STAWELL is expecting nothing short of a win when it heads to Nhill in the Wimmera Football League on Saturday.
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The Warriors showed strong signed of improvement when they challenged Minyip-Murtoa in round four, but Thomas will be disappointed if they do not learn from their loss and record a win.
Nhill is also on the improve and after a strong performance last week, the Tigers will be eager to challenge the Warriors.
Thomas said there were several areas they needed to improve on and pressure was a key.
“We need our pressure to be on from the first bounce,” he said.
“It hasn't been where it needs to be so far – it isn't our young blokes – it is the experienced leaders who are slipping.”
The Tigers have been a fast running team in the past and Thomas is keen to limit their opportunities to run and carry the ball.
While the Tigers have several up and coming players, Thomas has decided to pay close attention to his own team.
“It is all about us as far as we are concerned,” he said.
“We are treating this like an eight-point win. We want to stay in touch with the top three and if we can’t win here we lose that privilege.”
The Warriors will have unchanged line-up with Liam Scott the only player that could be in doubt.
Scott is under a injury cloud after suffering concussion last weekend.
He was involved in a friendly fire incident with Jess Portelli that saw both players attacking the ball and bump heads.
Jackson Dark is coming off a strong game against Minyip-Murtoa as is Tom Taurau and Portelli.
Stawell will need all 22 players to be at their best if they are to win convincingly.
In the past the Warriors have been satisfied to compete with the best teams but this year Thomas wants to lift the expectation.
“We can’t be satisfied with just a good performance,” he said.
“We think we are better than that and that is what we need to show everyone else.
“We get this win on the board and we are in good stead but if we lose we are going to have a real tough second half.”
Stawell will face the tough task of taking on Nhill at its home ground.
The trip to Nhill has been a challenge for the Warriors in the past but, they hope to have overcome it and take the four points from the clash.
Nhill currently sit in fourth place just one spot below Stawell and will be wanting to improve on their position.
Both Stawell and Nhill will be keeping a close eye on the match being played at Murtoa.
With either Horsham or Minyip-Murtoa scheduled to have their first loss for the 2016 season
