The reigning premiers have won by 90 and 178 points in the first two games, but the Blues enter the clash with nothing to lose.

Newbold was pleased with the performance against Tarrawingee last week, despite falling by a point.

"You can get overly conscious of the one-point result and wish it would have been four points for us, but it doesn't stop the way we played and we thought we did a lot right with a fairly depleted team," he said.

"Milawa is another step up on that and we expect we'll go pretty well against them.

"They haven't lost a game in probably 20, so they'll be very hard to beat.

"They're the benchmark and all clubs are striving to emulate them in some way."

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Newbold said the Blues have more depth in the squad this season.

"Matt Naish has played well out of defence and Brad Whinray has done a good job in a role he normally wouldn't play," he said.

"Bryce Ralph has been very good as our assistant coach and considering we've had our other assistant coach Josh Bell and captain Chris Dube out of the team, the leadership from other blokes has been really strong."

Benalla All Blacks face Moyhu, North Wangaratta hosts Goorambat, Whorouly welcomes Bright, King Valley takes on Tarrawingee, while the undefeated Bonnie Doon has the bye.

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