Cats to battle unbeaten Tigers

by Davyd Reid
A top of the table clash between Lang Lang and Neerim-Neerim South headlines round eight of Ellinbank District football.
The Tigers enter the contest as one of the teams to beat, entering the round undefeated along with reigning premier Buln Buln.
The Cats have jumped to second following a hot run of form, winning six on the trot since its opening round defeat to the Lyrebirds.
The strong form has demonstrated the Cats are still very much in contention, thumping the fifth-placed Nilma-Darnum by 119 points last week to improve its position to second.
The Cats also hold that spot by virtue of the Lyrebirds having the bye, whereas Neerim-Neerim South's is still to come.
The Tigers will hold slight favouritism at home in a contest that will give a good guide of the Cats' credentials against one of the competitions front runners.
NILMA-DARNUM'S next challenge comes in the form of fourth-placed Ellinbank.
Suffering a heavy defeat to the third-placed Cats last week, the Bombers will be hoping for an improved effort against an Eagles side looking to firmly establish itself among the top four.
On current form the Eagles should be too strong in this one.
LONGWARRY host Yarragon in a key contest between two of the mid-table sides.
The Crows will look to bounce back from its defeat to the reigning premier as they eye off a return to the top five.
Longwarry will need to be weary of a Yarragon side that found some of its better form in its second half against Nyora last week and will want to keep pace with the mid-pace pack.
With a spot in the five back up for grabs, the Crows have more to play for and should be favoured in this contest.
TRAFALGAR will travel to Nyora looking to resurrect its season after a slow start.
A potential opportunity to boost its percentage would be welcomed, as the Bloods find themselves just four points but significant 31 percentage point gap outside the five.
Nyora demonstrated some improvement in competitiveness last week, particularly in the first half.
It's a trend they will hope to continue, although Trafalgar should be too strong.
CATANI will host Buln Buln.
The Blues also hung in for much of its contest against Ellinbank last week and will again aim to provide some nuisance factor for the reigning premier.
The Lyrebirds could take second spot back pending the result between the Tigers and Cats.
POOWONG has the bye.