VIOLET TOWN v AVENEL
Violet Town has a huge challenge ahead of it when plays host to the unbeaten ladder leader Avenel.
The Swans are flying and the last meeting between the teams proved to be a disappointing day for the Towners.
Sean Horsburgh will be keen to see how far his team has come since that meeting while Avenel coach Donald Stirling will be urging his players to dish up another second half like last weekend when they bolted away from premiership contender Stanhope.
Violet Town will need an even contribution from its entire group that takes the field today, but the likes of Jonathan Poole, Christopher Bamford, Robert Staff, Lachie Foster and Scott Woolcock will be hoping to continue their good form from last weekend.
Stirling was one of his team's star performers in the big win over Stanhope while Kasey Duncan, Ashley Neville, Paul Arandt, Micheal McKenzie, Michael Berry, Andrew Green and Oliver Gabelich have been other Swans to be playing consistently week in week out.
Tip: Avenel.
STANHOPE v LANCASTER
Lancaster has dropped out of the top six after its big loss to Nagambie and coach Nick Bertoli will be looking for a response from his players in a bid to remain in the race to play finals.
Brenton Gray will be seeking the same from his players - a response after falling away in the second half against the Swans.
Alec Young, Lachlan West, Alex O'Reilly, Simon Collis, Thomas Hepburn and club leading goal-kicker Eric Edwards will need to fire to stave off what is likely to be a determined challenge from the visiting Wombats.
Bertoli will turn to some of his more consistent performers from last week in Sam Spedding, Michael Hill, Jack Donnell, Jason Casey, Zachary Cerrone and Jack Elliott to try and secure the all-important win.
Tip: Stanhope.
MERRIGUM v RUSHWORTH
The title defence of Merrigum is well and truly alive after the reigning premier recovered from a slow start to the season.
Christian Barnett's troops have been really good during the past six weeks and it is no coincidence that it has had a little bit to do with the return of some key players coupled with the recruitment of some really good players before the June 30 deadline.
Ashley Cluney, Daniel Clarke, Daniel Maher, David Matthews, Jake Ross and Geoff Connally have been some of the players pivotal for the turnaround and the Bulldogs will be wary to not let their guard down against an improving Rushworth.
The Tigers defeated the Bulldogs in their earlier meeting this year and Barnett will be reminding his players to be switched on from the first bounce.
Rushworth has got some top end talent in the form of Jason Hucker, Todd Clarke, Adam Harrap, Steele Lloyd, Craig Turner, Daniel Lambden and Ned Barlow.
These guys will be pivotal if the Tigers are going to upset Merrigum's run towards the finals.
Tip: Merrigum.
GIRGARRE v UNDERA
Undera will be chasing a third consecutive win when it heads down the road to take on Girgarre.
The Kangaroos remain a realistic chance to still play finals, but to do so it must win this match.
Standing between the Roos' winning the four points will be Daniel Breen, Jack Hajro, Keelan Mitchell, Christopher Gledhill, Matthew Cordy and Zac Brian.
This group of players have been instrumental in the Lions' back-to-back wins.
Girgarre will look to some of its most consistent contributors in Ashley Kirchhofer, Paul Parsons, Jake Hyland, Thomas Walsh, Michael Walsh and Nathan Marsh to keep their finals dream alive and claim the four points.
Tip: Girgarre.
OTHER
In the remaining two matches, Tallygaroopna should consolidate its return to the top six by accounting for Ardmona while Murchison should get its finals hopes back on track by defeating the ever-improving Longwood.
Tips: Murchison and Tallygaroopna
Last Modified on 14/07/2016 16:40