FOOTBALL
MGFL
A MATCH-UP taken for granted in the past two years will take centre stage on Saturday when second-placed Yallourn-Yallourn North faces the side one rung below on the Mid Gippsland ladder, Newborough.
An interclub cup is up for grabs between these two which the Bombers have not lifted since 2011.
Both teams have had one loss but won the last four on end, though there were some anxious moments for Newborough against Hill End last week.
The Bombers are in for a real test in all grades as Newborough regards this as their pinnacle for home and away matches.
Of the 107 games between these two, Newborough has forged ahead 56 to 51 with the last seven in favour of the Dogs.
For YYN it has been a stellar rise; after being wooden-spooners in 2013 and 2014 with two wins in total the Bombers now sit in second with four wins.
The Bombers were crushed by more than 100 points both times in this fixture last season, and will be on the hunt for redemption.
Newborough has found form since losing to Trafalgar in round one and this match will give an insight to the finals credentials of both outfits.
Thorpdale v Boolarra
THORPDALE has come out of its shell in the past three games for two wins and a creditable draw against Mirboo North last weekend.
The Blues are in sixth position and with injured players returning, there is a real buzz around the club.
Boolarra, on the other hand, is down the track a couple of places behind Thorpdale.
The Dees have also been competitive but injuries have put them under pressure.
Thorpdale forward Ilan Osman has been consistent up forward and with 17 goals has been a revelation, but needs more players around him to kick bigger scores.
The woodwork saved the Blues’ skins last week but early inaccuracy could have been their downfall.
Boolarra has a bevy of players who can score freely and it will be a battle between two evenly matched sides.
Trafalgar v Hill End
TRAFALGAR is in an unfamiliar position at number seven on the ladder with only two wins from five games.
It is a situation the Bloods would not be happy with as finalists last year.
Five weeks in the Bloods have not shown their true potential and could be better placed.
For their opponent, Hill End, it has been a ghastly season so far with five losses.
The Hillmen came within a whisker of a surprise win over Newborough last week but could not hang on to the final siren.
There were encouraging signs but it has been 11 years since Hill End lowered the Trafalgar colours.
Trafalgar should take away the points again but it will not be easy passage.
Yinnar v Yarragon
WITH more than 77 games between these two teams Yinnar holds the edge and would appear favourite once more against Yarragon.
The Magpies can’t do anything wrong so far with five wins from five games.
Yarragon is plodding along without much success, with no wins and an average just over 63 points per game.
Troy Lehman had 16 goals in four games but he dipped out last week after failing to score.
Yinnar has a powerful team and it would take a mighty effort to dislodge it from the top of the tree.
Morwell East v Mirboo North
FIFTH plays sixth when Morwell East meets Mirboo North in what should be an interesting match-up.
The East are three and two and have gone along nicely whereas Mirboo North has struggled with two wins and a first ever draw against Thorpdale.
Of the 88 games played between these clubs Morwell East holds the lead 45 to 43 but Mirboo North has won the past six over the Hawks.
The Tigers are on a team building exercise at the moment, blooding youngsters who will be the face of the North in the next few seasons.
Morwell East has the potential to be up there but will need to play a full game to collect the points over the Tigers.
