Churchill, Sale City and Glengarry remain the only unbeaten teams in the North Gippsland Football Netball League after all three had convincing round four wins at the weekend.
City passed with flying colours in their first tough assignment with the Dogs resolute in the trying conditions against reigning premiers Heyfield.
Saturday will see Glengarry placed under the microscope when they meet Heyfield on the rebound at home, a challenging task for the best in the competition.
While top of the table Churchill will host cellar dweller Woodside who have failed to claim the points in the opening four rounds and sit at the bottom of the table in ninth place.
In the match of the round the clash of the titans will see third placed GORMANDALE host second placed SALE CITY who have their tails wagging after last Saturdays comfortable 46 point win.
The Tigers sit level on points with the Dogs and like this week's opponent have also started the season off on the right foot with their only slip up being in round three against Churchill by a kick.
Tiger Coach Shane Hamilton is looking forward to the challenge ahead of his side this Saturday.
"Were looking forward to the contest it will give us an opportunity to see where we are at and push out guys," Hamilton said.
"We have started the season well, when you compare were we were at, at this stage of the season compared to last we are streets ahead.
"Were hoping that we can be competitive, to be the best you have to beat the best, they have certainly shown that they will be a challenger this season and were keen to claim a prized scalp."
Although the side has claimed the points over the past fortnight comfortably, Hamilton has his concerns with the sides sluggish first half's and inaccuracy in front of goals a concern for the Tiger Coach.
"I wouldn't be reading too much into the Woodside match and score line, we have only been hitting our straps for a half which we can't afford to do against quality opposition.
"Obviously it's a concern, against Stratford we didn't fire up until challenged the game was a real arm wrestle and the guys responded after half time and kicked away.
"You can't be too unhappy as we got the points but certainly our goal kicking and ability to pull together four quarters needs to be addressed ahead of the weekend otherwise quality opposition like Sale City will penalize us from the onset."
Both STRATFORD and BOISDALE have a chance to snap their loosing streak when the two sides meet at Stratford Recreation Reserve.
Stratford have shown plenty of improvement under new coach Peter Morrison, the youngsters outscoring Heyfield in two terms while holding Gormandale at bay in the opening half.
While the signs are promising the side has failed to remain in the contest for the full 120 minutes of the clash.
Not dissimilar to the Swans the Bombers have struggled this season, the side emerging as a shadow of their former selves which saw Boisdale make consecutive finals appearances in past seasons.
With plenty of movement from their list in the off season the Bombers have struggled to play out a full match, with the side to again be stretched by the fleet footed young running Stratford outfit.
A win would reward both sides for their hard work, with the home ground advantage enough to see Stratford claim the points.
CHURCHILL sits one game clear of the competition in first place and will be confident of extending their break at the top of the table against the WOODSIDE Wildcats.
While Churchill dominated their clash after half time against Stratford, Woodside were taught a football lesson of their own by Gormandale with the Wildcats kicking a low four goals for the match.
The Wildcats will be eager to bounce back from their disappointing showing, but will be under no illusion as to the task ahead of them with the Cougars to prove too strong at home.
HEYFIELD will be aiming to make a return to the winners list when they host GLENGARRY.
The Magpies showed no effects of the week's bye in their hit out against Cowwarr with Coach Josh King happy with his side's progress this season.
"Were looking forward to Saturday it will provide us with an indication as where we are at and how the side has progressed," said King.
"I'm pretty happy with how we are travelling; obviously you don't know where exactly you are at until you play the top sides, so the next couple of weeks will be a big test for us with Heyfield, Gormandale and Churchill.
"We will be going into the match confident and thinking that we are a definite shot, but we know that Heyfield are a switched on side and drop very few matches at home, so the boys will need to be at their best."
Adopting a slightly different game plan then in past seasons, which has been adapt around the sides more fleet footed smaller brigade of players King has been impressed with the sides development of their game plan but notes there is still plenty of work ahead.
"We have been playing well in patches, but have struggled to sustain that throughout the match, we tend to have a lapse each quarter which we are trying to pinpoint and get out of our game.
"We can't afford to let our guard down against quality opposition, if we come out strong and play attacking hard footy and maintain that for the full four quarters it will go along way in ensuring that we knock over Heyfield."
Two of the competitions evolving lists COWWARR and ROSEDALE will do battle with both sides chasing the points after suffering losses in round four.
While the Blues found themselves short by five points, Cowwarr suffered a heavy defeat and will be keen to regain their stellar form which saw them win their opening two rounds.
Starting the season in perhaps unexpected dominating fashion, the Saints have struggled to match it against the leagues front runners in past weeks and will be looking to regain their confidence and winning form against an inconsistent Rosedale lineup.
The Blues were not without their chances last Sunday night with the side's inaccuracy in front of goals proving the difference, as the side slid down the ladder with just the one win for the season.
Both sides will be hungry for the points with the stage set for an enthralling contest which should see the fifth placed Saints prevail in a nail biter.
TTU has the BYE
By Lauren Carey
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