by Davyd Reid
At the close of the shortened 2021 season, Ellinbank and Trafalgar sat as the top two sides in the competition.

The sides are set to renew hostilities on Saturday in a match that headlines what shapes as a competitive round of matches in Ellinbank District football.
With David Miller, Daniel Hayes and Kyan Karavasalis key ins over the off-season, the Eagles added to an already impressive line up that went through 10 games undefeated last season.
The streak continued last week, when the Eagles fought hard to stave off a challenge from an improved Poowong side.
With Trafalgar tipped to be one of the biggest challengers, all eyes will be firmly fixed on this contest.
Under new coach Tom Hallinan, Trafalgar have also added to their stocks with Mitchell Virtue and Blake Salter. In another boost, Daniel Puglia will be fully available this season to bolster the defence.
With Trafalgar entering the match with fresh legs, it promises to be a close contest. Home ground advantage may tip it slightly in the favour of Ellinbank.
Longwarry will host Poowong in what also promises to be a tight contest.
Led by eight goals from Braydon McHugh, the Crows recorded a strong victory over Nyora while the Magpies showed they are a much-improved unit, pushing league benchmark Ellinbank last week.
This is the type of contest where the result may heavily influence the shape of the mid-table battle for finals come the end of the season.
The Magpies will be keen to continue their strong form and will look for an important result away from home.
Buln Buln will look to bounce back when it hosts Lang Lang.
The Lyrebirds had their opportunities against Neerim-Neerim South last week and will need to improve on capitalising up forward as they come up against another strong side.
The Tigers have been building in recent seasons under Josh Collie. Having finished fifth last year, the Tigers will be looking to take the next step and these results away from home will be key to their prospects.
Holding Tigers key forward Sean Dwyer could be key for the Lyrebirds, who are well equipped for talls.
An improved Yarragon side will get an early opportunity to measure where it is at, hosting fellow round one winners Neerim-Neerim South.
The Panthers recruited well over the pre-season, and much interest has been around how much they can improve.
Yarragon scored a strong win over Nilma-Darnum ­­­­last week, but the Cats will offer a sterner test.
The Cats are tipped to be a finals prospect, with the match set to determine how far off the Panthers are from mixing it with the better sides.
A struggling Catani will host Nyora.
The Saints will enter the match disappointed from last week's performance and will want to bounce back in a big way.
The Blues are tipped to struggle this year but will give themselves every chance at home.
Nilma-Darnum will get the chance to freshen up after a difficult start last week with the bye.