Teams often travel to Port understrength but Sawtell can't take any liberties if they are to return to the winners' circle.

Coach Brandt Lee will issue a rallying call to ensure a strong line-up travels south and will hope that players such as Leif Stuart, Mitch Napier, and Connor Perks are all available.

The Magpies had a fortunate victory last week and will need to perform much better against the Saints.

This is a must-win match for the Magpies if they want to stamp themselves as premiership contenders and they will be desperate to prove to everyone, themselves included, that they can compete with the ladder leaders.

The return of coach Tom Marmo from a knee injury last week was a timely boost for the team.

Club champion Jesse Schmidt is in good form after his own early season injury woes, and young Ed Smith has had an outstanding first two weeks to his senior career.

These players can provide the spark that, when combined with the consistency of Craig Dicker, Rod Sonogan, and Blake Nelson, can lead to a tilt at the title.