The first-year co-coach wants a host of contributors to ease pressure on the talented pair each week.

Port Fairy was within overs of victory against flag fancy West Warrnambool in last Saturday's season-opener.

A number of Pirates picked up as Perera and Williams failed to fire with the bat - and Macdonald wants more of the same.

"Obviously those two play a big part in our performances and are quality players," Macdonald said.

"But we really want a whole team approach. We need some input from players week-in and week-out.

"Jason and Aaron didn't make many runs on Saturday and Harry Hogan managed to make a really good 40.

"We need to be able to build around another player when they're going well."

Macdonald flagged more top-order runs as the Pirates' most pressing priority against Brierly-Christ Church this week.

He expected Hogan - a boarding student at Melbourne Grammar School - to become a top-order mainstay after his VCE exam period.

"He's heading back to Melbourne for school but I'd expect him to be available in November," Macdonald said.

"We hope he'll play the majority of the season after that but he will just get his exams done."

Permit players - Andrew Ferris and Sam Wilson - are not expected to suit up this weekend after solid displays against West.

Macdonald said permit players weren't a long-term strategy for the club.

"It's probably just a one-week thing for us. Sam and Andrew are two we'd like to get in as much as possible but we don't plan to use a variety of (permit players)," he said. "We'll look to stick with players that are at training as much as we can."

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.