The Warriors are yet to win a match away from home in 2018, with their three wins all coming at Stawell’s Central Park. 

Warriors co-coach Jamie Solyom said while he expects a challenging game against the unbeaten Demons it is a good opportunity for his side.

“The only way to improve is to play against the best teams. It will be a learning experience for the boys one way or another,” he said.

“We will see where we have to be to compete and beat the standout team in the league.”

The Demons have been far away the best side in the first half of the Wimmera Football League season.

They have made Horsham City Oval a fortress, winning by an average of more than 50 points per game. 

Solyom said Horsham’s home ground has not been favourable to Stawell in recent years.

“It hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Stawell in recent years but it is a challenge the boys will embrace,” he said.

Despite their undefeated record, Solyom said the Demons are not unbeatable.

“No matter how good a team is, pressure brings mistakes and if we can capitalise on those mistakes we have a chance,” he said.

“We will look to spread more from the stoppages and try and put the pressure on them early on.”

The Warriors go into the match with a relatively fit list. The key changes will be the loss of under 17 footballers Bailey Taylor and Jakob Salmi.

“Those two boys have to go back and play under 17s,” Solyom said.

“It is a shame they have to go back because they were just starting to find their feet and make an impact.”

2017 best and fairest winner Sean Mantell is still unlikely to play, with a hamstring injury continue to play havoc.

“We might just let Sean have one more week off,” Solyom said.

“He has done his hamstring twice this year. It is frustrating for us not having him out there so I can only imagine what it’d be like for him not being able to get out on the park.”

The conclusion of round nine this weekend will mark the halfway point of the Wimmera Football League season, with all teams to have had the bye and played each other once.

Solyom said he has seen a number of players standout in the first half of the season for his team.

“David Andrivon looks really keen now and has been in some good form down forward,” he said.

“Captain Cam Kimber has continued to work hard and sets the standard of work rate we expect.

“Younk Jackson (Dark) keeps doing his job down back for us down back and Tom (Taurau) has been very impressive. He just gets to every contest.

“It is also always good to watch a young kid take the game on like Naish (McRoberts) has.”