WARRACK Eagles will look to stop ladder-leader Horsham in its tracks when they host the Demons in a blockbuster top of the table clash at Anzac Park, Warracknabeal, on Saturday.
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The undefeated Demons have enjoyed big wins the past two rounds and will face an Eagles team that has not dropped a match since the sides last met in round one.
Just nine points separated the Wimmera league's top two teams then, but the Eagles have since shown a penchant for getting over the line in close matches, highlighted by their successive one-point wins over fellow finals contenders Minyip-Murtoa and Horsham Saints.
Eagles coach Tim Inkster said his side would have to be at the top of its game tomorrow.
"We've been on the right end of a few results, but there hasn't been any script or formula," he said.
"There's been a lot of luck.
"We know what doesn't work for us, and if we serve that up against Horsham we'll get found out quickly."
Inkster said getting first-hands on the ball would be a priority.
"The basics don't change," he said.
"We need to win it out of the middle and be efficient when we have it.
"It's really important against the really good teams and we've got to bring that for most of the game."
The Eagles were well served by defender Jacob Cheney and ruckman Andy Walsh at the weekend, while Ben Harrison and Jake Peters have both been consistent performers.
Inkster said he was weighing up whether to play key utility Peter Weir up forward or in defence after he played a starring role in the Eagles' resurgence against Minyip-Murtoa at the weekend.
Inkster said his side would be forced to make at least three changes, with Jayden Werner, Ben Spicer and Jack Keegan all out.
Inkster said junior prospects Riley Morrow and Jamie Whitehead were in line to make their senior returns.
Horsham will boast a number of big inclusions, with two interleague representatives set to return key-position player Sean Christopher and goal-kicking midfielder Joel Geue.
Demons coach Jordyn Burke said his side looked forward to a challenge and was positive about its chances.
"With the work we've done we're confident we can do the job, but we've got a lot of respect for Warrack and we know we'll have to be at our best," he said.
"We had a fairly hard win the first time around, but both teams were pretty scratchy and I think this time it will be much different.
"They're continually a good side and it's going to be a hard task."
The Demons, who have a number of players in strong form, will bank on their midfield depth.
Nick Pekin and coach Brad Hartigan have been pivotal around the ground and on the scoreboard the past two rounds.
Burke said Rhona Conboy could play in defence on Weir or Inkster, or he might go forward after a six-goal effort against Nhill.
He also said Aaron Barnett was pushing hard for a senior berth after a strong reserves performance.
Western Vic Football general manager Stephen McQueen said the match was moved from Brim Recreation Reserve to Anzac Park yesterday afternoon because of safety issues.
"Under advisement from Warrack Eagles, the Brim surface has been damaged because of maintenaince and has been considered unsafe for tomorrow," he said.