A week is a long time in footy, and things rarely stand still.

Grounds are still in magnificent condition around the state, the hardest thing at the moment is keeping the grass short enough to play.

Players have one last chance this weekend to impress league selectors for the WorkSafe Country Championships.

The juniors take centre stage this weekend with the first of the Graincorp Junior Carnivals to take place in Moama and Hamilton.

Around the Grounds & Looking Forward

Central Murray - 2 big clashes this weekend when Tyntynder take on Tooleybuc Managatang (1v3) and Swan Hill play Nyah Nyah West (2v4) - should get a good idea of the pecking order in the Central Murray after this weekend.

East Gippsland - Lindenow are on top undefeated after 4 rounds. They face Lakes Entrance this week coming off a loss to Wy Yung. Wy Yung look to consolidate facing last spot Paynesville.

Ellinbank - Garfield are undefeated in the Ellinbank League and should go on with it facing Buln Buln this weekend.

Golden Rivers - Wandella beaten by Murrabit last weekend. This week they face the tricky Nullawil to decide top spot on the ladder.

Hampden - South Warrnambool, Terang Mortlake and Koroit share top spot on points. South take on Koroit this weekend in a blockbuster.

Heathcote - The Heathcote FC juggernaut rolls on - 27 games on the trot and shouldn't be bothered by Huntly this weekend.

Mininera - First plays second in the Minera League this weekend with Tatyoon playing SMW Rovers.

Gippsland - Bairnsdale take on the might of Maffra, with Maffra a little shaky this year. Bairnsdale will feel elated with their league switch if they can knock of the perennial finalist. Drouin and Morwell another great contest in the Gippsland League this weekend.

2011 WorkSafe Country Championships
20 of the top VCFL Leagues go head to head in the WorkSafe Country Championships on Saturday May 28th.
Coaches have their squads out on the training track this week and next.
For the winners it means elevation up the rankings...for the losers, a step down.
There is a lot to play for when rankings and bragging rights are on the line.

Please find attached a full schedule of games and coach contact details for your use.

NB: Vision and commentary from three Worksafe Country Championship matches will be streamed live to the web this year through the VCFL and league websites. The matches are - GV v Ballarat, O&M v MPNFL, & Geelong v Bendigo. Thanks to all leagues for supporting the venture that will give more country families and fans the chance to catch the matches over the day.

Graincorp Junior Carnivals
The Junior Carnival season kicks off this Sunday with Carnivals taking place in Hamilton and Moama.
Under 12's through to Under 16's will be playing at Moama, while Hamilton host Under
12's, 14's and 16's at the South West Junior Carnival taking in kids from the Hampden Junior, Warrnambool District, Mininera, Portland Junior and Hamilton Junior Leagues.
Please contact Andrew Morrse (Moama) - 0427 349 912 & David Watson (Hamilton) - 0418 528 569 for further details.

V/Line Life Training - 5 Years On!!
V/Line and the VCFL celebrate 5 years of Life Training sessions next Wednesday when Echuca hosts a binge drinking Life Training session at Echuca College at 7pm. Nathan Thompson will host proceedings along with Stefan Gruenert from Odyssey House, and the crew from Leading Teams.

The genesis of these sessions were at the Junior Carnival program in 2006, with the Moama Junior Carnival being the very first session.

By Jock Allan