Merrivale coach Josh Sobey is hopeful he'll have full-back Sean Barnes (calf complaint) and on-baller Sam Gleeson (unavailable) back this week for the Tigers' big clash with Nirranda.
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He'll also monitor the fitness of gun player Todd McLean (calf soreness) and see how he pulls up this week.
All eyes will be on the first-versus-third Warrnambool and District clash at Nirranda Recreation Reserve.
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The Tigers thumped Allansford 21.18 (144) to 7.4 (46) on Saturday while the Blues are undefeated.
Sobey said it would be a great test for his side.
"They're in great form and Harky (Blues coach Brayden Harkness) is doing a great job with them," he said.
"They seem to be moving the ball pretty well and they're undefeated, they deserve the competition's respect and we're looking forward to seeing where we're at.
"We're just working to play four quarters of Merrivale footy, we understand games are not always going to be on our terms but we're working pretty hard to try and make sure we don't have lapses here and there."
Sobey is aware of Nirranda's reputation as a contested ball beast.
But he's backing his Tigers in that area too.
He feels it will be about which team can transition well from contests and make the most of their opportunities going forward.
Sobey, who had hip surgery last year, returned for his first senior game on Saturday against Allansford and intends to play the rest of the season.
"It's certainly good to be back out there," he said.
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