Nagambie v Avenel
Both of these teams have been in sensational form and after today’s clash one of them will still be unbeaten.
Despite some key departures in the off-season, Linc Sullivan has done an outstanding job to find suitable replacements.
One of those replacements – Martin Shadbolt has fitted in so well that some have him as one of the early fancies to claim the league’s highest individual honour.
In a further boost for the Lakers is their ability to find multiple options to kick a winning score each week.
They have had plenty of players hit the scoreboard on a regular basis which makes them a very difficult team to match up on.
Mathew Waterson, Daine Lowry, Hamish Winter-Irving, Mitchell Sanderson and Anthony Haysom led the way last week in the big win over Rushworth.
The Lakers also have the luxury of knowing they have had the edge against their arch rival, but they know they will need to play well to continue their winning form.
Avenel has been brilliant from the opening day of the season when they came to Stanhope and complete the perfect smash and grab.
The return of Kasey Duncan has been a huge boost for the Swans.
There is no doubt has come back to the club a better player having spent a season at Goulburn Valley League club Seymour.
He hasn’t missed a beat since he returned and he will be keen to lead from the front against the Lakers.
Ashley Neville, Micheal McKenzie, Scott Tyers, Donald Stirling and Grant Hateley were others to contribute to the big win over Girgarre.
Stirling knows that for his team to get the four points and one up on their rival they will need to deliver four consistent quarters.
Anything less and they will be beaten by a very good Nagambie team.
Lancaster v Tallygaroopna
This is one of those games like the one early in the year against Girgarre that Tallygaroopna must win.
So far, Tallygaroopna has been very consistent this year. We are yet to see them against some of the big guns of the competition other than loss to Nagambie.
Lancaster has been very good this year after a first up hammering at Nagambie.
Nick Bertoli is doing a great job of implementing some of the club’s premiership winning thirds from 2015.
But what is proving very difficult for him is keeping guys on the park.
At the weekend against Merrigum, the Wombats lost three more troops to injury which hampered them in the second half.
He will need to find three guys to come up from the seconds or thirds to fill the void.
Michael Hill, Zachary Cerrone, Michael Orr, Jack Elliott, Jack Donnell, Coby O'Neill and Colby McDonald all played well against the Bulldogs.
They will again need to play well for the Wombats to be a chance against Tallygaroopna.
The Redlegs’ showed no mercy against Undera and Chris Earles will be driving home the importance of starting off the game with the right frame of mind.
Douglas Wren, ace full forward Brent Arho, Austin Tricarico, Lachlan Karl, Jayden Goodwin and Russell Sheriff have been some of the key contributors and they will need to ensure they maintain their high standards to take the four points.
Girgarre v Stanhope
Girgarre copped a huge reality check when it went to Avenel last weekend.
There is no doubt the Kangaroos have improved, but appear to lack the depth to run with the really top teams of the competition.
Girgarre’s defence will have their hands full trying to contain the likes of Matt Forys, Eric Edwards and Jye Patten.
These guys have all kick big bags of goals in their recent big wins over the past three weeks. Troy Schwarz is likely to be given the task of one of the key trio.
Ryan Jones, Paul Parsons, Ashley Hughes, Ashley Kirchhofer, Dwayne Fitzpatrick and Luke Whykes will need to continue their good form of last week while Michael Coad, Thomas Durward, Simon Collis, Lukas Hanslow,
Alec Young and Blake Coyle are the others leading the way for the Lions.
In the other matches, Violet Town will be out to consolidate its place in the top six with a trip to Ardmona, Merrigum will be out to make it two wins on the trot when it travels to Longwood and Murchison will be out to end its run of outs against Undera.
My tips: Violet Town, Merrigum, Murchison, Stanhope, Tallygaroopna and Nagambie.
Last Modified on 09/05/2016 09:03