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THERE will be no easing back into the Loddon Valley league season for Mitiamo on Saturday, with the Superoos stepping straight back into the cauldron of a blockbuster 1^st vs 2^nd match.

In what will be the Superoos' first game for 35 days, the ladder-leaders will take on Bridgewater, with both teams going into the clash to round out the first half of the season undefeated.

The Superoos haven't played since their May 22 win over Pyramid Hill, with the reigning premiers having had the bye last Saturday following the three-week season standstill.

Having had so long between games, co-coach Tyrone Downie admits to a sense of the unknown as to how the Superoos will return from the break, similar to the uncertainty that surrounds going into a round one game.

"It's good to be back on Saturday and this is one of the games we've been really looking forward to from the start of the year knowing Bridgewater was going to be a good side," Downie said on Friday.

"Having been so long between games we're obviously really keen to get back out there amongst it, but we also know that our start could be a bit like a practice match where everyone comes out 100 miles an hour with no idea what they're doing.

"The other aspect though is we, like a lot of other sides at this time of the year, were fairly fatigued with our bodies and had some injury concerns, so we've had the chance to freshen blokes up, which has been great. So we're unsure how it will go on Saturday, but the boys are just keen to get back."

While the Superoos have had plenty of time to rest and recoup, they still won't be quite at full strength for Saturday's game at Bridgewater, with forward Ryan Wellington, key runner Ash Benbow and star recruit Carl Nicholson, who has played more than 100 SANFL games, still on the sidelines injured.

Nicholson, a premiership player with Glenelg, injured his knee in his first game with the Superoos against Pyramid Hill.

Having won the premiership in 2019, the Superoos this year picked up from where they left off following the cancelled 2020 season.

Their 7-0 record and monster percentage of 304.2 has been built off a strong defence, with the Superoos conceding an average of just 40 points per game, well below their 2019 premiership average of 55 points.

Key defenders Max Simpson and Lachlan Woodward have been among the competition's standout players, while Lee Dale has fitted into the midfield seamlessly to offset the loss of premiership captain Terry Reeves to Golden Square.

While the Superoos have had an extended lay-off, Bridgewater has one game back under its belt following last week's one-point win over Pyramid Hill.

The Mean Machine has had to make four enforced changes to its side with four players being suspended following the win over Pyramid Hill - midfielders Liam Jacques (four games) and Boden Alexander (two games, plus two suspended), key forward Alex Powell (one game) and swingman Darren Clutton (one game).

Two of the infringed players against, Matt Ladson and Brad Driscoll, won't be playing for Pyramid Hill against Bears Lagoon-Serpentine on Saturday.

Saturday's games - Bridgewater v Mitiamo, Marong v Newbridge, Maiden Gully YCW v Inglewood, Pyramid Hill v BL-Serpentine. Calivil United bye.

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