The Tigers will be strengthened by the return of captain Mick Higgins with bat and ball, while Craig Giddens will be needed in the batting department against Newborough.

Higgins will replace promising 15 year-old Tim Dowe who notched his first senior wicket last weekend.

Morwell will start the day 71 runs in arrears and must dismiss the Bulldogs for less than 150 to give it time to get the runs needed, and a realistic chance of winning.

The Tigers will find the Bulldogs in no hurry to force the pace and should use the day for valuable batting practice.

Newborough's next three games will be against Mirboo North, Moe and Latrobe and its top spot is not in any danger.

Morwell will also be keeping a close eye on the progress of the Yallourn North and Mirboo North match, as a win for the Bombers would help them stay in the top four.

Mirboo North v Yallourn North

MIRBOO North is no certainty to win and will need to bowl out the Bombers for less than 219, and at 2/51 a lot will depend on Scott Jones, Luke Nelson and Shane Galea keeping their wickets intact.

Damian Turner and Jimmy Grande will need to get among the wickets early and Dale Banks is another bowler Anthony Matthews can use.

Last time these sides played at Yallourn North Damian Turner was the destroyer with a six-wicket haul.

Early wickets will expose the long Yallourn North tail and an outright win is still on the cards.

Latrobe v Moe

LATROBE'S hopes of taking top spot was crushed by Moe last weekend.

The only way it can get back in to the match is to take another nine wickets cheaply and quickly, otherwise its seven game winning streak will be over.

The Christmas break has done Tom Long the world of good as he bowled with plenty of fire and batted beautifully.

He needs 49 more runs to score a century and there is every chance of making it.

With Andrew Philip, Rob Phoenix and Joel Jacovou still to bat the Latrobe fieldsmen could be in for a long day as a declaration is not likely to be in the offering.