TOP SPOT on the Wimmera Football League ladder will be on the line on Saturday when Horsham Saints and Horsham go head-to-head in the top-of-the-table clash.
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The Saints hold a four-point advantage over the Demons as well as boasting a superior percentage, but if Horsham can beat the Saints for the first time in 2015, it would move closer to pinching the minor premiership.
While both sides are aware of what is at stake, the initial focus remains on the contest.
Saints coach Shayne Breuer is expecting a close encounter at Coughlin Park on Saturday and hopes his side will provide a good contest.
"Getting top spot isn't our major focus. It's more about how we compete against Horsham," he said.
"It's always a really good contest and it lets us know where we're at. We're really looking forward to it."
When the two sides last met, the Saints prevailed by a goal, but had to overcome a 27-point, quarter-time deficit to seal the win.
Breuer said the Saints could not allow the Demons to make another hot start.
"Last time they kicked seven goals to two in the first quarter," he said.
"You can't allow that to happen. You've got to try to match it with their intensity around the ball."
Breuer said he trusted his brigade to get the job done but said he would keep an eye on dangerous Demons stars.
"You back your guys in but you've got to be aware of certain players who if you give a small amount of time and space they're going to hurt you," he said.
Breuer expects the strong depth of his side to be integral at the weekend.
"We're lucky because we've got good depth and there are a lot of guys pushing to get into the side," he said.
Horsham co-coach Nick Pekin said knocking off the competition benchmark would give the Demons a confidence boost.
"It will be good to keep maintaining our form," he said.
Pekin said his side would need to increase its pressure in its forward half to negate the Saints' defensive rebound and run.
"We need to get some turnovers in our forward half that can hopefully result in some goals," he said.
"Their rebound off our forward line is something we need to negate.
"Darcy Taylor going forward is one to put some pressure on, and Beau Nelson as well.”
Pekin said he was aware of the Saints' prime movers and said the contest through the centre of the ground would prove pivotal.
"It's going to be a midfield battle as well. We've got to work hard back to stop that run because they've got some silky movers."
