ALEX Gynes was the match-winner in Warrnambool Seahawks' most recent game but his teammates will have to cover his on-court absence on Saturday night.
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The Seahawks coach has pulled up sore from his 27-point effort against Collingwood and has opted to lead from the sidelines against Southern Peninsula.
Gynes said the Seahawks would otherwise be at full strength for the Big V away game as they aim to conquer the Sharks for second time this season.
"I am just coaching this weekend. I have pulled up very sore from last weekend," he said.
"I'll take this week off and try and get that right."
Gynes expects fellow big man Simon O'Keefe to take on added responsibility.
"They play through the point guard but then they have three bigger bodies that are pretty handy in the paint and under the ring," he said.
"Simon anchors the key for us."
The Seahawks recorded a 10-point win against the Sharks in round two.
But Gynes is wary.
"We beat them at home but they have gained a bit of momentum the last few weeks and they had a really good win against Bellarine last week," he said.
"It will be a tough slog, playing them down there.
"They play a lot through their point guard. We defended him quite well and forced him into tough shots so he'll get a lot of attention again from us.
"If we keep it simple, keep up the defensive pressure and get out and run the floor we should be in with a crack of pinching one on the road."
Warrnambool Mermaids will regain Grace Rodgers and sister act Juina and Cigi Lual for their away fixture against Western Port Steelers.
Mermaids mentor Lee Primmer said Rodgers - their most consistent player this season - added strength to a developing side.
"She is averaging 14 points a game and double (figure) boards, so she just gives you that big presence inside (the key)," he said.
"She gives you someone to throw the ball in to."
The Mermaids, coming off a big loss to division one champion favourite Chelsea Gulls, defeated the Steelers by a point at the Arc in round two.
Primmer said there would be an emphasis on defence on Saturday night.
"We came off quite a heavy defeat in the first game of the year and then played Western Port at home, mind you, and were able to win in a real tight one," he said.
"We bounced back then after a heavy defeat and we're sort of trying to do the same thing."
Primmer said the Mermaids, who have already played six 14-year-old players in 2021, were in the finals frame despite their 2-5 win-loss record and being second bottom on the ladder.
"I pretty much know where we sit in the whole scheme of things and on any given day anyone can beat just about everyone with the exception of Chelsea," he said.
"The team that is fourth has won four games and we've won two so if we go bang, bang we're right back in the talk of making the finals."
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