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NGFNLNorth Gippsland Football doesn't get any bigger than round four with the split round highlighted by eagerly awaited clashes on Good Friday and ANZAC Day.


In a first for league neighbours and foes, WOODSIDE and YARRAM will do battle as they take centre stage in South Gippsland on Good Friday.

The inaugural Good Friday clash has been drawn the attention of many, none more so than both playing coaches with Woodside coach Chris Pettitt fully aware of past rivalries between the clubs.

Speaking ahead of the season opener three weeks ago, Pettitt noted his sides focus was on the opening round but had circled the round four Good Friday clash as an opportunity for the Wildcats to gauge just where they are at.

"The focus is on round one at the moment, we know that the Easter clash against Yarram on Good Friday will be big.

"A new rivalry will be established between the clubs in front of what is anticipated to be a big crowd, the match will also provide us with an opportunity to gauge just where we are at," said Pettitt.

Yarram coach Grif Underwood shares Pettit's thoughts about the blockbuster showdown having noted that talk around town is centred around the battle between the Demons and Wildcats.

"The big talk is around Yarram meeting Woodside and the Good Friday clash, the guys are looking forward to the contest," said Underwood.

The sides come into the clash on the back of indifferent starts to the season, the Demons have had plenty to prove with three solid hit outs priming them for Friday. However, the concern for Yarram is their final quarter fade outs. In all matches to date the side has struggled to pull together a convincing four quarter effort, none more so then the final term last Saturday where they failed to register a score despite claiming the four points.

In contrast the Wildcats had a solid hit out in round one, before watching from the sidelines with the bye the following week. Perhaps left flat footed from the piecemeal opening to the season, the Wildcats were caught out against Churchill and will be eager to improve on their
1-1 win loss ledger.

Despite past week's results the crowd can expect nothing more than a quality dogged contest. The shoot out between the sides power forwards will entice, the contest in the engine room will have the crowd talking, all being said the stage is set for an epic showdown with the Wildcats holding sway in a nail biter.

Rivals to clash on ANZAC Day

Rivals ROSEDALE and TTU will pay homage to the ANZAC spirit when they contest the local derby under lights, in the ANZAC Day clash.

The league will join several other country football leagues across the state that will host matches on ANZAC day.

The concept was initiated by TTU seven seasons ago and is still going strong. The day is a great way for the two clubs to involve the Returned Service Leagues branches of Traralgon RSL and Rosedale Sub Branch RSL while also promoting the league and clubs.

Must win matches aren't usually associated games in round four, but for last year's semi finalists and top three finishers TTU this week's clash with Rosedale is crucial. Sitting at the tail end of the ladder with a 0 -3 ledger the going doesn't get any tougher for the injury plagued Bombers who will need the cream to raise to the top when they meet the Blues on the rebound.

Dropping the four points in a classic tussle against the reigning premiers, the Blues have been humming along and will be set to provide headaches for the Bombers who felt the raft of the competitions number one side Heyfield last Saturday.

Under lights and at home it is hard not to look past Rosedale to return to the winners list.

Saturday 26 April

No doubt reeling from their sluggish showing last Saturday, one thing is guaranteed that a proud COWWARR line-up will start strongly on their home turf.

Looking to reverse their fortunes and register their opening win, the Saints can ill afford to allow GLENGARRY to blow out to a commanding lead in the opening term otherwise they will be relegated to playing catch up footy against a quality outfit who have managed to scrap through in past weeks by winning margins of four and one point.

Despite coming from behind in past weeks to take the win, the Magpies have started to hit their groove and will be a challenge for the Saints who struggled to put their best side on the park against Yarram. With a number of outs, the Saints were left wanting and will be keen to refocus and hit the ground running.

GORMANDALE return from an extended break following the week's bye and will host CHURCHILL in the battle of the big cats.

Yet to open their season account, the Tigers will need to contain an impressive Cougar outfit which boasts an injection of youth mixed with experienced campaigners which will be aiming to elevate the side to another level. Winning two on the run, the Cougars coaching staff will be eager for the side to extend their winning ways in coming weeks before the showdown clash against long time rivals Heyfield.

But before then, the side must contain the Tigers who have fallen agonisingly short in their opening two matches. With plenty to prove Gormandale coach Luke Henderson will be expecting big things from his chargers with victory not out of the equation.

Making easy pickings in opening clashes of two of last year's finalists HEYFIELD have shown that they will be a formidable opponent come the pointy end of the season.

Saturday will see the side the Kangaroos host the Bombers, who are staring down the barrel of two straight losses, the going certainly doesn't get any easier for BOISDALE/BRIAGOLONG. It will be a tough assignment for the Bombers who will need to counteract the Kangaroos many avenues to goal. Break down their defence which has been one of the best in recent weeks while also halting the flow of the sides damaging running midfield brigade, a tough task for any side.

The Bombers back six will be stretched, however the visitors will be hopeful for a strong performance from their forwards as they aim to seal their second win and cause one of the upsets of the season.

Sunday 27 April

No rest for the wicked WOODSIDE will take to the field twice in round four when they host SALE CITY in the WorkSafe Country Netball Game of the Month.

The double header for the Wildcats will provide them with an opportunity to reign in on the competitions front runners, and as coach Chris Pettitt has noted provides the side with a greater understanding as to just where they are at as they aim to make a return to finals football.

The Wildcats will meet the Dogs, with the young pups inflicting all the damage on the scoreboard in round three. Despite the inclement weather and challenges the rain brought the Dogs were like ducks to water, with their new style of game plan under coach Hayden Burgiel on display.

There is little doubt Burgiel would love nothing more than to claim a big scalp like the Wildcats and continue the sides rise and development.

By Lauren Carey