by Rob Popplestone
Extra interest been thrown into Mid Gippsland football with Thorpdale, MDU and Morwell East all showing significant improvement.
All three are capable of having an impact on the make up of the top six, and all three believe they can actually be a part of it.
Round five will throw up some intriguing contests on Saturday.
Thorpdale v Hill End
The Blues are coming off one of their most pleasing victories in a handful of years; defeating the respected Mirboo North on the Tigers' home deck just last week.
Thorpdale had been showing signs that a win might be on its way after three commendable performances in the opening three rounds. Now, in the blink of an eye, they have the very real chance of making it two in a row.
Thorpdale coach Jason Winderlich said Saturday was a great day for the club and a good reward for the playing group.
"It's an extremely even competition this year, so we expect another good challenge against Hill End at home," Winderlich said.
You might have pencilled this match up as one Hill End would be expected to win in the pre-season. But, right now, Hill End are the hunted. They will need to find something extra to overcome their current "blues" after last week's loss to Newborough.
Hill End coach Mike Santo said it was the last quarter that blew his team away, reflecting "our inaccuracy around the goal clearly didn't help".
"We did battle and I don't think the scoreboard gave our effort justice," Santo said.
There is no easy pathway this week for the Rovers. Santo will be hoping, or more precisely coaching, as though it's their last chance to remain in touch will those sides above them.
Newborough v Morwell East
Only one of these two unbeaten teams will continue to hold that title after this weekend. As good as they have been, the Hawks will no doubt know more about themselves after the round five clash with Newborough.
The Bulldogs on their home deck are a powerful unit. In fact, they are on any ground at the moment. They will be ready, willing and able to give the Hawks their toughest test to date.
"I'm looking forward to an early top of the table game at home, with a chance to get a bonus four points in front of our past players' reunion," Newborough coach Craig Skinner said.
The opportunity to showcase to past players that this may well be another year for the Bulldogs to celebrate won't be lost on Skinner. However, he and his talented team won't have everything their own way.
Morwell East coach Paul Henry said he can't wait for this clash.
"The spirit in these boys is something else," Henry said. "And that's exactly what we are going to need again this week in what will be our biggest test yet."
For the winner, clear air at the top of the MGFNL ladder beckons. For the loser, it's back to a chasing pack of clubs.
Fish Creek v Foster
To say a win is crucial for these two teams would be a massive understatement.
Fish Creek, under the guidance of coach Jarrod Walker, has shown "patches" of what is required to win games. The Kangaroos will need to give more and do more to be in a position to claim the points against the visiting Foster.
The Tigers have managed to taste victory on a number of occasions already this season, but will not be wanting a repeat of the sort of inaccurate finishing they showed in their defeat last week.
"What do they say about bad kicking...it was going to catch up to us after the last few weeks, and last week it did," Foster coach Sam Davies said.
Fish Creek would love the Tigers to give up chances in front of goals but, more importantly, need to focus on being better themselves.
"Some good learnings for us to take from the game last week," Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker said. "So it's time for us to roll up our sleeves and start putting in the hard yards."
There is no shortcut or easy passage to success at any level. The Kangaroos' performance this week will make obvious whether they understand that or not.
Mirboo North v MDU
MDU would have done some forward scouting on this week's opponent and possibly walked away from the Tigers' loss to Thorpdale with a plan of how they might also be able to claim victory.
It really is an early fork in the road for Mirboo North, who might well have had last week's clash with Thorpdale as one they expected to win.
Pressure can quickly build in such a close competition. That pressure will give us an early look at what the Tigers are made of.
"Last week we did have a chance to snatch victory in the last 30 seconds, but it wasn't meant to be," Mirboo North coach Peter Mongta said. "It was a disappointing loss for our club, but we have to turn our focus now to MDU this week and get on with it."
Without question, that is what the Tigers must do. Last week's surprising loss to Thorpdale is dead and buried, but a win this week can quickly get the Mirboo North club up and about again. What stands in their way is MDU.
"We had a really good day as a group last week," MDU coach Nathan Allen said. "We moved the ball well and the most pleasing thing was turning the forward entries into scores."
As good as the Demons were last week, you get the feeling they will need to be even better this week.
Stony Creek v Toora
Two teams currently sitting at the wrong end of the MGFNL ladder will no doubt be preparing to throw everything they have into this clash.
Toora, coming off the bye, have had time to refresh but also see the Demons account for the Lions firsthand.
A handful of the Magpie players may not have been on the trip to Hill End just a few weeks ago, but they will have no problem in the journey to Stony Creek this week.
"We have had patches where we have looked okay, but just not for long enough," Toora coach Jack Weston said. "We have had a solid three weeks where we have learned a lot, but we were looking forward to last week's bye."
Both sides are more than capable on their day, and there will be no excuses from either side this week.
"Last week our skills let us down, just lacked that polish going forward," Stony Creek coach Chris VerBoon said. "We will take some positives out of the game but have a bit to work on before Toora this week."
Yinnar v Tarwin
Winning form is good form, and these two teams bring that into this week's game.
Tarwin showed another side to themselves last week, taking on and defeating Boolarra in a real "shoot out" against the Demons. The Sharks kicked better than 20 goals of scoring.
However, whether they bring that game style into this week against Yinnar, will be of most interest.
"We keep learning about ourselves and also the competition," Tarwin coach Troy Hemming said. "This week we have our first away game at Yinnar. Huge game!"
Yinnar are preparing for perhaps their biggest challenge of the season. Last week's win over Foster has them well placed.
"Our depth has been challenged, which has given us no other option but to play the kids," Yinnar coach Daniel Taylor said. "And once again, they were fantastic."
"Tarwin this week is another challenge that we're looking forward to. They look to be in good form, so we'll have to be at our best to get the win."
It promises to be one of the better and more interesting clashes of the round.
For the winner, the momentum continues. For the loser, it's a sure sign there is work to do.
Bye: Boolarra