“This is the best under-age Australian football competition in the country,” Higgins said.

“It gets no tougher than taking on last year’s premiers on their home ground.

“The squad is well rested and we’re looking forward to the next phase of the season.

“It’s a crucial time of the year where we aim to secure our ranking as a finals team.”

The fourth-placed Bushrangers will welcome back some heavy artillery.

Co-captain Harry Boyd (Shepparton), key position player Alex Paech (North Albury) and Goulburn Valley interleague captain Lachlan Waite (Seymour) have been named.

Esava Ratugolea will play his first game of the season following a diligent recovery from a knee injury suffered pre-season.

“Esava has amazed the medical and high performance team with his ability to recover from the knee injury he suffered back in March,” Higgins said.

“The coaching staff were disappointed when he got injured as his pre-season form was really strong but we are now looking forward to exposing him to this level of football.

“He has elite physical attributes that will no doubt benefit both our midfield and forward line over the coming weeks.”

The Bushrangers have been buoyed this week by six players being named in the Allies squad.

Talent Manager Lee Fraser said the mood around the squad was upbeat.

“While our high performance team are resting the Allies players this week it has given everyone around the club real energy,” Fraser said.

“To have our players perform in the national carnival is a credit to everyone involved in our football program and in particular the junior coaches and administrators throughout what is a great local football community.”

Todd Marshall (Deniliquin), Charlie Spargo, Fletcher Carroll, Zach Sproule and Max Lynch (Albury) and Ryan Garthwaite (Corowa-Rutherglen) will be part of the division one campaign against South Australia on June 4.

Bushrangers Harry Morrison (Benalla), Louis Pinnuck (Strathmerton) and Will Brodie (GV) will play for Victoria Country.

Mooroopna’s Jy Simpkin will miss the championships due to a broken leg suffered earlier in the season.

Saturday’s match starts at 2pm.