Lyrebirds head to Lang Lang

by Davyd Reid
A CLASH between ladder leader Buln Buln and third-placed Lang Lang headlines round 10 of Ellinbank District football.
Ahead of last week's round of fixtures, this match-up was eagerly anticipated as each side entered round nine with undefeated status.
That changed last weekend when the Tigers went down to fellow top four rival Ellinbank, not helped by the absence of spearhead Marc Holt who missed with a niggling injury.
All attention will be on whether he might return, which could set up a tantalising shootout with Lyrebirds key forward Patrick Ireland.
The reigning premier has taken all before them this season and will enter with slight favouritism, but all is in readiness for an epic contest between two contenders.
LONGWARRY will look to further consolidate in the top four when they host Nyora.
The Crows currently hold a two-game gap to the chasing pack of Nilma-Darnum, Trafalgar and Yarragon.
It's an advantage it will look to hold as they host the winless Nyora.
The Saints enter the contest fresh off the bye, and they displayed improved form in the fortnight leading up to that as Trafalgar and Yarragon could only kick away late.
Nyora will again aim to take it up to the opposition for much of the contest, but the Crows should be too strong in this one.
THE teams chasing in the mid-pack will be aiming for victories to keep in touch, with the clash between Nilma-Darnum and Yarragon shaping as pivotal in the race for the top five.
Both sides enter two games behind the fifth-placed Crows, with the team on the wrong side of the result set to fall further adrift.
The Panthers overcame Catani last week to join the chasing pack on three wins, but had to grind away for a narrow four-point win late after being on the wrong end of a couple of surges from the Blues.
The Bombers enter the contest on the back of a big loss to Buln Buln, but they weren't the first and certainly won't be the last to suffer that fate.
On overall form, the home side should have slight favouritism at home.
TRAFALGAR will also aim to keep in touch when they travel to Catani.
The Bloods, who admit they are looking to build with the return of players in the back half of the season, will need to play at somewhere near their best against a Blues outfit improving under interim coach James Williams.
Williams will be a key player for the Bloods to watch, given he was instrumental in providing drive to almost push his side to an upset victory last week.
Trafalgar enter favourite given they simply have too much to play for.
POOWONG host a rejuvenated Ellinbank side who last week established their credentials as a potential contender.
The victory over the previously undefeated Lang Lang saw the Eagles join the Tigers and Neerim-Neerim South with a seven and one record.
Already three games outside of the five, the season is starting to slip away from the Magpies.
Unless an upset win occurs, it will be an uphill battle for the Magpies.
Expect the Eagles to continue their charge here.
NEERIM-NEERIM SOUTH have the bye.