A LOT will be at stake in potentially the most important Mid Gippsland football match of the round when Yallourn Yallourn North tackles Trafalgar.
The Bombers looked an improved team against 2014 finalists Yinnar last weekend but now comes up against top team Trafalgar, which fought off a gallant Newborough.
The potential is there for the Bombers and if they fail for a second week in succession it will be a disappointing blow, given the attention surrounding the club since Adam Bailey was appointed coach.
It will be a huge task for Bailey to lift YYN off the bottom and meeting two finalists in the opening two rounds is a tough baptism.
Trafalgar looked good in the opening round and again will be hard to beat.
The return of interleague coach Chris Kyriacou added drive and the form of Darcy Brock and Joel Bragagnolo would have pleased the faithful.
Trafalgar appears favourite to take out this game but can expect a tough opposition.
TWO round one losing teams Newborough and Yarragon will face off with neither team keen to be 0-2.
With almost half of last year’s grand final team gone Newborough will be team rebuilding while Yarragon has scoured the Ellinbank League and picked up players in the hopes of moving up the ladder.
Newborough struggled up forward against Trafalgar but should have the ability to kick more than six goals this time around to go in as favourites.
NEIGHBOURS Boolarra and Mirboo North will lock horns and the scene is set for an exciting match after both won in the opening round.
Boolarra coach Tony Giardina has been plagued with back problems and has found it painful to coach but his spirits should be up as his team did everything asked of it.
Mirboo North would have been pleased with some new recruits firing, especially around the forward line, and they are expected to do well against Boolarra.
The Demons had 10 goalkickers in their clash with Yarragon but Ken Towt, Jesse Giardina and Sam Mazou are the primary targets.
The Tigers will be hard to beat but the Demons may give them a good run.
HILL End faces Morwell East in what could be another close match.
Both have picked up new players, the East were good winners over Thorpdale with their little men taking control, but they tired toward the end, while Hill End was competitive against the reigning premier.
The genuine lack of a tall forward is a big worry for the Hillmen; they can deliver the ball but have no-one to kick their goals.
Morwell East would have been pleased with their new boys and can expect to have a good season.
The Hawks should edge this out in a close contest.
THORPDALE hosts Yinnar in what looms as a tough task for the home side.
Yinnar looked the goods against YYN but lapses of concentration could have seen a different result.
The inclusions of Julian Blackford (Morwell) and Jaime Aitken (Traralgon) are a big bonus to an already strong line-up.
Thorpdale struggled in its last outing and will be awaiting the return of three key players who are currently sidelined.
The Blues played some good patches against the East but inaccuracy at crucial stages let them down.
Yinnar would appear to be too strong and should make this its second successive win.
