Nirranda, Kolora-Noorat set to welcome back gun players

The Blues host the Power in round four.

Harkness, a dashing defender, has missed the start of the season with a torn meniscus (knee).

"I'm hoping (to return), it's just about hitting the track and trying to get a few miles in," he said.

Harkness said forwards Jesse Dalton (hamstring tightness) and Nick Couch (back) could also be back this week.

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He added Jack Primmer (hamstring) was probably another one or two games away from a return.

Dalton booted two goals in the opening round - his only game this season - while Couch kicked nine goals in round two.

Meanwhile, Kolora-Noorat coach Ben Walsh is expecting Ben Fraser, Nick Bourke and Joel Moloney back on Saturday.

Fraser was unavailable last week while Moloney was a late out in round three after coming up sore from round two.

The last time the sides met was in the 2019 grand final when the Power triumphed by 36 points.

"In my time at the Power, we've never had an easy game against Nirranda," Walsh said.

"It's going to be a test epically at Nirranda.

"It's probably good timing, we've both got a few games under our belts as well."

Walsh believes "contested ball is always the key in these sort games".

He's aware the Blues have added quality recruits.

"They've added some really classy players like Nick Couch and Scott Carlin and maintained those consistent players they've always had," he said.

Harkness said playing the Power was a great challenge.

"I think all our boys look forward to it and all their boys probably do as well," he said.

Harkness said the Blues had great respect for the Power.

"We rate them incredibly highly, there doesn't seem to be too many weak links there so we've got our work cut out for us finding them," he said.

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