Although the reigning premier took three quarters to shake off a persistent Henty last weekend, Walker said the Saints were still the team to beat for the flag.

“They are a well-balanced side with quality across all lines,” Walker said.

“To be undefeated for the season off the back of a premiership year proves that and shows they are still the team to beat and out and out favourites for the premiership again this year.

“Henty still has a quality list but were hit hard with injuries and they will be aiming to finish the year off strongly.

“The result wasn’t a major surprise.”

In a clash vital to Jindera’s double chance aspirations, the Bulldogs will take another undermanned line-up into the match against Brocklesby-Burrumbuttock at Jindera.

Kirk Wilson and Will King returned last weekend but the club will be missing Danny Warren, Kurt Brereton, Mick Galvin, Zac Stuart, Andrew Wilson and Walker.

Hayden Lyon will miss the season after tearing the meniscus in his knee on debut a fortnight ago.

“We are quite depleted at the moment but confident of getting our senior list fit ahead of finals,” he said.

Walker is hoping Jindera learnt from its round four match against Brocklesby-Burrumbuttock when it trailed by one point at the last change before being blown away late.

“We look back to earlier in the year when we played the Saints and use that as our education piece,” he said.

“On that occasion we challenged them for a full three quarters until they had the ability to put the foot down on us in the last quarter and kick clear by seven goals.

“So as a group we need to be better than that and understand we need to provide a four-quarter effort against quality opposition if we want to win such games.”

Murray Magpies coach Josh Maher believes his team can overcome the loss of Azzi medal contender Jesse Johnston when it takes on Culcairn at Culcairn on Saturday.

Maher said players Alex Freeman, Brad Thompson, Wade Knights and Trent Logue could be asked to step up in the ruck.

“We have a few options,” Maher said.

“We have put it on the leaders to step up and, while it’s disappointing, we have to look ahead.”

In other matches, Rand-Walbundrie-Walla host Billabong Crows and Osborne do battle with Howlong.