Games played: 92 (Morwell East 46, Mirboo North 46)
Last time: Mirboo North 15.13 (103) Morwell East 3.7 (25)
Morwell East’s clash with top side Mirboo North takes match of the round billing with just two points the difference on the Mid Gippsland Football League ladder.
This game is important for both teams to sustain current form; the third-placed East have had two close games – a draw and a one-point win – in the past two rounds and have been playing well without attracting too much attention.
It will be a big test for the Hawks against Mirboo North, but the Tigers could be without up to five quality players due to injury, which should narrow the odds for Morwell East.
History shows that Morwell East has not beaten Mirboo North since 2010 so there is a big incentive to break the run of outs.
Morwell East will no doubt want to christen its new scoreboard with some big numbers and a win, but could find Mirboo North too strong at the finish.
Games played: 111 (Newborough 70, Thorpdale 40, drawn 1)
Last time: Thorpdale 6.10 (46) d Newborough 5.7 (37)
IN the corresponding match last season Thorpdale defied the odds and defeated Newborough.
This time around the boot could be on the other foot.
Newborough is playing consistent football and is second to Mirboo North only by percentage.
Thorpdale has two wins and the potential to rise further up the ladder but Newborough looms as a major bulwark to progress.
The Dogs have a wealth of talent just ready to break into senior football and given the chance will create the basis for great teams for the future.
Newborough is on track at this point of the season and should continue with another win.
Played: 158 (Yinnar 118, Boolarra 37 drawn 3)
Last time: Yinnar 19.14 (128) d Boolarra 10.5 (65)
Yinnar’s fall from top to fifth in two weeks will be hard to take for the Magpies and they’ll be out to give their opposition a hard time in an effort to regain lost ground.
The Magpies are trying new things and giving promising juniors a go at senior level ,which will benefit the club long-term.
The club has been playing against Boolarra since 1885 and there is a great rivalry between the two teams.
The Demons were expected to be one of the high fliers this season but with one-from-six they’ll need to get a wriggle on if they want to be up there at finals time.
With their good mix of youth and experience the Magpies should take out the match.
Games Played: 97 (Trafalgar 80, Hill End 17)
Last time: Trafalgar 14.16 (100) Hill End 4.5 (29)
HILL End is expecting a big roll up of supporters for its Balfour Trophy match against Trafalgar.
It’s been a long time since the Hillmen won against the Bloods, with their last victory on 22 May 2004, in a 23-game losing streak to the Bloods.
There will be five players coming back for the Hillmen in this vital clash.
Without a win for a number of games they will be eager to get points and relegate Trafalgar to the bottom of the table.
Trafalgar has two points on the board, courtesy of a drawn match a fortnight ago, and will be keen to add to this.
Games Played: 62 (YYN 45, Yarragon 16, 1 drawn)
Last Time: YYN 27.10 (172) d Yarragon 3.4 (22)
YARRAGON has already equalled last year’s run of four wins and, with just a third of the season gone, is out for plenty more.
The big test is yet to play out and fourth-placed Yallourn-Yallourn North will provide stiff opposition.
The Bombers have also won four of their six games but have come up against the top teams and should win against Yarragon.
Some recent injuries could put YYN at a disadvantage but its strength lies in depth and coach Adam Bailey should be able to cover the missing players.
? All senior teams will observe a minute’s silence for the death of former Latrobe Valley Umpires Association member David Drane who passed away recently.
