Robe suffered a groin complaint in the Tigers' 174-point trouncing of Dennington on Saturday.

Sobey said while Robe's injury was a sour note, he expected defender James Fary, Josh Britton and Claye Cassidy to return in coming weeks.

He said Merrivale was improving week-to-week as it integrated several new faces.

"Each game, I feel, is a bonus for us," Sobey said.

"Continuity between the group is a big thing for us and I think we're starting to see it click.

"We haven't been playing our best footy but we were pleased with our approach (against Dennington).

"We've been building a bit of form week-to-week and we felt Saturday was a step in the right direction. There were some pleasing signs in how we moved the ball."

Merrivale's forwards ran rampant. Todd McLean booted five goals, Nathan Krepp kicked seven, Luke Byrne and Tate Porter added four each.

Sobey said he was pleased with how his new-look forward line was functioning four weeks in.

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