by Davyd Reid
Round seven of Ellinbank District football will provide another measure of how much the improving Nilma-Darnum and Longwarry have come along.
The fifth-placed Bombers will travel to take on the third-placed Neerim-Neerim South, who have dropped just one game to the reigning premier.
Meanwhile, the sixth-placed Crows take on second-placed Buln Buln away from home.
The Bombers scored a comfortable victory over mid-table rival Poowong last week to hold the front running for what should be the coveted last spot in the top five, inspired by the 1000th career goal to Luke James.
After almost a third of the way through the home and away season, just two games separate fifth from eighth, although Trafalgar will need some percentage boost in the coming weeks to put them back in contention.
The top four appear to have cleared out over the mid-table rivals, collectively only dropping the points twice and boasting healthy percentages over the 200 mark.
For the Bombers, it will be another test to see if they can compete with the leading teams as they come up against a Cats side coming in with a hot streak of five games on the trot.
The Cats will be aiming to ward off an equally impressive Ellinbank, who sit just four points in arrears in what could shape as a later battle for a qualifying final berth.
The battle between undefeated Lang Lang and Buln Buln is another later battle set to intrigue.
LONGWARRY face a similar test when they take on the undefeated reigning premier.
The Crows got close in a competitive effort against Ellinbank last week, inspired by the impending milestone of Jason Wells.
They will hope to show they could be around the mark by posing a challenge to the Lyrebirds.
POOWONG will also be up against it when they host the undefeated Lang Lang.
The Magpies have recorded strong wins against the lower ranked teams but have struggled when coming up against rivals higher up the ladder.
The home side will look to improve its form as it looks to stay in contention for another finals appearance.
ELLINBANK will aim to continue its winning ways when they host Catani.
The Eagles should start strong favourite against a team undergoing change as James Williams steps up for his second game as interim coach.
YARRAGON will look to carry its competitive effort from last week against Trafalgar for a strong result over a struggling Nyora.
Tyler Payrolli has made the decision to retire, but expect the Panthers to record a strong win to further bolster their confidence.
TRAFALGAR has the bye.