Lyrebirds and Panthers headline EDFNL round six

by Davyd Reid
SIDES will continue to jostle for ladder positions when round six of Ellinbank District football is played out, headlined by a top four contest between Buln Buln and Yarragon.
In what may come as a surprise to some, the Panthers find themselves in the top four following the opening five rounds.
Led by new coach Jordan Wyatt, the Panthers have built into their season following an opening round loss to current third-placed team and 2022 finalist Trafalgar.
Granted victories have come against sides outside of the five in Lang Lang, Nilma-Darnum and Catani, it has created a springboard to their greatest test this season.
Lining up against 2022 grand finalist and current front runner Buln Buln is the litmus test Yarragon need, set to establish how much the Panthers have improved.
While staving off challenges from Neerim-Neerim South and Trafalgar, Buln Buln's best form has been ominous in an undefeated start.
Its big wins, headlined by a strong result over second-placed Ellinbank, include the Lyrebirds setting up last week's win over Lang Lang with a dominant middle period of the match.
The Panthers will hope to put in a competitive effort, but Buln Buln should be too strong at home on the back of key players returning to the line-up.
NEERIM-NEERIM SOUTH slipped out of the five following last week's loss to Ellinbank, with the Cats looking to bounce back when they host Longwarry.
Not helped by an early challenging fixture that has drawn top sides Buln Buln and Ellinbank, along with some player availability challenges, the Cats will be looking to commence a run back towards the upper rungs of the ladder.
Establishing some form will be key, with Trafalgar on the horizon in round seven.
The building Crows side enter the contest with indifferent form, getting the results over Catani and Nilma-Darnum. But they have also suffered a heavy loss to Buln Buln, were challenged by Nyora to within a kick and fell victim to Poowong last week.
Expect the Cats to be too strong at home in this one.
TRAFALGAR travel to Poowong looking to consolidate a position in the top three.
The Bloods' only loss has come at the hands of Buln Buln, conceding a final term charge.
Still boasting plenty of match winners in the line-up, Trafalgar should be too strong for the young Poowong side.
Although the Magpies would be hopeful of putting in a competitive effort, taking some confidence from last week's win over Longwarry.
LANG LANG head to Nyora with victory of upmost importance to keeping in touch with the five.
Despite some patchy form, the Tigers currently sit one game outside the top five with a relatively healthy percentage of 123.75.
An opportunity may present to build on that against the winless Saints, although Nyora can score if presented opportunities, as shown in the shootout with Longwarry.
With a bit more to play for, the Tigers should bounce back and get the result here off the back of a good final quarter against Buln Buln last week.
CATANI host Nilma-Darnum in an intriguing match between two sides on the improve to close out the round.
While both sides have occupied the lower rungs of the ladder in recent seasons, they have both been more competitive in season 2023.
Both sides are searching for their first win in a contest that could go either way, the Bombers perhaps having a slight edge based on pushing Trafalgar within a kick earlier this season.