by Davyd Reid 
Trafalgar become the latest side to attempt to challenge Neerim-Neerim South when round 11 of Ellinbank and District football plays out on Saturday.
After the Cats comfortably accounted for Longwarry last week, another top of the table clash awaits as the Bloods enter carrying some strong recent form.
The Crows may have ended up with a similar amount of scoring shots last week, but the Cats' dominance was on show early with the first seven goals.
Trafalgar will be aware of the need to challenge from the outset if they are to run with the Cats.
It was a second quarter lapse that cost the Bloods last time they met, conceding four goals on the way to a 32-point loss.
Last week's form suggests it will be hard for any side to get close to the Cats this season, tipping this contest in their favour.
BOTH Ellinbank and Yarragon will look to maintain the challenge for the top five when they play host to lower ranked opponents.
The Eagles will host Nilma-Darnum, while the Panthers take on Catani.
The Bombers will take some confidence they are taking an improved direction, their last three weeks bringing two wins and letting the other opportunity slip in a narrow loss to the Saints.
The Blues, meanwhile, will hope to rediscover some of their improved early season form.
The Eagles and Panthers enter their contests with five wins, breathing down the neck of a fifth-placed Lang Lang side with six wins and a drop off in recent form.
While being weary of what their opponents can bring with their best form, getting the points is far too important an opportunity to slip in their challenge for the top five.
LANG LANG host Nyora needing a response.
After overcoming an early challenge from Bunyip a fortnight ago, the Tigers dropped the points at Darnum last week to make their position in the five somewhat more vulnerable.
While the Saints have shown improved form against the lower ranked teams this season, the Tigers will hope for as strong win to rediscover some much-needed form.
AFTER breaking their 1036-day drought last week, Bunyip will host Buln Buln.
Last year's reigning premiers have flown under the radar somewhat to enter the contest sitting nicely in fourth spot with seven wins.
The Lyrebirds will be favoured to win this contest comfortably and further consolidate their position.
LONGWARRY will aim to return to the winners list when they host a struggling Poowong.
The winless Magpies should find the going difficult against a Crows side looking for a big response following last week's loss to the ladder leaders.