Heavyweights clash in Ellinbank District footy

by Davyd Reid
ROUND five of Ellinbank District football will be headlined by a contest between potential heavyweights Ellinbank and Neerim-Neerim South.
Both sides have been among the form teams in the competition during the opening rounds, only dropping the points to undefeated ladder leaders Buln Buln.
Aiming to avenge a disappointing finals campaign last year, Ellinbank has carried strong pre-season form into the season proper, big wins coming over Catani, Nyora and Poowong.
Following a 10-goal loss to the Lyrebirds in round two, the match against the Cats looms as the next test.
The Cats also fell to Buln Buln, but only by four points in the opening round. Their position of fifth on the ladder is not an accurate indication, with the Cats boasting the strongest percentage in the competition.
Expect the Cats to collect the points, but they may be challenged against an Ellinbank side looking to establish itself among the contenders.
LANG LANG host Buln Buln in a night game, with the contest kicking off at 6pm.
The Lyrebirds will aim to keep their unbeaten record intact and recent from would suggest they will do so, a final quarter charge helping them to a comfortable win over Trafalgar last week despite missing some players from their full-strength side.
The Tigers have found some form following their opening loss, big wins over lower ranked sides in the past fortnight putting them just outside the top five.
Lang Lang will look for a competitive effort in its first real test, the Tigers no doubt mindful a loss will put them back two games outside the five given this week's fixtures.
YARRAGON will look to continue its momentum when it hosts Catani.
The Blues have been more competitive this season, but the building Panthers should start favourite.
Victory could see the home side jump to sixth and keep in touch with the top five.
TRAFALGAR should bounce back when it hosts Nyora.
While the Bloods have been building, they will take confidence from pushing Buln Buln last week - the Bloods in front at the final change of ends.
The Saints also saw an uplift in form last week, going down by one goal in a high scoring shootout against Longwarry, but should find the Bloods too difficult a prospect away from home.
LONGWARRY host Poowong in a battle between two mid-pack sides.
While percentage may be a concern for the Crows, currently sitting fourth, it also is for the Magpies who currently have the worst percentage in the competition.
Longwarry will hope for a win to consolidate its spot and improve its percentage, but will still need to work hard for the result against a plucky Poowong outfit that could trouble some sides in stages.
NILMA-DARNUM has the bye.