Wangaratta says boom forward Michael Newton is cherry-ripe as he returns from a hamstring complaint in Saturday's home blockbuster against Albury.
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The league's best player hasn't completed a game since April 21 after tearing a pectoral muscle against Lavington on May 4, missing seven weeks, and then injuring his hamstring against Wodonga Raiders on June 22.
Despite starting just six matches, Newton still sits fourth in the goalkicking with 29.
"He's put a circle around this game to make sure he was ready to go and he's been training well," team-mate Michael Bordignon said.
Bordignon says his captain has been completing full training for a fortnight.
Newton spearheads a list of profile returns for both clubs.
The Pies have four back from injury, while goalkicking ruckman Zac Leitch was unavailable for the match against Corowa-Rutherglen.
The Tigers welcome back four stars, including Daniel Cross, who came out of retirement against Wodonga on June 29.
Cross must play three games to qualify for finals.
Wangaratta fell to Albury in last year's grand final in an eight-point thriller, but started the season as the pre-season favourites after premiership players Josh and Daine Porter, along with Ben Speight, returned to the club.
However, the Tigers stunned the pre-season fancies to inflict their first defeat of the season, by 19 points, in round six.
The Pies were missing Newton, gun midfielder Matt Kelly, classy youngster Daniel Sharrock and Victoria Country defender Dylan Van Berlo, with only the latter still out through injury, while powerful on-baller Daniel Boyle is suspended for the match.
"Obviously it's hard to get through a full season without any injuries here or there, so you've got to make do with what you've got," Bordignon said.
"I think the boys have adapted well each week, it's been good having those debutants coming through."
Given the bulk of the stars have now returned, the Pies will start slight favourites but, if they lose, and Myrtleford topples Corowa-Rutherglen, they will be two wins out of the top three with just a month left.
"Obviously it's a serious game, but I wouldn't say the top three is gone if we lose," Bordignon said.
The Pies have won their last four games and the Tigers their last three.
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