By Peter Wilkie

Daylesford and Waubra in top of table clash.

The two stand out teams of the 2007 Bendigo Bank CHFL season thus far, Daylesford and Waubra do battle tomorrow in a top of the table blockbuster which headlines a very big round of what should be great footy.

While big crowds will again be at Daylesford’s Kennel to see the two unbeaten teams clash, there will be plenty of interest and fans at several other CHFL venues as the battle for spots in the five intensifies.

Despite the likely cold weather, the action on field will be scorching as some teams risk falling almost out of touch with the five, so tight is the mid ladder congestion.

Round 10 matches.

(NOTE – Ladder positions in brackets)

Clunes (12) v Buninyong (10)

Beaufort (13) v Hepburn (3)

Creswick (11) v Dunnstown (5)

Daylesford (1) v Waubra (2)

Newlyn (8) v Bungaree (6)

Ballan (9) v Learmonth (4)

Gordon (14) v Springbank (7)

CLUNES hosts BUNINYONG, both teams on the rebound after losses to top teams, Hepburn and Daylesford respectively.

Neither Clunes coach Glenn Handley nor his counterpart Steve McGee would probably publicly admit it but both clubs would be a little disappointed with their current ladder positions, victims of injury and list rebuilding.

Buninyong struggled to kick a score against the meanest defence in the League last week, so the Porter Industries Bombers will be keen to find a prominent forward this week. Expect big Shane Lavery in the square at some stage, while Justin Orwin could be a game breaker if he continues in his sensational form.

Handley is a canny coach however, and the Magpies may just have a surprise stashed in their nest. I expect this will be a ripper, maybe just a couple of kicks when the siren blares into the Clunes Saturday dusk.

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BEAUFORT have been hot and cold and pushed Creswick in a great contest last week, but the Crows will need to have things go their way to seriously trouble HEPBURN.

With facilities as good as any in the League now, Beaufort is rebuilding under Leo Fitzpatrick, and tomorrow’s game will give the young Crows a good guide as to just how far their development needs to go to match it with professional outfits like Shane Robertson’s Hepburn.

Lee Cox is in blistering form up forward, hauling in 26 contested marks on his way to 12 majors last week, and the Crows will need to restrict supply or risk a big score being registered against them.

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CRESWICK fought off Beaufort to record a good win last week, and the Ballarat Carworks Wickers will take the game up to fifth placed DUNNSTOWN on the tight Creswick ground.

Dunnstown Coach Simon Eason will be wary of the danger here; a couple of rounds back Creswick restricted Daylesford to one of their lowest margins so far this year, and a similar performance tomorrow will put the Wickers right in the finish of this match.

Sean Lever is gelling together a very good unit at Creswick, and any team featuring brothers playing well together (Simon & Aaron Hepworth) can be a handful.

Holding onto fifth will see Dunnstown very keen to do well, and their recent good touch should see them over the line, but an upset here is very possible.

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DAYLESFORD have overcome a few hurdles with injuries recently, and still remain on top with a very healthy percentage margin over second placed, also undefeated WAUBRA.

Last week, Waubra Coach Shane Skontra rated the Bulldogs as “five goals better than most other CHFL teams”, but he may have been employing some subtle tactics as a preview to this week’s huge clash.

Mind games aside, this game will see Daylesford’s multi pronged attack against the Lee Brown led forward set up at Waubra.

Which side will kick enough goals to win it, and gain a mid season advantage on top of the ladder?

Nope. No idea. Get over to Daylesford (early) and check it out for yourselves, this will be one of the games of the year, and a possible Grand Final Preview.

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NEWLYN are continuing to impress as their improved form pushes them towards possible finals action.

The Cats will want to turn on their best against BUNGAREE and stay right in the race for a spot in the five, but the Demons are also in good form, last week disposing of Ballan to be sixth, and go 5/4 for the year so far.

With plenty of possible scoring options, Bungaree have been kicking consistently good scores in recent weeks, so Newlyn will be looking for Simon Dwyer to boot a bag and maintain last week’s excellent defensive performance against Waubra.

Maybe the Cats by a whisker?

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LEARMONTH travel to BALLAN in a game which is pretty much do or die for the home side.

The Ballarat City Honda and Mazda Lakies have overcome a form hiccup of late, but will need to be right at their best against the Blues who are tough, uncompromising, and better equipped with talent than their ladder position suggests.

Ballan need someone to fire up forward to allow Rod Watts some more freedom to wreak his havoc in the air and at ground level.

Another thriller, with plenty riding on it, this will be a beauty.

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Last placed GORDON host SPRINBANK and it is not impossible to see an upset in the making here as well.

Springbank’s recent form has been patchy at best, while the Eagles keep improving and can play with the abandon of a team with no pressure for results.

The Tigers simply must return to winning form in this game, or risk being caught up with the pack chasing fifth spot.

Tigers with too much in the tank, but it won’t be a cakewalk.