He (Hoy) could have played if this was a final or a must win for us but we though we would freshen him up for a big finals campaign," McLaren said.

Ben Dobson, who was rested for last weekend's victory over the Seagulls, and under 18s rising star Clem Nagorcka return to face Terang Mortlake.

The Seagulls have rested leader Matt Sully as the club prepares for its fifth finals series in a row.

But in a boost for the Dan Nicholson-coached side Kaine Mercovich, Dylan Gunning, Sandy Robinson, Lochie Gunning and Sam McCartney all return to the senior side to face Hamilton Kangaroos this Saturday.

Port Fairy assistant coach Winis Imbi said McCartney was ready to go after recovering from a knee injury that sidelined him for half the season and after getting through last weekend's return in the reserves.

READ MORE:

Ruckman Dougall Hamilton (moving house) and young guns Bj Dalton, James Duncan and Darcy Smith will miss.

Vice-captain Brady Hicks and Hugh Douglas return for the Kangaroos, who will be looking to knock off the Seagulls in Matt Dunn's last game as senior coach.

Camperdown utility Charlie Brett will return in place of the suspended Lachlan Bone, who accepted a two-match ban for striking Portland's Daniel Falcone last Saturday.

Magpies co-coach Neville Swayn said Brett had earned his place in the side.

"He will play through our back rotation and could go through on ball we will see how the game pans out," he said.

"He can play a number of roles. He can go back, mid or a run with role if we need. He has done everything right over the last two or three weeks and has been solid in the twos."

North Warrnambool Eagles welcome back ruckman and captain Jordan Dillon along with half-back flanker Will Scriven for its clash against South Warrnambool, who have skipper Liam Hoy and Tim Brown returning.

Warrnambool leader Sam Cowling is one of the Blues' inclusions but they will be without Jed Turland, who is out with an ankle injury.

Wil Fleming, Martin Van Rooy and Lachlan Dwyer are also back for the Blues while Portland's Edmund Pritchard, Tylar Watts, Luke Barnes and Harrison Kerr are in for the Tigers' final game.

Port Fairy

B: Edward Purvis, Colin Harwood, Joseph Forrest

HB: George Macdonald, Dylan Gunning, Xavier McCartney

C: Tyler Hetherington, Kaine Mercovich, Andrew Lowe

HF: Daniel Nicholson, Samuel McCartney, Tom Sullivan

F: Lachlan Glare, Sandy Robinson, Lochie Gunning

R: Jake Bartlett, Isaac Martin, Kurt Smith

Int: James Imbi, Dylan Herbertson, Matthew Pitt

In: Kaine Mercovich, Dylan Gunning, Sandy Robinson, Lochie Gunning, Samuel McCartney

