The Griffith Swans will travel to Kindra Park on Saturday afternoon to take on Coolamon to see who will join Wagga Tigers at the top of the table.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Swans, Tigers and Rovers are currently locked in a three-way tie at the top of the table, and with the Wagga side having the bye the winner of the clash in Coolamon will join them on 48 points.
Swans coach Will Griggs knows his side face a tough test this weekend.
"Like everyone they are always going to be tougher on their home deck," he said.
"They are travelling really well that the moment, and it will be a good test for the boys to see how we stack up against them."
The Rovers have enjoyed a strong run which has seen them pick up four straight wins since they were defeated in round eight. When the Coolamon side travelled across to Griffith in round five, the Swans took a 21-point win, but Griggs said his side are expecting a close encounter.
"First time we played them they were missing a couple of players, and I think we were as well," he said.
"If both sides are at full strength, it should be a great game."
In recent weeks Jacob Conlan has been leading the way up forward with 11 goals in three games and Griggs has been pleased with how the forward line has been progressing.
"They are getting better and better every week," he said.
"Blake Argus is starting to come into his own in recent weeks after making the step into senior footy, and Sam Daniel kicked three in the last game (against Narrandera).
"It's good to see that if one isn't firing, someone else can step up to fill the hole."
Argus was one of the under 17s to make the step into the first-grade side this season, and Griggs feels there is plenty of talent knocking on the door.
"There is some good talent coming through the 17s at the moment and even in the juniors," he said.
"It is a really great time to be around the club."
In positive news on the injury front, Nathan Richards could return in a couple of weeks according to Griggs after being cleared of a stress fracture in his foot.
"He went to the specialist, and it is just some scar tissue from the last time it happened," he said.
"Hopefully we can get him back in a couple of weeks because we have been a bit depleted in the rucks stocks and to have someone who is able to get the ball into the hands of the midfielders quickly is always handy."
The Swans will be without Isaiah Potts, who is out through illness while Lucas Conlan has been called up for GWS under 18s duty. The top of the table clash will get underway at 2.10pm.