Saints coach Luke Fisher said his side was confident it had the ability to take it to the Demons despite a disappointing loss against the side to start the season.

“We were still positive after round one, we just know that it is the standard we have to reach,” he said.

“The first thing we will need to do is stop Josh Mibus and Tim Wade from getting opportunities when they go forward.

“We need to work hard to expose their lack of mobility by moving them around.”

Fisher was critical of his side’s tackling intensity and its team defence in its loss to Stawell.

He said it will be important to lift in that area on Sunday.

Midfielders Sam Clyne and Ollie Timms often lead the way for the team. 

“It’s great to have someone as young as Ollie compete as hard as he does,” Fisher said.

“As soon as that ball gets thrown up to start the game he cracks in hard at the ball .”

Demons coach Louie Dalziel said matches between the sides were always going to be tough no matter the ladder positions.

“It just so happens that at the moment we are high on the ladder and the Saints are in fifth,” he said.

“They would be itching to come out and claim the scalp of a team above them on the ladder at this point of the season to secure their spot.”

The Demons come into the match with a healthy list and are a chance to welcome back Dawson Cross and Jack Mentha.

“Jack had been in strong form before his week off, he is eager to get back to cement his spot and make a statement,” he said.

“We were also very happy with the roles played by the five guys that came in last week.

“All the players are putting a lot of pressure on the selectors and the one that are missing out will have to use their disappoint to earn a spot in the senior side.”

He said that his side will not look to change its style a great amount to expose the lack of height in the Saints lineup.

“When it comes down to it, it is all about winning your own football,” he said.

“It’s the same if you mark it above your head as it is if you take it down low.

“We just need 21 players playing well and winning their own football.”

Each year the two clubs play for the cup named in honour of former Saints and Demons player John ‘Pelican’ O’Callaghan.

Dalziel said O’Callaghan was a strong person for both clubs.

“We want to make sure we put in good performance in his honour,” he said.

Fisher echoed the sentiment.

“Obviously the Pelican Cup is the big thing to play for on the day but it is also four points that we need,” he said.