Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes take on Collingullie-Glenfield Park and Foster and his Melbourne-based teammates, Dylan de Britt and Nathan Byrne, expect the game to live up to expectation.

But MCUE are keeping it in perspective.

“I know about the last couple of years (rivalry) but I haven’t experienced it at all,” Foster said.

“I think it’s exciting for both teams, both being undefeated. But it’s not the be-all and end-all for whoever wins this weekend. I don’t think either team’s out for revenge or anything.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge though and the crowd – that’s one big difference to where we’ve been playing in Melbourne, the crowds and the atmosphere.”

Foster, 27, played some senior games for MCUE in 2009 when he was still in the under 18s and is enjoying his return.

“I’m impressed with the standard,” he said.

“There’s a lot of young blokes in most of the teams, it’s quick and a lot of run.”

Uniting with his younger brother, defender Ben, was also a factor in returning to the Goannas.

“He’s been going well – he’s improved since the start of the year and I think he’ll get better with every game he plays,” he said.

Foster is singing from the coach’s songsheet when he says the Goannas haven’t been consistent and are yet to play their best footy.

“I’d be concerned if we were at this stage of the year,” Foster said, pointing out they’re still getting used to playing together. 

That includes up forward, where he and de Britt are new faces in key roles in a forward line including Andrew Dickins and Ryan Price.

“We’ve tried a few different things up forward,” he said. “We’re hoping we don’t rely on myself or Dylan too much, we share them around.

Foster, who’s kicked 20 goals in five games, knows much of the attention on Saturday will be at the other end, where Demons coach Luke Gestier returns in a forward six boasting Brad Aiken and Marc Geppert.

“Obviously you check the paper each week and you know Geppert’s going to have been on the end of five or six,” Foster said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing him actually. I haven’t seen him for 10 years but he’s probably kicked 800 or 900 goals since then!”