Hodge has never won at Mangoplah Sportsground during his two stints at the Crows, but is confident that can change on Saturday.

Leeton-Whitton return from a fortnight off due to club and general byes and will take on the third-placed Goannas.

Hodge knows too well about how difficult it is to beat MCUE on their home turf but has faith in his team despite an inconsistent start to the year.

“I’ve never won a game over there, to be honest,” Hodge revealed.

“So it’s going to be tough but it’s always tough over there.

“The side we’ve got in, apart from being young, and we’ve been a little bit inconsistent but our best footy is really good.

“If we can be a bit more consistent...I expect to win. But it’s up to us and whether we play at our best. 

“Hopefully we turn up with the right attitude.”

The Crows will be boosted by the availability of full-forward Daniel Muir, who injured his hamstring in the loss to Griffith.

Leeton-Whitton will be without Ben Gaynor due to a knee injury, while Tyh Evans will be away with GWS commitments.

Under 17s player Tom Van Buuren will come in to make his senior debut, while Isaac Houghton also returns.

The Crows, the reigning premiers, have only won one of their opening three games with losses to undefeated pair Collingullie-Glenfield Park and Griffith split by a win over Narrandera.

Hodge certainly isn’t deflated by the inconsistent start.

“It’s sort of what I expected,” he said.

"We’ve struggled for consistency early but our best is better than what I thought it would be.”

Hodge said his team must try to limit their turnovers if they want more success.

“Turnovers have been killing us, especially when going through the middle,” he said.

“More often that not that’s resulted in a score to the opposition.

“But that comes with being young and I’m not against it. I’m not going to go crook on our guys for trying to take the game on.”

MCUE will be without Alex McCormack (fractured finger), Charlie Chambers (broken wrist) and Mick Byrne (unavailable) but welcome back ruckman Andrew Dickins.

Hodge expects the Goannas to play a similar brand of football to recent years.

“I wouldn’t imagine their game plan has changed too much from the last couple of years,” he said.

“They like to get it out in the open, especially from defence. They like to switch the ball a lot and get it out in space.”