Warriors will take to Central Park with a new look team in the hope of securing a major upset and their first win of the year.

Warriors will go into the match a defender down after Scott Rathgeber injured himself during the week.

Coach Brad Cassidy said Rathgeber will be missed, but there is plenty of depth in their backline this year and someone else would be given an opportunity to step up.

"Scott is certainly an integral part of our backline," Cassidy said.

"He is a big body and can play on big body opponents so to lose someone like him really affects us."

The extent of the injury is still unknown, however he looks likely to miss at least a couple of weeks.

Liam Scott will most likely start on the ground and Jackson Taurau and Koby Stewart will make their senior debut.

Cassidy will start round one with three players that are still eligible for the under 17s which is great for the development of the club.

"When these boys are playing their first game we need to allow them to perform at their best," Cassidy said.

Cassidy is hopeful that the youth in the team can see large amounts of pressure applied.

"The message to the team is that defence is an all over the ground process," Cassidy said.

"Not just the defensive six, but across the ground. It is a team aspect."

The excitement of round one will be evident across the ground, none more so than with the new recruits.

Assistant coach Brad Thomas is eager to go and with a likely match up against Nick Pekin, the spectators could be in for a good show.

Neither Pekin nor Thomas will take a backward step when attacking the football, so the physicality will be at its peak.

Scott Driscoll, James Delahunty and Luke Hendy will all be required to put their bigger bodies on the line in order for Stawell to take possession.

Last night Stawell hit the track for their last session and spent time in their positional groups fine tuning their tactics and skills.

Warriors are in a good position heading into their first game and are looking forward to getting out there.

"There is a positive feeling about the game," Cassidy said.

"The boys are confident because of a good preseason. The better the preseason the more you can do, the more contests you can get to."

Likely line up:

B- J Taurau, T Matthews, L Scott,

HB- D Morris, L Hendy, S Driscoll,

C- J Bach, B Thomas, S Williams,

HF- A Potter, J Delahunty, T Cleary,

F- J Eckel, S Field, B Potter,

Fol- K Hendy, T Eckel, C Kimber,

I/C- B Taylor, K Stewart, M Hackwill.