Last time the teams met the Rats recorded a pleasing 46 point victory in wet conditions, but it will be a different line-up facing the Roos tomorrow.

Both BJ Burton and Lachie Hamilton have been selected for the VCFL East v West match, meaning neither will play for the Rats tomorrow.

This will come as a big blow to the side as both young guns have been in top form of late, both on the ball and down forward where they kick plenty of goals.

Ben Newson is also expected to miss after injuring an ankle last week, although Wade Robertson may be fit to play after a shoulder injury saw him sit out most of last week's match.

There is still an injury cloud over prolific onballer Dale Bligh, who had treatment on his injured leg Monday but is no certainty to play.

Wingman Tom Brennan is unavailable.

It is not all doom and gloom for the Rats. They will welcome key forward Rohan Homburg back to the side, while under 17 Luke Broadbent may be in contention for his first senior match.

The return to the wide expanses of Alexandra Oval will suit the Rats, whose running game thrives on the extra space.

Mick Fratin is in top form for the Rats down forward and may kick a bag if the Roos can't find the right match-up, while Aiden Bell will need to get under his feet and pick up the crumbs.

Matt Smith enjoyed a run in the midfield last week, and along with Alan Batchelor and Trent Fiscalini will look to give plenty of drive.

For the Roos, Toohey medal favourite Karl Lohde has been in phenomenal form this year and the Rats may call upon Jonno Milosevic in a tagging role.

Milosevic has done some great jobs for the Rats this year and will need to keep Lohde quiet tomorrow, as the prolific onballer oozes class and can be very damaging by foot.

Also of note for the Roos is key forward Peter McFarlane, who has played limited football for Dimboola this year.

If he does play, the big job will fall to Ben Harrison to shut him down, with the forward capable of changing a game off his own boot.

Harrison is in top form however and has done the job before, the athletic utility uses his pace and leap against bigger players and will thrive on the challenge.

The Rats' backline has been terrific this year with Brad Harricks and Peter Thompson providing plenty of strength while running off well.

The teams look to be evenly matched and the Roos have lost a number of close games, showing they are better than their sixth spot on the ladder suggests.

It may be up forward where the Rats have the edge in this one, and with marking targets Fratin, Homburg, Tom Cashin, Josh Cunningham and senior coach Scott Turner, they may have too much firepower for the Roos' defence.