The ruckman, who accrued five votes from the coaches after Saturday's big win at Turvey Park to take a one-point lead in Riverina League player of the year voting, hurt his knee in the final game of last season.

Work commitments delayed surgery until late, but he has still returned as arguably the best ruckman in the competition.

"I ruptured my PCL and did my MCL in that last game (last year) and didn't get the operation until late," he said.

"The fitness is still lacking a bit and I can't do all the running (at training), the knee blows up and it's always going to.

"It's about maintenance there and Sam (coach Sam Martyn) been good with that, just monitoring me and he understands my body.

"I'm a key player and an older guy missing out on one training a week, it's not easy for a coach so kudos to him for understanding that."

Olsson's dynamic partnership with ruck offsider Dan Foley has helped him run out games.

The pair alternate between the ruck and up forward, with Foley also bagging two goals in the 113-point win over the Bulldogs.

"Foles is a work horse and he got a couple himself. He might give away a bit of height in the ruck but he's a competito,r and his around the ground skills are better than mine anyway.

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"He's a lot more mobile and he's another on-baller. it goes hand in hand, but it's working well."

The second-placed Lions (9-1) host a surging Collingullie-Glenfield Park (fourth, 6-4) in the match of the round on Sunday.

The Demons have won five of their last six games, using a high-pressure, contested ball game plan to grind out some tight wins.

In their first clash this year Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong led by just three points at half-time before blowing out the margin to 71.

"We've been fortunate we haven't had those close games, but if we do it's another challenge to experience and that makes you a better football team," Martyn said.

The Lions, who have a better percentage than unbeaten Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes, have set the goal of claiming top spot before finals.

They lost to the Goannas by 49 points in round five, and will likely need to win their return bout in round 14 to claim the minor premiership.

"We gave them respect but nowhere near enough. They're very solid in all their key positions," Olsson said.

"They kicked six early goals and it's hard to come back from in a game like that. They're a benchmark to keep working toward."

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