North Gippsland football rivals HEYFIELD and COWWARR will fight for the points when they meet this Saturday.
The clash is primed to be another classic tussle, with the contest billed as the match of the round with the two sides sitting neck and neck on the premiership standings.
The two clubs were fierce rivals during the mid-1980s with the rivalry renewed recently when the sides contested the 2005 grand final.
Saturday will see that rivalry come to life when the sides contest the inaugural Komen - Hollands Cup which has been struck in honor of both clubs game record holders, life members and much loved clubman, Heyfield's Pat Komen and Cowwarr's Andrew ‘Angry' Hollands who both tragically passed away prior to last season.
The match is also of special significance for six time Heyfield premiership player Matt Cassidy who plays his 300th club match and will become the Kangaroos 15th player to be inducted as a life member from reaching the milestone.
Cowwarr hasn't beaten the Kangaroos since round 10 of their premiership season in 2006 and may have their best chance in years to topple the reigning premiers.
The Saints sit in fifth position on the ladder with a win loss ratio of 4-3, with Heyfield perched just outside the five with three wins.
It will be a tough assignment given the Kangaroos rebounded from their dismal start to the season with a 130 point defeat of TTU, the side benefiting from the return of a number of key players from injury with ruck man Andrew Stevens a possible inclusion for Saturday's blockbuster.
The four points will be highly sought after, victory would put Cowwarr in a position nearing the half way mark of the season to gradually keep the would be challengers at bay while the Kangaroos premiership defence hinges on the coming months results.
Expect a tough contest which will see Heyfield mark Cassidy's milestone with victory.
Ninth place WOODSIDE faces a danger game against GLENGARRY.
The Wildcats were searching for their third consecutive win last week against Sale City, but slipped up to be convincingly defeated at the final siren.
Saturday clash is shaping as a season defining game for both sides; a win would keep Glengarry in contention for a finals berth at the end of the season while a loss would put them back in the pack outside the five.
A loss would not only knock them out of the top half of the ladder but could hurt them later in the year.
For Anthony Pavey's Wildcats, Saturday is equally important.
After a wobbly start to the season which saw the Wildcats register their first win three weeks ago, Woodside has strung together consecutive victories.
The four points would boost the confidence of the Wildcats and keep them in touch of the main pack.
STRATFORD will approach this weeks clash with trepidation as it braces to take on ROSEDALE who have been ruthless in their attack on the competitions front runners.
The Swans have come up against some tough opposition over the past fortnight with the clash against the Blues to provide little reprieve for the bottom of the table side.
Tapping on the door to the five the Blues form has been impressive, the side rebounding from a disappointing patch in rounds four and five before quickly becoming the hunters, accounting for Heyfield, narrowly dropping the points to Gormandale in a two goal strangle hold and knocking over last years grand finalists Churchill.
In their present from the Blues look to be too superior for the evolving Swans.
BOISDALE will attempt to halt ladder leaders SALE CITY who are enjoying one of their best starts to a home and away season.
While City has shown why they are top Dogs, the Bombers have struggled this season before coming into some form over the past month which saw them seal their third win in a three point thriller against the higher ranked Cowwarr last round.
The win would have bolstered Boisdale's confidence ahead of the show down against the Dogs.
The two clubs have contested a number of classic contests in past seasons, the sides round 10 meeting in 2008 was a one point thriller going the way of Boisdale with the Bombers too dominate on both occasions last year.
Although the Bombers were caught flat footed early in the season, the Dogs can ill afford to be complacent against Boisdale.
An upset could be on the cards if the home side can continue to maintain their form from the past month and push the Dogs for the duration of the match.
GORMANDALE will be aiming to notch up their third consecutive win when they meet TTU
who is expected to provide spirited opposition.
The Bombers will need to refocus and regroup after last week's heavy defeat to Heyfield and using one of the oldest football analogues will need to take it one week at a time as they look to regain form.
It will require a strong team effort from the Bombers to tame the Tigers who have become lion killers in past weeks accounting for Glengarry and Rosedale.
With a strong game structure and team dynamic there are very few chinks in the armor of Gormandale.
The Bombers will need to counteract the Tigers many avenues to goal. Break down their defence which is one of the best in the competition while also halting the flow of the sides damaging running midfield brigade, a tough task for any side.
CHURCHILL has the BYE
By Lauren Carey
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