The Gold has picked arguably its strongest side, while Sandringham is below full-strength.

“There’s some talent there, but I reckon there’s a sneaky chance this week,” Jones said.

Among the outs for the round six clash is Zebras captain Marcus Marigliani, who played for the VFL state team last weekend.

Sandringham will make at least six changes from its last game, although that’s made it tougher for Jones to do his homework on the Zebras – who are aligned with his former AFL club, St Kilda.

“They’re probably three or four players light on from the way they would have liked to have lined up; the way he’s going at the moment (suspended Saint Justin) Koschitzke probably would have played,” Jones said.

“If they had been full-strength there probably might have been one or two more that I played footy with. They’re pretty young.”

Bendigo has brought in two first-gamers, ex-Calder Cannons key forward Jack Sheahan and Lockington-Bamawm’s Jesse Collins, plus Jake Aarts from injury to replace a sore Jackson Bolton.

Sheahan will start in the goalsquare, with  Dean Putt at centre half-forward and skipper Steven Stroobants in a pocket.

“Jack just leads well and if it’s not to position he’s just strong and hits packs very aggressively - even at training,” Jones said.

Collins has been named on the bench and his versatility will be handy for the Gold. 

The Gold has improved in its five matches as a stand-alone team, but putting the clamps on when opponents get a run-on has been a problem.

“What we’re trying to do is if we’ve got uncontested ball, we’re trying to maintain it. What’s killing us at the moment is when we’re uncontested and we’re creating turnovers,” Jones said.

“The turnovers under pressure are always going to happen in footy, but it’s the ones when we’re clear and running forward and getting support run, then the ball’s going the other way and we’re getting caught out.”

After losing its opening two games, Sandringham drew with Port Melbourne before high-scoring wins against Werribee and the Northern Blues.

Jones expects Sandringham’s final team to include about a dozen St Kilda-listed players - including full-back Jason Blake and small forward Trent Dennis-Lane.

Today’s match starts at 2pm at the QEO.