Eaglehawk coach Travis Matheson is hoping to use Saturday's big clash with Gisborne as a springboard for the rest of the BFNL season.
The reigning premiers have done enough in the opening six weeks to be in fifth place on the ladder, but they don't have the same mojo as they had this time last year.
The return from injury of premiership trio Tim Hill, Jack Fallon and Lachy Atherton has come at the perfect time for the Borough.
Fallon, in particular, has been sorely missed, with his run and carry off half-back a feature of last year's premiership campaign.
"This is a win we need to have in regards to where we are on the ladder,'' Matheson said.
"If we can win the game, hopefully it's the spark to really get us going."
While the Borough has welcomed back three key players, Gisborne has lost three valuable pieces of its forward line.
Jaiydn Owen and Jake Conolan have been sidelined by minor leg injuries, while Jack Scanlon's brilliant start to the season has caught the eye of scouts at the next level.
Scanlon is now aligned with VFL club Coburg and he has been selected to play in Sunday's AFL Victoria Young Guns game.
"We've had some good wins this year, but going up against the reigning premiers on their home ground is a big challenge for us,'' Gisborne coach Clinton Young said.
"Coming off a loss last week I'm sure Eaglehawk will be up for a big performance.
"If we're going to get to the position we want to get then this is a game where we really need to step up."
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