Lockhart coach Mitch Carroll looking forward to his first taste of the rivalry with Osborne

The Demons will return home for just the second time this season when they host ladder leaders Osborne at Lockhart Sportsground.

It is always a big game between the two arch-rivals, made bigger by both club's start to the season.

Osborne are undefeated after six rounds, while Lockhart have been one of the competition's biggest surprise packets, winning their last five straight on the road to be just one win behind the Cats.

Carroll is looking forward to the occasion.

"I've obviously heard plenty about the rivalry and I'm thinking it would be pretty similar to the Coolamon and Ganmain rivalry," Carroll said.

"That puts it into perspective a bit.

"I'm pretty sure when the draw comes out, the first thing Osborne and Lockhart do is see when they play each other.

"The boys are pretty excited and have been waiting for this one."

Wins over Jindera, Culcairn, Murray Magpies, Henty and Howlong, all away, have Lockhart entering Saturday's home game full of confidence.

But with no team having been within 50 points of Osborne so far this year, Carroll understands the size of the challenge in front of his men.

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"It will be our biggest test," he said.

"It is Osborne's year. It's there grand final to lose, they're red hot favourites. Their closest win has been about eight goals so they're winning and they're winning well.

"We've obviously got to play as good as we possibly can...there's no point worrying about them, we'll concentrate on playing our best footy and focusing on what we can control and see how we go."

Andrew Emery, Jordan Harrington, Jesse Margosis and Chayte Burkinshaw have been leading the charge for Lockhart this season as they look to return to finals for the first time in more than a decade.

Carroll expects a tag on Harrington this Saturday and is wary of Osborne coach Joel Mackie, if he plays, and the Cats' talls, consisting of the likes of Jamie Parr and Kodie O'Malley.

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