With its top-five place in danger, Traralgon is geared up for a tough encounter when it travels to Moe in round 13 of Gippsland League football.
Hot on its heels in sixth place is the improved Wonthaggi Power, which is level on points and not far behind on percentage.
In the corresponding game last year, Traralgon led Moe comfortably at half time and kicked the first goal after the break to lead by more than five goals.
From that point Moe kicked the next nine goals and restricted the Maroons to five behinds to win by 23 points.
At home Moe is a tough side to beat with wins against the in-form teams of the competition, Morwell, Bairnsdale and Warragul, as well as impressive performances against Drouin, Wonthaggi and Sale.
Jason Macfarlane is well aware of the history between these two teams and will have his players geared up for a decent crack at the opposition.
Bairnsdale v Morwell
Fresh off a confidence-boosting win against Leongatha, Morwell travels to Bairnsdale in an effort to secure its position on the ladder and gain some much-needed percentage points.
Damien Kerr is keen to “get the job done” and he could have several players back including Shane Ryan, who is back from suspension, and possibly Daniel Hutchison, Pat McNulty and Matthew Scholz.
Bairnsdale is capable of turning its form around at home and Kerr is well aware of this.
In the Redlegs’ favour is its recent record against the Tigers, having won their last three encounters.
While the statistics favour the home side, Morwell is in fine form and if it is to be considered a premiership hope, it must win this and win it comfortably.
Sale v Wonthaggi
Wonthaggi will have a good idea whether it is a final-five proposition after its clash with premiership favourites Sale in the match of the round.
At home Sale is unbeaten this year and boasts the best defence in the competition as well as the leading goal kicker in Matt Ferguson.
Sale looks too strong and if the Power are to play finals, then their destiny is in their own hands.
Leongatha v Maffra
Leongatha is home to Maffra in what should be another top contest, and the 100th meeting of the two sides. The Parrots broke the longest winning sequence of 22 wins by a club when they toppled Maffra earlier this year by 31 points.
Colin Sanbrook and Dwayne Holt may be back for the Parrots, who were both missed last week against Morwell.
Maffra has been hot and cold this year, but turned it on against Warragul last week with Adrian Burgiel kicking nine.
With Burgiel at one end and Dwayne Holt and Jake Best at the other for Leongatha, defenders from both sides are in for a busy afternoon.
Warragul v Drouin
On Sunday arch rivals Warragul and Drouin clash in what will be a keenly contested match at Western Park.
Both sides are out of the running for a final five spot, but this game is all about local pride.
Drouin’s form of late has been good while Warragul is still feeling the effects of George Morgan’s resignation.
On form Drouin may be too settled for the Gulls and make it six wins in a row in this local derby.
