The Demons – who were without seven first-choice players in their loss to Horsham Saints at the weekend – are set to welcome back co-coach Nick Pekin and the likes of Simon Hobbs and John Wood.

Pekin – who said he was raring to get back onto the park – told the Mail-Times it was important his side returned to winning form.

“We don’t want to be dropping our heads late in the season,” he said.

“If we can come off a win going into finals it gives us some confidence.”

Pekin said the Demons’ defensive pressure inside their own forward-line had to lift.

“Sides have been able to remove the footy from our forward-line way to easily,” he said.

On the flip-side, Rats coach David Hosking is hopeful his side can produce a competitive performance.

“We’d be really, really hopeful of doing quite well,” he said.

“We’re capable of winning, particularly if we play like we did last weekend against Minyip-Murtoa.”

Jake Williamson is a good chance to return for the Rats in Saturday’s clash.

However Zander Laidlaw, Jake Robinson, Sam Shalders and Brady Miller are yet to prove their fitness ahead of finals.