by Davyd Reid
Top teams have an opportunity to further establish themselves within the top five in round 11 of Ellinbank District football on Saturday.
The match between fifth-placed Longwarry and seventh-placed Lang Lang shapes as match of the round; both teams having experienced indifferent form this season. The Crows have demonstrated strong form at home, having recorded wins over fellow top five teams Buln Buln and Ellinbank, and will start favourite as they look to maintain their one game advantage over Poowong below.
Having fallen away in the second half to go down to Ellinbank at home last week, the Tigers are now two games off the pace. Dropping this game will make the race to qualify for finals much more difficult.
Trafalgar will look to consolidate its hold on second when it hosts Poowong.
The Bloods are just one game clear of the chasing pack, all vying for the valuable double chance come end of the home and away season.
Trafalgar will need to work for the points, with the Magpies having plenty to play for.
Currently one game outside the five but with superior percentage, pulling off an upset will prove a significant advantage in what looms as a tight race for the finals.
Ellinbank have climbed back into the top five, a position they won't want to relinquish.
The Eagles will host Nyora, and must simply get the job done to keep its rivals in the mid-section of the ladder at bay.
The Saints will look to continue their build and put in a competitive effort, as they look for some upsets along the way to help shape the make up of the final five.
Buln Buln should continue to build on its confidence when it hosts Nilma-Darnum.
Having escaped to the tune of just three points in wintry conditions at Yarragon last week, the Lyrebirds should get an opportunity to play themselves into form and fine tune their game.
The Bombers played the wet conditions well last week to get within nine points of its first win, but should find its opposition too strong this week.
Neerim-Neerim South should build on its advantage over the rest of the competition when it travels to Catani.
Already holding a clear advantage at the top of the table, the Cats should be far too strong for Catani despite the Blues taking some confidence from their first win last week.
Yarragon have the bye.