The Lions are sitting in fourth position, two games clear of fifth-placed Numurkah, while Tongala will be looking for just its third win for the year.

The Lions have endured a horror run with injuries this year but will regain a few key players in the coming weeks with Damien Payne and Matt Kennedy coming back this week, while Brenton Cooper and Glen Coghlan are just another week away.

However, full back Adam Thompson will miss the clash against Tongala after being suspended for one game.

“We had eight missing last week. They aren’t far away though,” Lions coach Chris Kennedy said.

Kennedy knows his side can’t take any team lightly as the Lions’ playing stocks are being stretched.

“We can’t expect anything to be honest,” he said.

“The depth of our club has been going really well.

“We know that we have to play well to win every game.”

Their midfield has been in cracking form, led by captain Jason Sanderson, while the backline has been creating plenty of rebound through the work of Nathan Parker and Nathan Tresize.

“Hopefully our midfield, which was good last weekend, can keep it up,” Kennedy said.

“We need to take some grabs inside 50.

“Our run and attack from half back has been great.”

Nathan Parker will get the tough job on Andrew Reid who is one of Tongala’s prime movers up forward.

In other games Barooga, with Matthew Pardew and Matthew Abney-Hastings in fine form up forward, should be too good for Deniliquin.

Third-placed Echuca United, coming off a strong win over Moama, should account for Cobram with Anthony Baker and Josh Rowbottom in top form.

Numurkah is striving to stay in the six and should beat Moama, but will have to be wary of the Magpies Jason Hill and Darren Phipps.

Rumbalara and Congupna should have an interesting battle with Phillip Guthrie, in fine form for Rumbalara, and Rupert Betheras who will provide plenty of drive.

The improved Finley will have its work cut out against top-of-the-table Nathalia and will need to stop full forward Brendan Parker, who is just nine goals away from reaching the century.

Tocumwal has the bye.