After losing their last battle by 20 points, O and M coach Carl Norton said his team faced a huge task attempting to reverse the interleague result.

“We last played them two years ago and they were a very strong, hard footy side,” Norton said.

“We’re expecting a very similar performance from them this time, though a different result would be lovely.

“But we’re still expecting a hard game.”

Wodonga Raiders’ wingman Sam Murray will captain the representative side that includes regular senior players Alex Marklew, Joel Heiner, Brady Pritchard and Isaac Wallace.

Murray has been a consistent performer for coach Daryn Cresswell since arriving at Birallee Park from Henty and will be eager to make a big impression in the midfield.

Norton said there was a buzz around training as the young but already experienced side took shape.

“The boys are really excited about the weekend,” Norton said.

“Training has been great and we believe we’ve put together a really competitive squad and we’re looking forward to the challenge on Saturday.

“Most of the boys have played senior footy which is great advantage to them, and probably 99 per cent of them are regular senior players.

“So they’ve played at that higher level against bigger bodies and I think that will prepare them well for the interleague game.”

The Magpies stalwart wouldn’t be drawn into naming key players.

“We want an even mix — I don’t see anyone in particular standing out,” he said.

“I just really hope we perform well as a team, the more even we are, the better we’ll perform, and the more positive a result we’ll achieve.

“We just want to play a nice brand of football and move the ball quickly — the aim is playing a nice, exciting brand of football that’s pleasing for the spectators.”