by Davyd Reid
TOP five teams Poowong and Neerim-Neerim South meet in a clash that headlines round 14 of Ellinbank District football.
The fourth-placed Cats travel to take on the fifth-placed Magpies, with a lot changing since the former prevailed to the tune of 102-points in round three.
Despite that margin, the Magpies were able to win the third term on that occasion, the Cats otherwise controlling proceedings. The margin was somewhat exacerbated by a 10 goal to nil final term.
The Magpies have since built their form under new coach Rod Grundill, progressing to the top five and entering the run home as a likely finalist.
Running Buln Buln to within 17-points three weeks ago demonstrates a new-formed ability to be more competitive against the leading teams.
Fresh off the bye, Poowong will look for another competitive effort against a Cats outfit still on the hunt to finish the home and away rounds with the double chance.
Having already suffered a blow in only taking two points from the contest with Yarragon, despite being well ahead, the Cats can ill afford to drop games against lower ranked opponents from here.
LANG LANG will look to move a step closer to the top five when they travel to take on Nilma-Darnum.
Much like last year, the Tigers enter the back half of the season needing regular wins in the chase for a finals appearance.
They started their run with a comfortable win over Yarragon last week and will look for more of the same.
Should results fall their way, the Tigers could finish the round four points and percentage outside of the top five.
Nilma-Darnum will hope to continue their improvement as they still hunt their first win, but the Tigers simply have too much to play for.
BULN BULN will look to bounce back when they host a Longwarry side that showed improved form last week.
Despite controlling most aspects of a contest played in heavy conditions last week, the Lyrebirds were denied for the first time following a frantic final play from Ellinbank.
They will look to recover well ahead of providing a response back at home.
The Crows comfortably accounted for fellow mid-table rival Catani last week and will hope to continue that form with a competitive effort.
The match presents as an opportunity for the sixth-placed Crows to measure that improvement.
TRAFALGAR will look to collect the points and ensure they hold third place on the ladder when they travel to Catani.
The Bloods have been getting the job done over the lower ranked teams and should continue that trend.
Scoring problems could potentially present for the Blues, with key forward Lauchlan Gregson electing to plea his case at the tribunal after being cited on match day last week and offered three weeks.
ELLINBANK will look to continue its impressive form when they travel to Nyora.
If recent victory over Neerim-Neerim South wasn't enough to make the pundits step up and notice, last week's win over Buln Buln sees the Eagles emerge as genuine contenders.
Expect Ellinbank to be too strong.
YARRAGON have the bye.