With Beau Cosson and Liam Cavanagh who have kicked 57 goals between them this year receiving a VicCountry call-up earlier in the week, the pair's absence will leave a massive hole in the Rats' forwardline.

While niggles from reigning best and fairest Aaron Searle (groin) and in-form backman Peter Thompson (back) gave Andrew Louder and David Hosking plenty of headaches at the selection table last night.

Speaking to The Ararat Advertiser prior to Ararat's final training session, Louder said he was comfortable with the depth of the playing list ahead of the Burras' match.

"We are (undermanned) but in saying that, it opens the door for someone else to see whether they are prepared to take the opportunity that is given to them," he said.

"I would say some players that come up may not have as much ability as some of the ones going out, but those inclusions might have a little bit more hunger and spirit.

“The possibilities of coming back in could be Mick Fratin, Tim Porter, Lucas Cocking and Jimmy Laidlaw, but not really sure until David and I sit down.”

Without Cosson and Cavanagh as the main focal points inside-50 a lot of responsibility rests on the shoulders of Matt North, who has played as a third-string tall in attack for much of the season behind the missing key forwards.

Louder said should Fratin come into the side he will play forward, while Jacob Bates, Tyler Cronin and Tom Williamson will also offer North support.

“Saturday is a game that Matt needs to take the next step and work really hard without the other two alongside him,” he said.

“Beau has kicked a lot of goals this year, so his forward line running and pressure is going to be missed. We will just have to structure up to what forwards we have on the day, but I am quietly confident they will be capable of doing the jobs of those who aren’t there.”

The Rats last took on Minyip/Murtoa in round four, with the side defeating the Burras by 19 points to continue their unblemished start to the season.

Ararat has won just two matches since then and is coming off the back of a 35-point loss to the Horsham Saints, which pushed the Rats down the ladder into fourth position.

Louder said Dan Mendes and Harry Ganley have been the standout performers in his eyes over the last couple of weeks, but there are still plenty of players that need to find more consistency.

“We haven’t had many four quarter contributors for quite a while because we haven’t been playing four quarters of footy,” he said.

“Each player on the team needs to lift. I think our work rate when we haven’t got the ball has to improve and we have to be hungry for the ball.

“If we stick to our structures and play well as a team we can come away with the points.”

Jake Williamson, Brady Miller and James Hosking will have their hands full trying to restrict Minyip/Murtoa forwards Clinton Midgely, Blake Grant and Brayden Ison, who have all been in the goals in recent weeks, while Alan Batchelor and Jack Ganley must continue their form through the centre particularly if Searle is not fit in time.

If the Rats aren’t able to overcome the Burras they will again drop a spot on the ladder. Louder said if that is the case, it won’t be alarm bells just yet.

“We can’t afford to panic, but a loss here does put more pressure on the group heading into the rest of the year,” he said.

“It makes the next two weeks very vital. It is going to be a real hard ask going up to Minyip and coming away with the win, but I am quietly confident that we can do it.”