by Davyd Reid
A clash between second-placed Ellinbank and third-placed Neerim-Neerim South headlines round 11 of Ellinbank District football.
With the Cats boasting a superior percentage, it ensures the victor will take second spot as the home and away season passes the halfway point.
Neerim-Neerim South enter the contest fresh off the bye, ensuring a good amount of preparation time for the in-form Eagles. It could prove key with the Cats coach unable to enter the playing arena.
Ellinbank enter with strong form, knocking off the previously undefeated Lang Lang a fortnight ago before comfortably brushing aside Poowong last week.
Expect a close contest between two of the better sides in the competition, looking to establish themselves as a competitor for the ladder-leading Buln Buln.
TRAFALGAR will host Nilma-Darnum as both sides look to close the gap to fifth-placed Longwarry.
With the Crows the last of the sides to have their bye, the victor of this clash between sixth and seventh will close within four points and percentage.
The Bloods comfortably accounted for Catani last week while the Bombers shook off a persistent Yarragon as both sides recorded victory to remain in the hunt.
Trafalgar will hope for victory to continue its build through the back half of the season, while Nilma-Darnum will have confidence its best form is good enough.
NYORA and Catani will be gunning for their first win of the season in a bottom of the table clash.
Both sides have shown improved form against Yarragon in recent weeks and will relish the opportunity for a rare win.
On form the Blues will have slight favortism, having got within four points of the Panthers a fortnight ago.
BULN BULN will be favored to continue its unbeaten run when they host Poowong.
The Lyrebirds have taken all before them to date and that should continue against a Magpies side falling out of finals contention.
Poowong enter the round four games and significant percentage outside the five, which could take another hit this weekend.
LANG LANG will look to bounce back from a difficult fortnight when they travel to take on Yarragon.
A loss to Ellinbank and heavy loss to Buln Buln have seen the Tigers slip from top of the table to fourth.
Lang Lang will look to recapture some of its strong form with victory set to return them to the top three.