Rivals Avoca and Navarre will face when the Maryborough Castlemaine football competition resumes on Saturday.
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Both sides will be well-rested after a league-wide bye last weekend.
“Everyone enjoyed the break and have made sure their bodies are right for the back end of the season,” Navarre coach Kyle Hendy said.
The week off has been crucial for some big Grasshoppers to rest up. Jesse Hannett is a chance to return from a hamstring injury after missing the last two matches.
Bryce Tickner and Louis Hannett will have to prove their fitness before the game, sustaining “niggles” in the match against Maryborough Rovers before the bye.
Saturday’s match is big for the Grasshoppers as they look to secure a spot inside the top eight.
“We need all 22 contributing not just a couple because that won’t cut it against Avoca,” Hendy said.
Navarre goes into the game in fifth spot, two games outside the top four but only four points clear of ninth-place.
The Grasshoppers were in strong form before the break, dropping just one from their last six matches.
“I think we have really got to carry over the last few weeks form to be in contention again,” Hendy said.
Goalkicking is high on Hendy’s agenda to improve on this weekend and until the end of the season.
He said accuracy against strong teams, such as Avoca, will be crucial.
“I would like us to convert a lot more shots at goal. Against some tougher sides that could cost us,” he said.
“It’d be good to have leads from forwards to the right spots instead of wide shots.”
Josh Fowkes was one Grasshopper that did not get a rest last weekend, playing for Wimmera Football League club Ararat on a one-week clearance.
Hendy said playing the game at a different level is good for Fowkes’ development.
“It is good for him to get experience another league and a different standard,” Hendy said.
