Winless after 10 matches, the Spitfires face an uphill battle to avoid relegation with eight matches remaining in the season.

But Beath remains optimistic the Spitfires can remain in the top level and he says the benefits will be massive if they can.

“If we can just scam a couple of wins we will be able to stay up, three wins will probably do it,” he said.

“We need to beat a couple of teams that we are not expected to do so and I think that we can do that, we have been close to most teams.

“We have improved so much already, and that’s the thing if we do stay up it will be much better for us next year.”

Because of a number of players having Victorian Country commitments later in the season the Spitfires will play their round 14 match against Waverley at Waverley today despite being originally scheduled for a bye.

The Spitfires went down 4-2 against the Melbourne-based side earlier in the season in one of their better showings.

The talented Joel Shepherd was sent off in the contest which allowed Waverley to come over the top of the Border side.

The Spitfires will be boosted by the return of captain Justin Ellis from under-21 state duties with the ACT team.

“It’s always a massive boost to get your captain back,” Beath said.

“He’s also a very good player.”

Andrew Maggs is in a race against time to prove his fitness from an ankle injury while youngster Sam McIntosh is unavailable.

Former Spitfires captain Jarrod Shepherd will play for the SS&A Magpies in the coming weeks after training on Wednesday night with his home club.

While it is unlikely he will play for the Spitfires this season, Beath said he would love to have him back.