Undefeated Lyrebirds and Bloods clash in EDFNL

by Davyd Reid
A CLASH between undefeated sides Buln Buln and Trafalgar headlines round four of Ellinbank District football.
As both were top three finalists last year - Buln Buln progressing to the grand final while Trafalgar made a straight sets exit, one could reasonably expect another good contest.
However, both teams enter the contest in different levels of form, despite both coming in undefeated.
The Lyrebirds overcame reigning premier Neerim-Neerim South in the opening round before big wins over Ellinbank and Longwarry, pitting them as the early team to beat.
Trafalgar have been able to bank the wins, including a close contest with Nilma-Darnum, all the while with a new look side still gelling.
The Bloods also built into the season last year and seem on a similar trajectory.
Buln Buln will start favourite, Bloods coach Tom Hallinan viewing it a free hit at an opportunity to see how they fare against one of the competition frontrunners.
OTHER matches should be hard-fought affairs that may prove key in the mid-table scramble for positions in the lower reaches of the top five.
Fourth-placed Ellinbank will be favoured to further consolidate its position when it travels to Poowong.
The Eagles have been in good form with a healthy percentage; the only blemish a heavy loss to ladder leaders Buln Buln.
Poowong were able to trouble its more fancied opposition at times last week, but is still establishing consistency under new coach Rod Grundill. Jack Hazendonk leads the way on field.
Ellinbank present a good chance to evaluate week on week improvement.
LONGWARRY will also look to consolidate its position in the five, when the Crows travel to Nyora.
Percentage took a hit in last week's loss to Buln Buln. While an opportunity may present to improve it against the Saints, the Crows will still need to display their best form.
The Saints only just accounted for rivals Poowong in the opening round, before bearing the brunt of the 2022 grand finalists in consecutive weeks.
The match will give an indication of how competitive the Saints can be among the middle-ranked sides.
NILMA-DARNUM host Yarragon in what looms as an important clash for both sides.
The Panthers will look to keep touch with the top five, while the improving Bombers will see an opportunity to claim their first win.
The narrow loss to Trafalgar in round two will give the Bombers some confidence at home, despite not faring as well away.
CATANI host Lang Lang, the improved Blues also looking for their first win.
The Blues ran fellow mid-table side Longwarry to within 10-points in round two, and will hope to trouble its opposition again at home.
The Tigers got their season back on track last week, comfortably accounting for Nilma-Darnum after a slow start against Yarragon.
The Tigers will look to continue to build on their form as they look to push towards a return to finals.
Neerim-Neerim South have the bye.