Out: Dougall Hamilton, Bj Dalton, James Duncan, Darcy Smith, Matthew Sully

Hamilton Kangaroos

B: Luke Barnes, Jack Hickey, Joshua Pepper

HB: Brady Hicks, Jandre Slabbert, Sean Barnes

C: Jack English, Tyrone Ross, Harry Waters

HF: Cameron Whyte, Darcy Russell, Christopher Quinn

F: Riley Alexander, Levi Dare, Dylan Starkie

R: Jack Pertzel, Rory Gill, Hamish Waldron

Int: Mick McMeel, Hugh Douglas, Charles Murrie

In: Hugh Douglas, Brady Hicks

Out: James Whyte, Joshua Meulendyks

North Warrnambool Eagles

B: Jackson Grundy, Darcy Keast , Samuel Doukas

HB: Will Scriven, Thomas Batten, Bailey Jenkinson

C: Billie Smedts, Sam McLachlan, Jett Bermingham

HF: Luke Wines, Adam Wines, Samuel McKinnon

F: Jarryd Lewis, Joseph McKinnon, Tom James

R: Jordan Dillon, Matthew Wines, Sam James

Int: Thomas O'Leary, Zachary Bussell, Jackson Couch

In: Will Scriven, Jordan Dillon

Out: Michael Barlow, Benjamin Mugavin

South Warrnambool

B: Harrison Lee, Sam Thompson, Benjamin Rantall

HB: Brayden Beks, Jake O'Sullivan, Jaidyn Hawkins

C: Jock Blair, Liam Youl, Harrison Monk

HF: Timothy Brown, Shannon Beks, Flynn Atchison

F: Archie Stevens, Tanna Blackney-Noter, Charlie Lee

R: Hugh Clancey, Nick Thompson, Peter Doukas

Int: Hamish Gurry, Heath Brennan, Patrick Anderson

In: Timothy Brown, Liam Youl

Out: Jesse Gallichan, Charlie Bradshaw

Warrnambool

B: Samuel Wilson, Jordan Foott, Bradley Bull

HB: Martin Van Rooy, Alexander Shipard, Lachlan Dwyer

C: Wil Fleming, Thomas Ludeman, Austin Steere

HF: Benjamin Fleming , Sam Cowling, Travis Graham

F: Jackson Bell, Darren Ewing, Thomas Jenkins

R: Daniel Weymouth, Mitch Bidmade, Jye Turland

Int: Kurt Lenehan, Luke Cody, Angus Lowe

In: Sam Cowling, Wil Fleming, Martin Van Rooy, Lachlan Dwyer

Out: Harry Ryan, Jed Turland, Damien McCorkell, William Jacobs

Portland

B: Tannar Stone, Connor Giddings, Patrick Pekin

HB: David Denboer, Jake Wilson, Harris Jennings

C: Cameron Gleeson, Thomas Haylock, Luke Driscoll

HF: Harrison Kerr, Sam Hampshire, Aaron Shepherd

F: Edmund Pritchard, Tylar Watts, Jackson Dunlop

R: Ben Malcolm, Daniel Falcone, Patrick Haylock

Int: Luke Barnes, Daniel Jackson, Connor Peters

In: Edmund Pritchard, Tylar Watts, Luke Barnes, Harrison Kerr

Out: Damon Huppatz, Tanner Lovell, Damien Bell, Thomas Sharp

Camperdown

B: Mitchell Danahay, Brendan Richardson, Luke O'Neil

HB: Luke Clarke, Billy Arnold, Jason Robinson

C: Riley Arnold, Fraser Lucas, Matthew Field

HF: Joshua Bone, Jacob Mahony, Charlie Brett

F: Hamish Sinnott, Timothy Fitzgerald, William Lord

R: William Rowbottom, Luke Mahony, Charlie Lucas

Int: Edward Lucas, Bayley Thompson, Isaac Stephens

In: Charlie Brett

Out: Lachlan Bone

Cobden

B: Jake Evans, Jack McGlade, Zac Green

HB: Tarj Anderson, Christian Koroneos, Sam Thow

C: Grady Rooke, Charlie Darcy, Jesse Williamson

HF: thomas spokes, Chris Paatsch, Louis Cahill

F: Sam Giblett, Jack Hutt, Patrick Smith

R: Toby Hawkins, Daniel Watson, Jia Anderson

Int: Ashley Rosolin, Ben Berry, Tomas Lindquist, Paul Pekin

Emg: William Benallack, Luke Pekin

In: Jia Anderson, Ashley Rosolin, William Benallack, Luke Pekin

Out: Joshua Hickey

Terang Mortlake

B: Paul O'Connor, Lachlan Wareham, James Thomas Moloney

HB: Joseph Arundell, Ryan Tanner, Isaac Kenna

C: Daniel Kenna, Tyson Densley, Dominic Kenna

HF: Matthew Baxter, Christopher Baxter, Samual McLean

F: Ben Finnerty, Mitchell Carlin, Gus Bourke

R: Matthew Arundell, Jarryd Hay, Nicholas Couch,

Int: Ryan O'Connor, Harrison Hobbs,Harry Williams,

Koroit

B: Alex Pulling, Dallas Mooney, Timothy McPherson

HB: Sam Dobson, Connor Hinkley, Lachlan Rhook

C: Jack Gleeson, James North, Clem Nagorcka

HF: Brett Harrington, William Couch, Lachlan Cairns

F: Damian O'Connor, Jarrod Korewha, Benjamin Dobson

R: Jeremy Hausler, Todd White, Tim Martin

Int: Rhys Raymond, Jayden Watson, Frazer Robb

In: Clem Nagorcka, Benjamin Dobson

Out: James Gow, Liam Hoy

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.