The competitions front runners will be put to the test when the top two ranked sides meet formidable opponents under lights on Saturday.

The contest between rivals ROSEDALE and TTU is set to be an enticing one which will see the two clubs pay homage to the ANZAC spirit when they contest the local derby in the ANZAC Day clash.

The concept was initiated by TTU over eight seasons ago and is still going strong. The day allows 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.

With his first win under his belt, Blues coach Ben Macreadie has played in several ANZAC Day clashes and knows the significance of playing on Australia's most important national occasion.

"It is a massive honour to be playing on ANZAC day and one that isn't taken lightly," said Macreadie.

Going into the contest on the back of a 193 point thrashing of the Wildcats, Macreadie notes that while he was very happy with his chargers efforts he is realistic of the challenge that the second placed Bombers will pose.

"We will be expecting a fierce contest from a much improved TTU who are playing excellent footy at the moment," said Macreadie.

"The opening two rounds have shown us that our good footy can match it. As a football team we are always working on the way we want to play and becoming familiar and predictable to one another's game style."

Boasting 15 individual goal scorers in round two, seven of which scored multiple majors, the Bombers back six led by general Guy Sinclair will need to be on their toes if they are to contain the fire power of the potent Blues forward structure.

But it just won't be the back line that will be stretched, the Blues engine room found their groove last Saturday dominating the centre clearance count to spear the ball into the waiting tall timber forwards of Brad Caldwell and Jeremy Reid along with flighty Brad Scott who proves most weeks to be a difficult matchup.

While the Blues running brigade will prove hard to shut down, Macreadie will be well aware that TTU's classy midfield led by Brian Graham and Hayden Hector are among a nucleus that will spark the Bombers.

Coming into the contest on the back of a physical encounter against the Demons, the Bombers have been flying high under their new coach and will be eager to post their third straight win. However, under lights and at home it is hard not to look past Rosedale to make it two on the run.

CHURCHILL came away with the four points to open their season account with a solid hit out against a dogged outfit.

"We are always happy to get the points and Cowwarr gave us a very good run," said Cougars coach Allan Chandler.

Saturday night will see the Cougars host the competitions number one ranked side in what will be a historic contest for the reigning premier as they play their first home game under lights.

"We're looking forward to playing the first match under lights and it's even better that we are playing on ANZAC day.

"This round we will get to find out where we are against the form side at the moment," said Chandler.

Making easy pickings in opening clashes, last year's preliminary finalists SALE CITY have shown that they will again be a formidable opponent come the pointy end of the season. This week they will be out to avenge last year's loss to eventual premiers Churchill one week out from the main event.

The match will not only provide Churchill's coaching panel with an indication as to just were the reigning premiers are at, but will allow City's coach Hayden Burgiel to test out his game structures against one of the competitions best, with the improved Dogs line-up in with a real chance of dishing out the home sides second defeat.

The remainder of the round will conclude on Sunday afternoon with COWWARR and HEYFIELD to vie for the silverware when the sides contest the Hollands Komen Cup.

Must win matches aren't usually associated with games in round three, but for Cowwarr this week's clash with neighbour Heyfield is crucial. Sitting at the middle stages of the premiership ladder with a 0 -1 ledger the going doesn't get any tougher for the Saints who for the second week in a row will host one of last year's grand finalists as they aim to stay in arms reach of the competitions leading trio.

Dropping the four points in a classic tussle against the reigning premiers, the Saints are renowned for their hard and physical contests and will force the Kangaroos to work hard for the points. Tested against the Tigers in round two, Heyfield remains one of three undefeated sides and will be out to continue that trend with victory over Cowwarr.

YARRAM will return home following the sides gutsy performance against TTU, despite coming away minus the points.

Dishing out a tough physical brand of football which saw Yarram remain in the contest until the closing stages coach Anthony Pavey will regroup his 22 and focus on this week's opponent the Tigers.

A week can be a long time in football with GORMANDALE demonstrating the swings and roundabouts that can occur as they bounced back from a disappointing round one showing to pull together an honourable performance against the Kangaroos.

The Tigers will need to take that same intensity and focus on the road with a tough assignment against a rebounding Yarram on the cards. Gormandale will need to counteract the Demons 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 Tigers back six will be stretched, however the visitors will be hopeful for a strong performance from their forwards as they aim to seal their opening win and cause one of the upsets of the season.

Yet to register victory, GLENGARRY and WOODSIDE sit alongside one another at the tail end of the premiership standings, with both sides hopeful of providing their first year coaches with their opening win of the season.

It was a tough week for both playing coaches with their sides feeling the full brunt of the competitions best as they proved little match for their more experienced and polished opponents.

No doubt reeling from their opening performances, one thing is guaranteed that a proud Glengarry line-up will start strongly on their home turf, with Woodside needing to scrap together a four quarter effort to come away with the points.

By Lauren Carey