Coming off a 57-point loss to Horsham last Saturday, the Rats will be eager to quickly recover and get back on the winner's list, just as they did after a heavy defeat against Horsham Saints in round four.

Coach David Hosking said he had confidence in his team's ability to respond after a disappointing showing against the Demons.

"We have now had a couple of losses this year and to be fair they have been fairly significant and not pretty, but the guys bounced back pretty well the first time," he said.

"They should be disappointed with last week. I am not saying it is a sign of a good side we have a long way to go yet before we are officially a good side but to bounce back is a sign of an improving team and we did that following the Saints' match.

"Ideally you don't like to lose in the manner we did, but we can put it behind us and move on."

The Rats will be boosted by the inclusion of 2013 best and fairest Aaron Searle, who got through last week's reserves match unscathed his first competitive hitout in five weeks.

Searle injured his troublesome knee during Ararat's round one victory against the Warrack Eagles and Hosking said the veteran's absence had left a hole inside the forward-50.

"Searle's return gives us some real ground level footy smarts in the forward line," he said.

"If he has to take a spell in the midfield as well, he also gives us a bit of grunt and toughness."

Tom Williamson is also expected to return this weekend, with North Ballarat having a bye in the TAC Cup. Hosking said the young gun acquitted himself well during the Rebels' win at Alexandra Oval last Sunday and will give the Rats some added speed off the halfback line.

In a blow to the Ararat line-up, the in form Jake Robinson suffered a minor fracture in his thumb against Horsham.

He was unable to train on Tuesday night, with the star midfielder undergoing a fitness test last night to determine his chances of playing.

Jake Williamson is unavailable this week.

It has been a long time since Ararat has defeated the Burras on their home turf, but Hosking said the Rats are well equipped to do so heading into this clash.

“It will need to be the same sort of effort that saw us break the duck at Dimboola. Effort must be there all day and we need to play good, sensible footy,” he said.

“I have never been to Minyip and it hasn’t been windy, so we need to prepare ourselves for that and play accordingly.

“Their strength has always been their strength and I don’t expect that to be a whole lot different.

“I think we are as strong as anyone now in terms of strength and size, but I reckon we’ve gained that without necessarily losing pace and run.

“We still have the likes of Tom Williamson, Riley Taylor, Jack and Harry (Ganley), Alan (Batchelor). That’s why I believe once we start to gel as a team we can mix it with anyone.

“We’ve got the right balance, but what everyone has got to understand is we have a playing group spread across different areas.

“There are guys in Ararat, Ballarat and Melbourne, so it is going to take some time to get all that gelling nicely. When we do, we’ll be very difficult to beat.”

With Horsham and the Saints likely to snare wins this weekend, ladder positions aren’t expected to change below the Rats and Burras, however victory to either side will cement their spot in third place and put a four point gap on the rest of the competition.

Hosking said the reality of football in the Wimmera was ‘to give yourself the best possible crack at a premiership, you can’t afford to finish fourth or fifth’.

“That’s a fact. We have spoken about that and really want to finish in the top three, so in order to do that you have to beat those teams around you,” he said.

“We have to beat Dimboola (currently fifth) and Minyip/Murtoa (currently third) at the very least. And ideally I’d like to beat the Saints and Demons along the way as well.

“This is a really important game in terms of ladder position as the halfway mark approaches.”