Northern Jets forward Matt Wallis prepares for first derby against Temora since leaving Roos

But the Northern Jets forward will know all about being on the other side when the Kangaroos welcome their traditional rivals, and the former premiership player, on Saturday.

"It'll be different. It will feel a bit strange but, I don't know, you just treat it like any other game," Wallis said.

"Being there for four or five years and going across to the neighbors, it's going to be a different feel. And to be honest, I've never actually been in the away change rooms so that will be a first. I've never even poked my nose in.

"It'll be tough and you expect a bit but hopefully it'll all be in good spirits."

Moving from Temora this year, Wallis wound up his time with the Kangaroos, which began in 2014. He was originally going to focus on work but signed with the Jets days out from round one.

"I'm enjoying it. I wasn't going to play at all this year, the body was starting to run down, but I'm just enjoying a bit of a sea-change," he said.

"I've got no negatives at all, it's been a good change and I've got no regrets."

With two wins and two losses, the Jets are chasing their first success against a top five side.

"It's a tough game, they've always been big rivals and you expect nothing less on the weekend but it'll be a good indicator of where we are, as a club," Wallis said.

"If we can get over Temora, it'll probably run a bit of confidence through us. But if not, it's probably back to the drawing board."

Wallis said their leaders through the middle, Mitch Haddrill and Jack Fisher, have been well supported by ruckman Matt Carroll, backman Brad McKinnon and young players like Henry Grinter, Hamish Gaynor and Paddy Bray.

But he said Temora have "plenty" of strengths making Saturday a serious challenge.

"You'd struggle to find a weakness there. The addition of Jacob Turner, he's a big in for those guys (this year) and Max Richardson down back sounds like he goes alright so it will be a pretty tough gig," Wallis said.

Temora's midfielders Sam Jensen and Kieran Shea will make a late call on their fitness but Rob Krause has taken on their prime midfield role this year and his rivalry with Ben Prentice could be one to watch.

Kangaroos coach Jake Wooden said they're wary of allowing the Jets off the chain early, given their habit of strong starts this season.

And he expects his side to heed a lesson after their first loss, going down to Marrar a week after narrowly dodging defeat at The Rock.

"A few little habits were creeping in and not the type of footy we want to be playing," Wooden said. "We weren't playing great footy but we were winning so Marrar was a bit of a wake-up call, which was good, and got us back on track - the last two weeks' training has been really good."

The Jets are coming off a double-bye although Wallis, coach Mitch Haddrill and captain Jack Fisher were all involved in the Farrer League's one-point loss to the Hume League last week.

The game ended in disappointment but Wallis, who captained the Farrer League in 2015, said he enjoyed the honour of representing the league.

"I did. I always enjoy rep footy," Wallis said.

"It's a time to put your hand up for the league and play with the better players and against some pretty handy competition.

"It's a good indicator of whether you've still got it or not and I suppose the league in general, we get an indication of where we're at and whether we're falling behind the pack, or getting better. It's a good measuring stick and a great experience.

"And Brad (Aiken) was a great coach as well... I couldn't quite dedicate the time to training this year due to work but if Brad's going to keep sticking his hand up, then I'll keep sticking mine up, provided the body's alright."

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