Both Swifts and the Bombers have won three games this season, but a draw and a bye keeps the Stawell-based team six points ahead of their round nine opponents.

Swifts coach Scott Carey said the week off has been great for his team.

“Everyone is looking fresh and excited about the week ahead,” he said.

“There are no easy games for the rest of the season.

“We understand the circumstances this week holds since we are fighting for a similar spot. They are a much improved team on last year which is a credit to them and their coaching staff.”

The Baggies last hit out was a draw against Natimuk United. 

Carey said his side has learnt a lot in the two weeks since that game.

“We taped the match so we were able to sit down and analyse it,” he said.

“It has increased the learning curve a bit so we can see the mistakes we made and try and make sure they don’t happen again.”

The Baggies have struggled in contests against evenly matched sides this year, losing crucial games to Edenhope-Apsley and Kalkee in disappointing fashion. 

Carey said he hopes those experiences have made his team more focused.

“Mentally we need to be focused on the challenge at hand and be switched on when the first bounce hits,” he said.

“There are no room for lapses the way the comp has panned out. We got caught napping earlier on in the season because we just lacked a bit of focus.”

Swifts’ side will look slightly different this weekend, with Zac Armer out with a season-ending knee injury.

In a boost for the side, Blake Swain is a possible inclusion while they have secured the services of 2014 premiership player Zach Salmi for the rest of the season.

Carey said junior players are also likely to be given a chance against the Bombers this weekend.

“A couple of juniors are just about ready to have a crack so we might swing a few of them in,” he said.

Carey said he hopes to see effort from his side this weekend.

“I’d like to see signs we are all united and to play a real team game,” he said.

“We can’t shy away from those hard contests.”