North Gippsland Football will see round 12 split over two weekends, with three days of intriguing contests to be highlighted with four of the competitions top five sides to meet in what may be season defining encounters.

Cruising to victory last Saturday ladder leaders SALE CITY will host tough competition in reigning premiers
CHURCHILL. Two kicks separated the sides in round three, with costly inaccuracy in front of goal resulting in the Cougars boasting a score line of 7.19 (61), one that would prove telling at the final siren.

The sides have met on four occasions in the past season and a half with the ledger sitting at two apiece. City claiming the honours in round five last year by 17 points, before dropping the points nine weeks later by a barnstorming 89 point margin with Churchill again coming up trumps in the closing minutes of the preliminary final on the way to premiership glory.

The rivalry between the clubs is one that matches that of the best, with Churchill coach Allan Chandler fully aware that the stage is set for an epic battle.

"It's a massive clash this week, they are a class side and given time and space will hurt you," said Chandler.

"They have got some many good players across the lines which makes them tough to match up on.

"We know that we need to be playing our best footy for four quarters to beat them," said Chandler.

Enduring an indifferent start to the season, drawing even at 2-2 in the opening month, the Cougars have elevated themselves into the top five to sit in fourth position one game shy of this week's opponent. In contrast the Dogs perched themselves at the top of the table through a barnstorming opening month and appear on track for a prized double chance come seasons end.

In their current form, the sides are among the inform teams of the competition with City having won their last six matches on the run. This week's opponent Churchill has strung together a winning streak of three since the general bye including a one point thriller over Heyfield.

Little separates the sides on paper both line-ups boast solid back six lines who have held their own in past rounds against formidable opposition, power forwards - with Churchill's go to man Nick Campbell who has booted 14 majors in his last three outings eager to fire in front of goal, while the duel between the engine rooms will be sure to enthral with both sides boasting marquee midfielders.

Aware of the Dogs ability to score from many avenues to goal Chandler knows the omission of one of his key back six will put a dent in his defensive lines armour.

"We will have Robert Wilkie out this week which will hurt our back line, but we have had some real improvement in our younger players and some of our older brigade have just started to hit their straps," said Chandler.

WOODSIDE and GLENGARRY come into round 12 following mixed fortunes, the Wildcats suffering one of their biggest losses of the season while the Magpies were staunch in defeat in the contest between the opposite ends of the table, bottom and top.

Boasting young lists who continue to evolve, both coaches will see Saturday's clash as an opportunity to seize a moral boosting victory. The question is which side has the depth and ability to hold their nemeses at bay?

In their earlier meeting, it was the Wildcats who opened their season ledger with victory on the road. On that day Tom Love was the impetus in front of goal booting six, with coach Daniel Risol leading the charge with a best on ground performance in his sides 78 point win.

But the Magpies are a different prospect, like the Wildcats, their younger brigade continues to tally match time and show improvement. Last week the side matched City in the opening quarter, with the Dogs winning margin reduced significantly from first time around and the week prior they pulled together a strong final term showing to hold Cowwarr goalless. If Glengarry can draw on this form, a win is on the cards ahead of the week's break.

SATURDAY 11 JULY

An unpredictable GORMANDALE outfit will be out to improve on their win loss ledger, but it will take a solid four quarter effort and their best football if they are to hold a rebounding YARRAM at bay.

Dropping the points for the first time this season on their home turf, the Demons found themselves again short of the mark against TTU. With their end of season ambitions hinging on the results of coming weeks the Demons will be aiming to return to the winners list after winning just one of their last three matches.

Boasting a win loss ledger of 7 – 4, Yarram sits outside the five by a mere 1.53 percentage points behind next week rounds opponent Heyfield. Pending showdowns against Heyfield and Rosedale in the coming fortnight, sides that they accounted for first time around, Pavey's chargers can ill afford a slip up.

It will be far from one way traffic for the Demons, who will meet a Tigers line-up that will be out to restore some pride following patchy play in the match against the Kangaroos. However, with a losing margin of close to 11 goals last time the man at the helm of the Tigers, Luke Henderson will need to have his side firing.

HEYFIELD returned to the winners circle with a stellar performance to move back into the five and keep their finals pulse beating.

Returning home to their fortress which hasn't been a happy hunting ground in past rounds, the Kangaroos will host COWWARR who felt the full effects of the reigning premiers after quarter time.

The Saints will take comfort in the fact that the Kangaroos didn't have it all their way first time around, however as the competition draws towards the pointy end and with clashes against Yarram, Sale City and Rosedale over the course of July this is a must win for last year's grand finalists.

For the second time this season TTU had Yarram's measure, with the Bombers flying high after knocking over the Demons on their home turf. The win saw the Bombers leap frog the competition to move into third position, to place the Bombers for the second time in as many weeks with match of the round status when they meet the side above them in ROSEDALE.

Speaking ahead of the three v two game, Bombers coach Jay Neagle is concentrating on just one thing rather than getting drawn in on all the commentary.

"I like to just worry about our game, and not worry about the opposition too much," said Neagle.

"It we play the best that we can and put in 100 percent and get beaten then that's all I can ask for."

Reaping praise on his young list and the improvement that they have shown, Neagle is upbeat on the side's prospects.

"I am pleased with how we are going and it is a credit to all the players that have bought in this year and are continuing to work hard and learn as well as having fun, it is important to get that balance right."

Neagle will be fully aware that his side will need to put together a strong four quarter effort to avoid a repeat of their round four encounter which saw the Bombers held goal less until mid-way through the second term. If history is to repeat itself and they allow Rosedale to blow out to a commanding lead in the opening term the home side will be relegated to playing catch up footy against a quality outfit.

By Lauren Carey