Make no mistake. This week’s clashes at Mars and Hillcrest are so much more than just “Games of the Week”.

The men’s game between Norwood and Forestville will separate the competition’s tied leaders, the winner gaining a one game ascendency over its opponent and 2007 premiers North Adelaide. All three teams would be confident of winning their round 9 games next week, meaning that this game could also provide the psychological advantage of leadership at the season’s half-way point.

Meanwhile a similar situation exists in the women’s competition, with league-leaders North and Southern doing battle at Hillcrest. The winner would elevate to be a game clear of 2006 premiers Sturt, however a round 9 match between North and Sturt means that half-way bragging rights are far from finalised.

With Pero Vasiljevic waiting in the wings for the Eagles, and similarly Jo Hill for North, these games take on the extra significance of perhaps the best chance for Norwood’s men and Southern’s women to get a victory before lineups are finalised.

Forestville’s men are riding the crest of a wave at the moment, having won games by 48, 58 and 36 since their 3 point thriller against the Rockets. North’s women are also on a roll, winning recent games by 52, 22 and 20, before a tougher 12 point win over Woodville.