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MITIAMO co-coach Andy Grant is eagerly awaiting his side's first major test of the Loddon Valley league season against Marong on Saturday.
The reigning premier Superoos sit on top of the ladder unbeaten with a monster percentage of 519.6.
However, given Mitiamo's fixture so far it's clear why the Superoos' 4-0 record and percentage is as imposing as it is given the four teams they have beaten - Bears Lagoon-Serpentine, Inglewood, Newbridge and Calivil United - have just one win between them.
Saturday's opposition though, the Panthers, present a major step-up in class, with the improved Marong also undefeated and having last week knocked off Pyramid Hill in a three-point thriller.
"With the way our draw has been it has probably helped us a bit... we were a bit underdone fitness-wise, so we've been able to build our match fitness," Grant said on Friday.
"But we're looking forward to Saturday and coming up against what looks like a top two or three team the way Marong has started.
"They've beaten Pyramid Hill and gave Maiden Gully a bit of a touch-up (91 points in round three), so they are a bit of a yardstick of the competition."
The Superoos, who kicked their highest score for 17 years when they piled on 31.19 (205) in a 182-point win over Calivil United last week, will have further firepower on Saturday with the return of co-coach Tyrone Downie.
But it's down the other end in defence where Grant has been particularly pleased with.
"I think we've probably got the best backline in the competition and it has been really solid for three years with our core group," Grant said.
"Lachie Woodward, Max Simpson, Luke Lougoon, Ben Bacon, Ash Benbow, Matt Wiegard, Jarryd Wiegard and Dylan Clohesy... we're really strong back and that's where we look to get our run and rebound from.
"I think it will be a battle of the midfield on Saturday; we'll have to win some clear footy to give our forwards the best opportunity to hit the scoreboard."
Mitiamo also gets 2019 premiership player Brent Downie back, but has lost gun on-baller Doug Thomas to a hamstring injury.
An area where the Superoos look to hold an ace is in the ruck department given the Panthers are without both the injured Justin Hynes and suspended Adrian Pappin.
Conversely, the Superoos will go into the game with three ruckmen - Michael I'Anson, Nathan Twigg and Braydan Riddell.
* Saturday's games - Mitiamo v Marong, Bridgewater v Calivil United, Pyramid Hill v Maiden Gully YCW, Newbridge v BL-Serpentine. Inglewood bye.
HOW THEY MATCH-UP
HDFNL - BAIRD'S MOUNT PLEASANT DEBUT WILL HAVE TO WAIT
ADAM Baird's keenly-anticipated debut for Mount Pleasant will have to wait after a hamstring concern will keep him from lining up against Leitchville-Gunbower on Saturday.
With his four-game suspension from the 2019 season at Golden Square now served, Baird is clear to resume his career at his new club.
However, the star midfielder was unable to get through training on Tuesday night due to a hamstring problem and won't take to the field against the Bombers at Toolleen in round five of the Heathcote District league season.
Saturday's match of the round will be at Colbinabbin where the third-placed Grasshoppers take on the unbeaten White Hills.
HOW THEY MATCH-UP:
* Saturday's games - Elmore v Huntly, Colbinabbin v White Hills, Heathcote v North Bendigo, Mount Pleasant v Leitchville-Gunbower. LBU bye.
SATURDAY'S ROUND FIVE GAMES IN THE NORTH CENTRAL LEAGUE:
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