The Spiders are two points clear of their opponents with four rounds remaining with the outcome vital to both sides’ September aspirations.

“It’s crucial for us both,” Luke Brauer said.

“The winner is going to be well placed to get top spot.

“We rate Howlong very highly.

“They are a really dangerous side with a lethal midfield and forward-line.

“Howlong is on top of the ladder for a reason.

“They have had as hard a draw as anyone in the competition and we know we are going to have to play our best footy to get over them.”

After this weekend’s battle, the Spiders have Henty, Rand-Walbundrie and the bye while Brauer’s charges face CDHBU, Lockhart and Holbrook.

Brocklesby-Burrumbuttock defeated Howlong by five points at Howlong in round four with an under-strength line-up.

But Brauer said the Saints were helped by their opponents inaccuracy in front of goal.

“I think we had 10 out that day but Howlong missed a lot of shots and could have put us away,” he said.

“We took confidence out of it because the blokes who came in did a job for us but Howlong certainly let us off the hook.

“Both sides are playing well at the moment.”

Howlong turned plenty of heads in smashing Osborne last weekend with big-men Peter Hancock and Josh Dicketts at their destructive best.

The Saints like to play Dean Murphy in attack but were forced to move him back into defence against Henty after Roy Jaques cut loose.

It could face the same dilemma on Saturday if Dicketts starts well.

Brocklesby-Burrumbuttock has been gaining plenty of drive from its centre-line with Luke Schilg unstoppable in the centre and Josh McCudden and John-Roy Williams controlling the wings.

Beau Walker, Joel Price and Rohan Davies have been prolific for the Spiders while first-year player Max Barraclough is also proving a bonus.

In other matches, Jindera has the form to defeat Lockhart.

The Bulldogs are coming off one of their best wins of the season with midfield depth and a home advantage set to prove telling.

Murray Magpies should have the answers against Holbrook.

Corey Lambert’s line-up is favoured to clinch sixth position after Osborne slipped up badly last weekend and Alex Jones, Shannon Gilson and Zac Doyle should pick up some handy percentage.

Henty will prove too strong for an injury-hit Rand-Walbundrie with Swampie star Jared Farwell set to continue his fine season.

Osborne, Walla and CDHBU have the bye.