Stawell's reigning Toohey medallist Brent Tuckey damaged his groin in the Warriors' match against Minyip- Murtoa last Saturday and is out indefinitely, while key forward Julian Carr is still struggling to return from a dislocated knee suffered early in their win against Horsham.

Ruckman Jorah Margettson has also been ruled out for the rest of the season with three cracked vertebrae in his back, after a heavy clash against Horsham United a fortnight ago.

Stawell coach Dale Power said Tuckey was likely to miss at least two with the four-centimetre tear, while Carr could also be out for the season.

"He usually is right after a couple of weeks, but there has been more pain this time and he has missed four, so we are not even sure," Power said.

He said it was disappointing that injuries were happening at the business end of the season.

"We have a good reserves list so we are starting to wear our stocks down," he said.

"But when you keep losing topline players it is a bit hard to compete with the top sides."

Their opposite number Ararat are also under the pump with key midfielder Dale Bligh only a slight chance to line up this week. He is recovering from a broken wrist suffered in the Rats' disappointing round-16 loss to Nhill.

Ararat coach Scott Turner said Bligh had been taken to Wimmera Base Hospital to have a plate inserted into the break.

He said the plate had helped the break heal quicker and given Bligh an outside chance of lining up in Sunday's clash with Stawell.

"He could be a chance this week, granted the doctor gives him the all clear," Turner said.

"If that happens we have to then decide whether to save him for the following week in finals."

Turner said doubt over the fitness of key position forward Mick Fratin was unwarranted.

"He has carried a bit of a knee injury all season and that is why it looks like he is limping, but there is no real concern," he said.