by Nicholas Duck

The second week of the split round is here in the Gippsland League, with two games on the agenda. One of the league's most storied recent rivalries will resume again, while Drouin will be on the hunt for a second win in a row on enemy territory. Here's how the action is shaping up this week.
Leongatha vs Maffra
Location: Leongatha Recreation Reserve
The Gippsland League's greatest rivalry of the past decade adds another chapter this week in what will be a vital clash for Maffra.
The two teams have been the perennial ladder leaders, setting the standards for every other side in the league for years.
And while Leongatha has maintained their spot at the top of the pile, currently sitting as the only undefeated side in the competition, the story has been a little different for Maffra. The Eagles are in a dogfight for fifth spot, having sat outside the top five for much of the year.
Their closest rival in Morwell has slipped though, allowing them to break in, and with the Tigers being demolished last week against Wonthaggi, a win here would have the Eagles in pole position to claim yet another finals berth.
For Leongatha, the minor premiership was sealed weeks ago, meaning the result here won't be having too much effect. But with the prospect of a perfect season well and truly on the cards, one suspects the Parrots would be very keen to see out the season with a nice big zero in their losses column.
Making things even harder for Maffra is the fact that the Parrots are welcoming back the likes of leading goalkicker Aaron Hillberg, as well as stars Aaron Heppell and Cameron Olden.
Winning at Parrot Park is the hardest assignment going in the league at the moment, and barring a resurgent appearance by the Maffra of old its difficult to see them getting up here.
Moe vs Drouin
Location: Ted Summerton Reserve
Drouin will still be buzzing after their win last round against Bairnsdale as they look to make it two in a row this week against Moe.
The Hawks broke the shackles in the final term against the Redlegs, putting their running power to great use as they overran their opponents to end a 10-game losing streak. It was a great reward for a side that has showed solid improvement as the year's gone on without being able to break through.
And with a new coach in Brent Clinnick incoming this off-season, the Hawks would love nothing more than to end the season on a strong note to give him plenty to work with.
It all begins this week against Moe, who have had some serious struggles as the season has continued.
After winning their first games of the year, the Lions have managed just two more from their past 10. The team has been utterly cursed by injuries for much of the year and have rarely been able to get their best side onto the park for a long while.
This has led to some truly poor losses, with their 142-point defeat to Sale last round being the worst.
They'll be keen to atone for it, but will also be strongly aware that their last meeting with Drouin was a tightly fought contest that they just barely managed to escape from.
With the Hawks on a high, a second win in a row is a serious possibility, but with home ground advantage one would think Moe should get the job done.