Sothern Roos coach Paul Cleaver said the midfield battle would be crucial in the contest.

“They have some high quality players running through the middle so that is where we will need to try and get on top,” he said.

“Sam Anson, Alex Ridsdale and Wil Ridsdale are good players we need to keep an eye on. I saw they took it to the Giants for a couple of quarters last round so they can certainly be a handful.”

Cleaver will look toward midfielders Nic Pekin, Eric Guthrie, Murray Staude, Peter Staude and Scott Heath to move the ball quickly and efficiently.

“Really we need everyone to be working hard to play the way we want to,” he said. “You can’t just have one bloke carrying the ball the length of the field.”

Rams coach Sam Anson agreed the match will likely be decided in the middle of the ground. “We will need to be first at the ball and not allow them access to it,” he said.

“I think last week was a good indication of where we are at as a team. If you took away the first quarter it would have been a four goal game.

“Our back six will have a big role to play again on Saturday.”

Both coaches were pleased with how their sides had gone so far this season.

“This week will be another good test of how well our structures hold up against an improved side,” Cleaver said.