Fresh from a confidence-boosting win over last year’s grand finalist Wonthaggi Power, Moe travels to Drouin to take on the Hawks.
Despite a strong start to the season, the much-improved Drouin has lost its past two, conceding points to Traralgon and Maffra.
The Lions on the other hand held on to beat the Power by six points after a hard fought contest.
“The win over Wonthaggi was a really good confidence booster for us. We know now we can match it with the top sides,” Moe coach Adrian Burgiel said.
“They are in a similar position to us, it will be a 50/50 game… it depends who turns up to play.”
Burgiel conceded there were some sore bodies to come out of round four.
Midfielder James Blaser led the Lions in a best on ground performance, while Gippsland Power player Gavin Low has settled in well to his new role in the Lions’ backline.
Moe has won its past three clashes with Drouin, including a match in round seven last year – the Lions’ first success on Hawks territory since 2007.
Traralgon v Bairnsdale
TRFM Gippsland League surprise package Traralgon will be vying for its fourth straight win when it hosts Bairnsdale in round five.
The second-placed Maroons claimed their biggest scalp last weekend and in doing so broke Sale’s run of 29 straight wins at home.
Among the standout performers in recent weeks, Traralgon coach Mark Collison said his side must continue to improve each week.
“We have Bairnsdale this week, so if we can get the win there it sets us up,” Collison said.
Traralgon hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the Redlegs, who have won there just eight times in 71 visits.
Maffra v Morwell
The clash between Maffra and Morwell will go ahead at Maffra, despite some efforts to relocate the game to the Latrobe Valley due to the condition of the oval.
Fresh from consecutive wins, Morwell coach Joel Soutar said his side was looking forward to the challenge.
“They are a good side, always tough to beat,” Soutar said.
The first-year coach said he was still to decide who would get the job on last year’s leading goal-kicker Darren Sheen.
“There are a few options, but they have got a few goal-kickers with Bedggood down there too,” he said.
“We will just be concentrating on our structures and our ball use and doing our best to stop them getting the ball down the ground.”
Sitting in third on the ladder, the Eagles have dropped just one game so far this season, losing to ladder leader Leongatha in round three.
Morwell has had the upper hand over Maffra in recent years, winning six of the past seven head-to-head battles.
Wonthaggi Power v Warragul
Wonthaggi coach Rob Railton said his side would be taking nothing for granted when it hosts Warragul.
“Every team this year is capable on the day,” Railton said.
“The past couple of years there has been one or two teams where you would be confident you are virtually a shoe in (but) not this year. You have to be on your game every week, for the full four quarters.”
Railton’s cautious approach should come as no surprise, following the Power’s shock round four loss to Moe.
“Hopefully we can bounce back,” he said.
Sale v Leongatha
Unbeaten ladder leader Leongatha travels to Sale to take on the Magpies.
Sale’s confidence suffered a blow last weekend when it conceded its first loss at home since 2011.
The round five matchup promises to be another tough one for the home side, against the red-hot Parrots.
Last Modified on 08/05/2015 12:09
