Poowong v Neerim Neerim South

Finally, the Cats will be running out onto their new turf at the Neerim South Recreation Reserve. It’s been a long time coming for the side, off the home track since August 2019 and they return in red hot form.

They’ve flown under the radar so far this season, but clubs can’t afford to fall asleep against them. 

After an early loss to Trafalgar in round two, the side have hit their straps with big wins against Nyora and Nilma Darnum.

Kody Wilson has fired from the get-go and is the main man in the midfield for Brent Mounsey’s squad, but has had ample support from Tom Muir across halfback, the former junior now back to his best after overcoming injuries.

The pairing of veteran Chris Urie and young gun Tom Crole has also given the side a different dynamic, constantly putting the pressure on opposition defenders. 

Poowong sit comfortably on top of the table after five rounds, playing an extra game. However, injuries are still the main issue for the Magpies, with five of their starting six in the backline going down hurt in the first month.

Jack Hazendonk has been important for the team in the opening month and will be again, the match up in the middle against Wilson set to be a ripper for the many spectators who are sure to be lining the fence.

Nick Visser has worked into the season as well and may be the key for the Magpies alongside ruckman Conor Cunningham. The Cats have been waiting to make a statement this season and Saturday could be it if they can take down the top side, while Poowong will want to prove injuries won't be their downfall in 2021.

Ellinbank v Longwarry

This pips the contest above for game of the round. There’s history here, the Crows defeating the Eagles in the grand final in 2019, something Ellinbank certainly haven’t erased from their minds, while Longwarry will want to prove they still have the wood over the Eagles.

Longwarry will go into the game missing coach Aaron Paxton who misses with a hamstring injury paired with a finger dislocation, while AJ Lees will also miss, his quad injury to keep him out for another few weeks.

Riley Rundell will miss with an ankle injury, while Duncan Proud will be a big out for the side succumbing to the sore back he played with last week. 

Jason Wells has been dominant in the first month, booting 24 goals in the first four games, but comes up against an experienced backline this week headlined by Jake Harper and Matt Farthing alongside youngster Bryce Joyce who has starred early on. Watch for the trio to try and nullify the impact of Wells.

Kane Oldham was quieter last week for the Crows, but Grant Paxton stepped up and may have played himself into some top form against the Tigers and Bailey Stephens will be looking to shark anything that comes his way in the middle and will find the footy more with Rundell out.

It’s been a pristine start for the Eagles, who face their first real challenge on Saturday. Mick Urie has wound back the clock with three straight best on ground performances and the battle in the midfield could decide the contest.

Ellinbank coach Ben Wragg returned over the weekend and will work into the season, while Chris Dunne and Shaun Phelan have been superb in front of goal and could break the game wide open if allowed too much space.

Expect some heat in the game, both sides wanting to take bragging rights in what could be another finals preview.  

Catani v Buln Buln

Both Catani and Buln are hungry for a win, Buln especially sitting without one in 2021 so far.

They should get coach Michael Kreun back for his first game at the Lyrebirds barring any set back at training, while Trent Baker was also touted to return after the bye and Brent Waddell will slot back nicely into the midfield after missing against Ellinbank. 

Buln have shown they have the talent and have put their game plan into action in patches, but coach Kreun will be hoping to see a four-quarter effort on Saturday. 

Stopping Matt Gray may be a tall task for Catani, the gun ruckman stamping his authority on the game despite the score line against Ellinbank in round three.

Sean Symes has also had a consistent first month of footy for the Lyrebirds and Buln will hope that continues as they chase their first victory.

The Blues were up against it last week against the Eagles but showed fight in the final term with four majors. 

Cody Banbury has been a solid contributor for the team and will need to find the footy again if they are to top Buln, while Vaughn Campbell has been important to the side and will be on Saturday.

Jackson Caddy will hope to keep Gray under wraps somewhat, and if he can halve the contest with him, it will go a long way in seeing Catani grab their second win of the year. 

Trafalgar v Nilma Darnum

The Bombers will get another opportunity to show their improvement against a strong side in the EDFL, taking on the Bloods at Trafalgar. 

Nilma Darnum have shown glimpses this season, the biggest their win over Yarragon in a Clay Ketchen masterclass, but they haven’t been able to hang tough with the stronger sides just yet.

They are still missing a key cog in their midfield in Isaac Ketchen who is still 2-3 weeks off with a hamstring, but Tanner Thomsen has filled the void well in his absence and must be a factor if the Bombers are to cause an upset.

The big ground could suit gun runners Dylan and Blake Cann, while Ketchen could get into some leading space if Trafalgar aren’t careful. He’ll need to have a big day if they are going to be the ones signing the song on Saturday afternoon.

Trafalgar swung the changes last week against Nyora and played a few players in some new positions, whether that sticks remains to be seen.

Kyriacou went forward and may return to his halfback role this week, while Darcy Brock will look to continue his stellar form from last weekend between the midfield and forward line.

Expect the Bombers to come out firing, coach Matt Shorey wanting to see a quicker start this week than against Neerim, while Trafalgar will hope to remain undefeated in their new league before facing off against some of favourites in the coming weeks.

Lang Lang v Yarragon

Josh Collie’s men were jumped from the first bounce on Saturday and if it hadn’t been for the 41-point deficit at quarter time, the Tigers may have given Longwarry a scare.

They adjusted well after the first break and it will give them confidence going into the game against Yarragon and Luke Collie is one the Panthers need to pay attention to. 

He was allowed to roam out of the backline last week and helped set up the fightback against the Crows, while Nick Prowd has only grown in confidence after being back at the club from Gippsland Power duties.

Clint Fulton is set to miss some time through injury, Andy Thompson may also miss this week and more with a hamstring injury suffered last week. 

Collie was impressed with how his side fought back in the match last week and will hope to see them come out with the same intent come Saturday.

Yarragon will also go into the match with some added confidence after the game against Poowong. Most thought it could be a drubbing, but the Panthers’ ball movement was slick and they managed to put the Poowong players under the pump. 

Tom Dovaston will have a big say if Yarragon are to get over the line, while the likes of Tom Follett, Dylan Armour, Anthony Daraio and Beau Runnalls will need to fire.

It’s an interesting game, one that could go either way after last week’s results for both.