Crawford, who was instated as assistant coach at the beginning of the season, has taken on the head coaching role after Robbie Miller resigned and departed the club last week.

Crawford said despite the unconventional circumstances, he was excited to be taking on the role.

"I'm pretty confident about stepping up," he said.

"From being Robbie's assistant this year, and coming through a Physical Education degree at university, I feel like I've got a fairly good grasp of it.

"I've been taking training and those sort of things for a while now as well, so it hasn't been too big of a jump for me to take control. All the players know how I coach at training and game day, so they've all adjusted to it really well."

Crawford said the club had made his transition into the top job as seamless as possible.

"Everyone around the club has been really good for me. I feel like I've got plenty of support here," he said. "They've made the transition about as easy as it can be."

The lifelong Laharum player said senior coaching was something he had thought about pursuing.

"It is something I've thought about ... I obviously didn't think it would come up this soon, but I suppose I'm glad to have the opportunity," Crawford said.

"It has given me a chance to cement myself as a senior coach, which is pretty exciting. I'm pretty happy with that part of it I suppose."

Crawford said he was still undecided if he wanted to coach Laharum beyond this season.

"I haven't thought too much about it at this stage," he said.

"Coaching is something I'm interested in, but I need to get a feel for it in the rest of the season and go from there.

"But it's definitely something I'm enjoying so far."

On-field, Crawford said the strategy would mostly stay the same. Laharum have had a difficult run with injury this season and are 2-5 after eight rounds.

Crawford said the focus for the remainder of the season was developing younger players.

"We're about improvement this year. Providing opportunity for each individual to improve, and making sure we're working as a team on a couple of key points we've outlined for the whole season," he said.

"We'll give the under-17s plenty of chances and we're just being realistic about the season."

Coming off the bye, Laharum take on Swifts at the weekend in a difficult test for the Mountain Men, and for Crawford in his first game as the permanent senior coach.

In other contests, Edenhope-Apsley and Jeparit-Rainbow face off in a rematch of 2018's second semi-final.

Both sides are locked at four wins each and with very similar percentages.

With eight teams in contention for finals places, matches like this could prove pivotal for positions come the end of the season.

Similarly, Natimuk United face a tough task against a resurgent Rupanyup.

After winning their first five matches of the season, the Rams have lost their last two, including a thumping loss to Harrow-Balmoral. Rupanyup meanwhile will be buoyed after an impressive 5-point victory against Jeparit-Rainbow last round.

In other contests, Noradjuha-Quantong will host the rampaging Harrow-Balmoral, Kalkee will try to bounce back against Pimpinio and Swifts host Laharum.