The Work Safe game between Jeparit Rainbow and Hopetoun at Jeparit should be a tight and tense affair with both sides yet to record a win and desperate to get the four points.

Despite the differences in the final scores, last week's loss to the star studded Ouyen United outfit was probably Jeparit Rainbow's best performance of the year. For long passages of play the Lakers matched it with the Demons and went goal for goal in the first and third quarters. In the end it was the United ex AFL players that made the difference.

Hopetoun has been disappointing this season. They have been humbled by the Cats and the Roos and although they were somewhat better against the Demons in their last outing, the Devils have a lot of work to do to make an impact on the league this year.

With Andrew Watson at full forward, Greg McLeish and Ryan Bulluss playing further up the ground, the Jeparit Rainbow forward line functioned well despite limited opportunities against United. When the Laker midfield was able to quickly and accurately deliver the ball into their forward line they looked good and got results.

Josh McCleary has been a big bonus for the Lakers in the ruck. He does a lot of strong work around the ground and never gave up trying against the classy Laurence Angwin last week. Heath Clugston is in good form while Chris Meyer is another recruit who has fitted in well.

Coach Luke Werner was pleased with Lucas Edelsten last week. Jerry Wilson had been one of Ouyen United's best recently and Edelsten had the job of limiting his influence on the game and he succeeded to a large extent. Edelsten will be a key player this week as the Devils have several high profile fast running players that will need shutting down.

Defender Adam Schultz battled hard all day against Damien Cupido. He will be another key player this week and could get the job on Bryce Wellington if he is available to play.

Jeparit Rainbow will need to play four quarters of solid football this week and improve their decision making and kicking around the ground if they hope to defeat Hopetoun at home. They may be able to do just enough to get the points.

Beulah v Ouyen United

This game at Beulah matches up first and second on the MFL ladder in what should be an enthralling encounter with many highlights for the big crowd that is likely to turn up. It will be well worth the price of admission to see the calibre of player such as Damien Cupido, Micah and Callum Buchanan, Laurence Angwin and Relton Roberts strut their stuff on Mallee soil.

Beulah at home will be very hard to beat. Their opening to the season has been impeccable after humbling the Lakers in Round One, then thrashing last year's premiers Walpeup Underbool and last week recording a stunning come from behind victory against the Tigers. There shouldn't be any changes to the Beulah side that recorded that memorable game last week.

Ouyen United is also in red hot form. Their best players are match winners. Cupido was in awesome touch against the Lakers and Angwin was in total control all over the ground. Roberts delivers the ball with an accuracy rarely seen in this neck of the woods.

But the Blues are no slouches. They have a strong backline lead by Rory Shannon, Luke Spasic and Kim Hallam, all very experienced and all three in very good form. Scott Smith is finding touch and Micah Buchanan is proving to be one of the best players in the league with a huge 41 disposals last week.

Dennis Redden and David King are forming a very potent forward line for Beulah with Callum Buchanan getting amongst the goals. Tom Hallam had a successful return to the football field last week and finished with five goals.

Beulah will look to use their pace in an effort to smash Ouyen United at the clearances. This should concern the Demons as for long periods of time last week, Jeparit Rainbow was able to get the ball out of the centre even with Angwin and Leigh Gniel getting the hitouts. If the Blues win the battle of the centre, it will allow David King and Dennis Redden plenty of opportunities to score. It will also effectively cut off supply to Cupido and without the star full forward kicking goals, United might battle to hold off Beulah.

Walpeup Underbool v Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers

In the third of three evenly matched MFL games, the Tigers travel to Underbool where the Roos rarely lose. Walpeup Underbool will be expecting a tough contest made even more challenging for the reigning premiers as they will be without a number of key players due to injury.

David Piasente is in doubt after straining a hamstring last weekend. Ben Fisher is also likely to miss after being concussed at Woomelang and Wade Champion is no certainty to play after injuring his hamstring in the same game. The injury curse has definitely hit Walpeup Underbool.

A run of injuries can open up the way for a club's younger players to put themselves under notice. Unfortunately for Walpeup Underbool this blooding comes at a difficult time as they come up against one of this season's top teams and a side that certainly feels it owes the Roos one after last year's total annihilation in the Grand Final.

Josh Charles and Daniel Harris coming back to play their first game for the season should certainly help the Roos.

There is a great deal to motivate Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers. Wes Harrison is having an excellent season, defenders Joe Summerhayes and Stephen Lyons repel many attacks, Cliff Ryan is kicking goals and evergreen Col Durie is in fine form.

It will be a huge test for the Tigers, but if they are ever going to defeat Walpeup Underbool, this could be their best chance. The Grand Final rematch should be a beauty.

By Jim Gordon