Myrtleford's hopes of maintaining the league's only perfect record took a hit last night when inspirational coach Jake Sharp was ruled out of Saturday's home blockbuster against Albury.
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It's unclear at this stage why Sharp will miss the game as the Saints look to add to their six-nil win-loss record.
For one of the few times in its 69-year history, Myrtleford leads the competition a third of the way through the season.
Sharp's absence follows last week's revelation that another of the club's best players Matt Dussin will miss the 'big three' - starting with the premiers and followed by Lavington (second) and Wangaratta (third) due to his sister's wedding in Italy early next month.
Rhys Grant and Murray Bushranger Will Quirk will replace the star duo.
Meanwhile, Albury welcomes back star forward Brayden O'Hara.
Elsewhere, Yarrawonga has received an enormous boost for Saturday's crucial home clash against Wangaratta Rovers.
Coach Damian Sexton says boom midfielder Mark Whiley has fully recovered from the cork he suffered in round one against Corowa-Rutherglen on April 6.
"Mark Whiley will be 100 per cent now, so that will be good," a relieved Sexton said.
"He's probably only been at 50 per cent and it's a credit to him he's been able to still play that well."
The former Carlton and GWS on-baller has played just four of the first six rounds, featuring in the Pigeons' best against Myrtleford (round four) and Wodonga (round five).
If Yarrawonga is to play finals, and a win over the Hawks would be a major stepping stone, Whiley needs to be at his livewire best.
One of the league's fittest players, the 26-year-old has boundless energy and brings team-mates into the play as he works himself to near exhaustion.
Rovers have named Casey Demons VFL player Tom McCaffrey and classy forward Stuart Booth, who starred in the club's drought-breaking win over Corowa-Rutherglen in round two.
And Corowa's profile recruits Rohan Davies and Tim Brook will face Lavington.
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