A 45-point round one win kick started what has been a strong premiership defence for the Demons but the side comes into this match on the back of its smallest win of the season.

Horsham coach Deek Roberts said his side would have to improve if it was to maintain its unbeaten start.

“We were certainly below what we think is our best in a number of areas against Stawell,” he said.

“If we allow the Saints as much space as we did Stawell they will hurt us.

“The Saints are an in-form side that always manages to spread well from the contest so we need to bring the pressure right up on Sunday.”

Roberts said the responsibility would lie with the side’s leaders to set the standard from the opening bounce.

“There were different times during the match where we lapsed and we need to be better than that,” he said.

“We have the experience so it is up to us to better and then it has a flow on effect throughout the rest of the team.

“It should not be left to the younger or newer guys to lift the rest of us.”

Saints coach Luke Fisher said his sides recent wins had come on the back of exposing teams with their running game.

“Horsham are a different team that has run, height and really good balance,” he said. “We’ve got to find other ways to expose the opposition in order to get a win this week.”

He highlighted the impact Jordyn Burke and Josh Mibus could have as experienced forwards while Brad Hartigan, Rhona Conboy, Roberts and Ryan Kemp would equally attack every contest with ferocity. 

“If we can limit their impact we’ll go a long way to outscoring them in the end,” he said. “Some of them we need to directly look to shut down while for others its being mindful of where they are. It’s a communication thing because we believe we’ve got guys that can beat them one on one.”

The addition of Rebels’ players Mitch Martin and Baryden Helyar will give the Saints more options in attack. It is something that the Saints will continue to rely on.

“We don’t want to have just one avenue to goal,” Fisher said. “If we can continue to have a variety in our goal kickers then we are in a better position.”

Roberts expected there to be between one and three changes to his side but had to wait until Thursday night to confirm the changes.

“There are a few sore bodies and some questions about form,” he said. “There are also a number of players that have been in strong form in the reserves and under-17s that might get a chance.”