KANIVA-LEEOR United coach Neil Reeve says his team knows what to expect when it hosts Padthaway in a top of the table blockbuster on Saturday.
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Having won their past nine matches, the Cougars are looking to break the Lions’ 10-game winning streak, which dates back to a win against the Cougars in round three.
“Our team is well aware of Padthaway and its style of play,” Reeve said.
“They’re very well drilled and disciplined.”
Fifty-one points separated the sides in their last meeting, but Reeve said his side would go in confident and worry-free.
“It would be good to knock them off on our home deck,” he said.
“We’ve got nothing to lose. The pressure’s all on them.”
The hosts have not been defeated at home this season and will have added incentive to claim the four points, with club stalwart Shane Dodson set to play his 300th game.
“The guys will certainly play for him,” Reeve said.
“He’s one of the guys who’s been here through thick and thin.
“He’s 34 or 35 and, credit to him, he’s probably the fittest guy on our list and the most courageous.”
The Cougars will have to contend with several changes.
Reeve, shoulder, said he was likely to miss alongside Ryan Richardson, groin, Matt Skrypek, concussion, and Alex Brown and Liam Vivian, both out with school commitments.
Damien Hawker and Lachlan Seed will return. Reeve said wingman Shaun Smith was likely to earn a recall from the reserves.
Stopping former AFL forward Scott Welsh will be a key for the Cougars, with the Lions star averaging more than four goals a game.
A win would see the Cougars draw level with the Lions on points and go a long way towards securing a top-two finish.
Border Districts will look to snap an eight-game losing streak when it hosts rival Kybybolite.
The Tigers sit at the foot of the table, but a win over the Eagles could see the sides exchange places.
Eagles coach Mark Good said the wooden spoon was something his side would be trying to avoid at all costs.
Good said the Eagles had learned a lesson after letting a three-quarter-time lead slip against Kingston at the weekend.
“We need to put the foot down and keep the foot down,” he said.
Elijah Ware was set to return but the side would be relatively unchanged.
In other matches, fourth-placed Mundulla will visit fifth-placed Bordertown, Keith will host Kingston and reigning premier Penola will take on Lucindale.