Port Fairy coach Dan Nicholson is making the most of clear messaging

Port Fairy jumped back into fourth spot with a 14.5 (89) to 11.7 (73) victory over South Warrnambool, who move down to fifth, on its home deck.

The second-year playing-mentor said being consistent with his side helped them rediscover form capable of beating teams above it.

"We are at a stage now where even the guys coming into the side know exactly the role that they have to play," he said.

"Previous years we have lacked that education a bit and guys have come into the team a little blind but now everyone understands their role when they come into the team."

The Seagulls have a number of stars to return after late withdrawals looked like it would derail their quest for victory against the Roosters.

Matt Sully and Jim Conlan were pulled from the side named on Thursday night due to general soreness while James Imbi played no further part in the game after quarter time with a tight hamstring.

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Nicholson said he would not rush the McCartney brothers - Xavier (soreness) and Sam (knee) - back in "until they are ready".

The midfield-forward was pleased to see Lachie Glare having an impact in his new role as a defensive forward after he shut down Roosters' intercept marker Harry Lee this week and Hamilton Kangaroos' Jandre Slabbert last week.

The Roosters were also affected by late withdrawals with Sam Thompson (ankle), Jesse Gallichan (hamstring) and Tim Brown (hamstring tightness) all failing to get up for the match.

Defender Charlie Bradshaw was also concussed early in the match and played no further part in the game after quarter time with coach Mat Battistello confirming he would miss next week.

Battistello conceded his side is struggling with continuity after its third straight loss - the previous two against Warrnambool and North Warrnambool Eagles.

The first-year mentor said a focus on the basic aspects of the Roosters' gameplan would allow his side to regain the winning form it has enjoyed for most of the season.

"Our transition ball movement is really good and also when we can get our running style of game going," he said.

"But it was about maximising opportunities and some fundamentals, for three weeks in a row now, that we can ultimately make excuses for.

"But we can't make excuses for fundamentals and they have just got to work hard on getting those right and when they do we know our system stacks up so we will just keep working hard and it will turn around."

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