Arch enemy Ararat has given the Stawell Mitre 10 Warriors something to think about just days out from their Wimmera Football League qualifying final.
The young, energetic Rats outfit made the most of their home ground advantage on Sunday to score a thrilling two point victory, signalling their worth as a genuine finals campaigner ahead of their own elimination final against Horsham Saints this Sunday.
However, coach Dale Power, who was one of Warriors' best on Saturday, isn't worried with the defeat after a number of late withdrawals left the visitors severely undermanned heading into the clash.
Stawell was missing a total of five players from the team that defeated Minyip-Murtoa the week prior, with skipper Ben Williamson a late withdrawal after hurting a hamstring on Tuesday night. Tall pair Bryce Homden and Joel Freeland both missed with the 'flu, Damian McDonald was sidelined with general soreness as was Brent Tuckey with a strained adductor muscle.
This is on top of ball winner Nathan Holloway, who will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury, Otto Adam who played his first game back from a hamstring strain in the reserves, Simon Jones (hamstring), Jorah Margetson (back), Steve Jenkins (hand), Julian Carr (knee) and Justin Thomas (shoulder).
``I told the boys (after the match) not to be too disappointed, but it obviously is when it is against Ararat and you are playing for top spot,'' he said.
``They put that to bed pretty early with the start to the game so just the fact that we kept fighting on and kept coming back was good. We made a real game of it.
``We had a lot of blokes out but we want to switch focus and make sure we don't take too many negatives out of that. That was a pretty good performance really.''
Power said his team would have a light week on the track this week and focus ahead of Saturday's qualifying final against the dangerous Warrack Eagles.
``Saturday is pivotal, if we lose against Warrack then it is a long road back,'' Power said.
``However, if we win we are a realistic chance of another crack at a grand final.''
Power said the thought of possibly taking top spot on the ladder after Horsham defeated Dimboola by 78 points on Saturday, did not play a part in his team's loss.
Stawell's injuries were compounded further when Ararat jumped out to an important 30 point lead at quarter time, thanks to a stiff breeze, before Warriors came charging back to infact lead by seven points at the long break.
Scores then levelled up in the third term and with Stawell having the advantage of the wind heading into the final quarter, most at Alexandra Oval couldn't have been blamed for expecting Warriors to run away with the match.
However, the home side booted the first three goals of the term and held the lead for the rest of the match despite the best efforts of the gallant Warriors.
Arguably Stawell's best Shane Field marked and goaled on the siren to cut the final margin back to two points.
Ball magnet Paul Hanns found plenty of possession all over the ground in another top display by the gutsy onballer, forward Sam Anyon kicked six goals in a strong forward line performance, while other standouts included Daniel Thomas and Isaac Rathgeber in defence.
STAWELL TIMES-NEWS BEST: Paul Hanns, Sam Anyon, Shane Field, Daniel Thomas, Dale Power, Isaac Rathgeber.
Nhill rounded off its season with a 55 point win over Minyip-Murtoa on Saturday, confining the Burras to the wooden spoon, Horsham United were simply no match for finals contenders Warrack Eagles and Horsham secured the minor premiership after making light work of Dimboola to win by 78 points.
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