Poowong v Trafalgar
The game of the round this one. The top two sides face off at Poowong in what may be a slog, with the forecast showing wind and rain, which could play a factor and could see some changes at selection.
Poowong come in with just one loss suffered last week to the Cats, while Trafalgar are yet to fall, meaning this is set to be a ripper.
The ruck battle between Conor Cunningham and Dylan Farrell could be key for either side in getting the advantage.
Farrell has been brilliant this season for the Bloods as has Cunningham for the Magpies and whenever they play well, their side usually wins.
The midfield battle between Klay Butler and Jack Hazendonk will be one to watch, both with the ability to win plenty of the ball as well as float forward to impact on the scoreboard.
Poowong coach Chris Doria will be a notable out, while Jake Anderson will miss through injury.
The Magpies back six have been decimated by injury lately and will have another big task when they come up against Daniel Mann.
Mann has booted eight goals in his first two games this season and should be the target again going forward for Trafalgar.
Nick Visser, Alex Doria and Patty Harmes have all been fantastic for Poowong so far this season and they’ll need to stand up again on Saturday if the Magpies are to stave off the Bloods in what’s tipped to be a terrific game of footy.
Nilma Darnum v Nyora
The Bombers have shown considerable improvement this year, something coach Matt Shorey was after in his fifth year at the helm. He’s challenged his side and so far, they’ve responded to a degree.
They have remained close in most games this season and after the disappointment of round one, have really made teams work to beat them.
This week they take on another young developing side in Nyora at home and will fancy their chances if the last month is anything to go by.
Isaac Ketchen will be a huge in for the side, the talented midfielder back a week earlier than expected from a hamstring injury barring any setbacks at training.
Tanner Thomsen has brought the heat in the middle, his tackling pressure needing to be a feature again, while Nick Carrigy’s work in the ruck has been able to give the side a spark across the ground, and a contested marking target down the line.
He’ll need to feature heavily if the Bombers are going to grab their second win in 2021.
It’s been an up and down year for Nyora. A victory over Yarragon in round two the shining light so far.
They’ve had a week off to refresh and will head into the clash with their eyes firmly fixed on singing the song on Saturday afternoon.
They’ll be a red hot chance in a game that could go either way depending on which side gets the jump early.
The Heylen brothers were dominant in the Saints last outing and will need to be watched closely, while Kallon Rigby has been superb.
Taylar Gard is another one to watch for the Saints, his work across the ground impressing so far and he’ll need to play a big part if Nyora are to beat the Bombers away from home.
Ellinbank v Yarragon
Ellinbank are just one of two teams remaining undefeated in the league so far and showed they’re a real premiership favourite after a big win over Longwarry on Saturday.
Tom Johnson has found form over the last two games and will be one to watch, while the addition of coach Ben Wragg has given the forward line a boost.
The mix of experience and youth has shone through, with the likes of Mick Urie and Anthony Battista standing up alongside youngsters Bryce Joyce and Blake Notman.
Most would say it’ll be a one-sided affair, but Yarragon have shown they have the ability to take it up to the top sides, only two weeks ago pushing Poowong to the limit until late in the game.
There will be ups and downs, one coming last week in the heavy loss to Lang Lang, but there are signs they are developing.
They’ll need a big match from Tom Dovaston, who has booted two or more goals in the last three games, while Sam Van Der Zalm has started to impose himself after missing round one.
It’ll be one of the greatest challenges the Panthers have faced this season, but they’ll lean on the fact they controlled the ball well against Poowong and may try to do it again on Saturday if they are to cause the biggest upset of the season.
Lang Lang v Neerim South
Another contest that could be a ripper. Both sides are coming off terrific victories and are playing a great brand of footy.
The weather may play a part in the sides moving the ball differently with the wind forecast to whip up at Caldermeade Rd.
The big one to watch is Daniel Lewis up forward against the tough Neerim defenders. Tim Beaurain did the job on Trevor Hooker last week and may get the assignment on the gun forward, who is coming off a bag of 10 against Yarragon.
The Tigers will need to work out a way to stop Tom Muir from exiting the defensive half with ease, he set up much of the play from the back half last week and if Lang Lang are to win, they’ll have to pay some attention to him.
Kody Wilson was everywhere against the Magpies and was the main ball winner in the middle alongside Cooper Clancy. Young Tom Crole presented up at the footy well but didn’t take his opportunities, so Lang Lang won’t want to gamble on him missing again.
Josh Collie’s side have levelled the ledger and are knocking on the door of the top five, sitting sixth after their six games.
The key up forward will be Lewis, who has now kicked 17 goals from his three games this season and is the real danger man for the Tigers.
Brad Harding and Mitch Tribuzi have performed well in the past two weeks for Lang Lang and if they are to beat the Cats, will feature again.
Both sides are jostling for the fifth spot and come September, whoever makes it may look back on this game as a defining one.
Buln Buln v Longwarry
Longwarry will travel to face Buln on Saturday, one which now sits as a must win for the Crows if they are to keep in touch with the top two going into the middle rounds.
They fell to Ellinbank and the loss comes with it the added loss of Kane Oldham and Ben McKenna, two important players for the side. Both will miss due to concussion, now in the mandatory 12 day break they must have before returning.
They have added Jackson Caddy to the fray, the ruckman leaving Catani for the Crows last week and he covered the loss of Duncan Proud well.
Proud and Riley Rundell are 50/50 calls for the match, one that Longwarry will want to control early, knowing that giving the home side a sniff is a dangerous thing to do.
Buln got on the board last week with a win over Catani and they’ll go into the game with some added confidence.
Brent Waddell returned to the midfield, meaning Jake Herbel was able to head back and lead the defensive unit in a best on ground display.
However, Buln lose Charlie Park to a hamstring injury suffered last week. They’ll be confident they can cause an upset this weekend with the likes of Rakip, Trent Baker and coach Michael Kreun looking to lead the charge.
If Proud isn’t able to get up for Longwarry, the big role on Matt Gray will go to Caddy.
Gray has dominated around the ground and if he isn’t watched carefully, could do the same this weekend.
Coach Aaron Paxton may also be on the sidelines for longer, scans revealing the damage to his dislocated finger is worse than first thought.
Ben McHugh was dangerous up forward with three majors last week, while Jason Wells will want to stamp his authority on the match early and as always, will be a key to their success.
Oldham leaves a hole in the Crows midfield, but good sides always find a way and expect the highly fancied Crows to come out firing after dropping two of their last three.
Buln will know the Crows may be vulnerable and will back in their system against a top two favourite. Longwarry will go in favourites, but don’t count the Lyrebirds out.