Waybacks v Mallee Park, Saturday, Centenary Oval, 2.40pm

THIS is the game of the round.

The Peckers knocked Waybacks out of the finals in the preliminary final last season and memories of such a loss will make this contest a dour struggle.

The return of two Mail Medal winners in Mathew Goodwin in the midfield and Murray Kelsh up forward are the danger for the Peckers.

Waybacks will find the pace of the Peckers hard to hold, and to stop their ball handing and running game will be the acid test for the Demons.

The ruck contest between the Demons’ Dale Bascomb and the continued improvement of Pecker Ky Miller will be significant to the final outcome.

The Peckers had eight goal kickers last week, as did the Demons, so both teams have ample firepower when they go forward.

Barry Johncock Jnr at centre half forward will be a big test on whoever is given the job. While only kicking one goal, he was credited with several assists to put goals on the scoreboard.

Glen Schreiber matched Johncock in the marking contest and the Demons will have to come up with a player of equal ability as the Rangers’ Glen Schreiber, not an easy task by any means.

Matt Goodwin is the key for the Demons in the midfield; he will get plenty of first use at the stoppages. A 30-plus possession player he can turn the tide but if the Peckers get first use at the clearances, the tide could become a tidal wave against the Demons.

Up forward the reports are that the two Clare recruits Rhys Marsh and Jack Arbon are productive, with Steve Hammond a smart ball handler who can the keep the pressure cooking.

The Demons’ new faces on the scene in Steve Parsons and Ben Franklin, are more than handy and are expected to be prominent around the ground.

Demon young gun Luke Westbury could be the surprise packet up forward.

Without putting the knock on Bostons, the Demons will face a team blessed with far more leg speed than they did last Saturday.

Tip: Stopping the Peckers at this stage is akin to stopping a Big Mack going down hill without breaks. Peckers to win.