Rivals ROSEDALE and TTU will pay homage to the ANZAC spirit when they contest the local derby under lights, in the ANZAC Day clash.

The league will join several other country football leagues across the state that will host matches on ANZAC day.

The concept was initiated by TTU six seasons ago and is still going strong. The day is a great way for 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.

It will be Blues coach Nick Leechino first ANZAC showdown at the helm, and the coach is excited about gaining a different perspective of the match.

"I'm looking forward to the match, being a past Blue boy I have always been a spectator on ANZAC Day getting out to the club to have a look at the contest so certainly it will be different this time around," said Leechino.

The coach is fully aware that it will be far from easy street against a quality opponent. However, add in a six day break following round one, and a five day break on the back of Saturdays match in addition to a far from full strength lineup the odds are certainly staked against the Blues.

"Country footy on a public holiday is a great concept and spectacle for the league, but it's going to be tough coming off the back of two short weeks to recover from what have been tough bruising contests, perhaps I should have approached the league for an extended bench," he laughed.

"Last week against Cowwarr was a pretty tough contest, a really hard fought game with the guys putting in a massive effort when the game was in the balance in the final term.

"I wasn't particularly impressed with the style of footy that we played in the first three quarters but the way that the side responded to the challenge in the final term I was happy and pleased with.

"TTU are certainly the measuring stick of the competition, they have recruited well, they have a fantastic midfield and our focus will be on shutting them down," said Leechino.

Pleased to get the early wins on the board with a less than full compliment to choose from, Leechino has been impressed with his chargers efforts and is realistic that he will have a few good headaches to deal with when more of his squad becomes available.

"We will monitor the injuries that we have and see on Thursday morning who will come up and who won't.

"Everyone has been working really hard to get the early wins, we could have easily been two zip, but the guys that are filling the void have stepped up and we are seeing good results," he said.

Hitting the opposition hard in a physical showdown against their more experienced and seasoned opposition, BOISDALE BRIAGOLONG opened their season account with a stirring victory last Saturday.

The Bombers weren't the only side belting out a rendition of the clubs song with reigning premiers HEYFIELD providing the shock score line of round two as the Kangaroos brushed aside last year's finalist Glengarry with ease.

Highlighting his desire for the Bombers to make their home ground a fortress, one where it is hard for opposition sides to win wherever his side sits on the premiership ladder standings. There is little doubt coach Daniel Sandeman would love nothing more than to claim a big scalp like the Kangaroos and continue the sides rise and development.

Must win matches aren't usually associated with games in round three, but for GLENGARRY Saturdays clash with COWWARR is crucial.

No doubt reeling from their sluggish showing last Saturday, one thing is guaranteed that the proud Magpie lineup will start strongly on their home turf.

Looking to reverse their fortunes and register their opening win, Glengarry can ill afford to allow Cowwarr to blow out to a commanding lead in the opening term otherwise they will be relegated to playing catch up footy against a quality outfit who like themselves have found it difficult to open their season account.

Perennial finalists in past seasons, the two sides are renowned for their tight physical contests, with the relatively unchanged lineups enthralling crowds over recent years and are expected to provide a quality contest. It is hard to read into either sides form over the past two weeks; however one thing that we can expect is a dogged contest with the Saints holding sway in a nail biter.
CHURCHILL coach Tim Darby described his side's final term fade out as complacent on his sides behalf as they watched a seven goal final term lead disseminate.

Taking their foot off the gas, the Cougars were close to found wanting as they went away from things they had been doing well throughout the contest according to Darby.

"It's a toss of the coin so far this season as to who will win, you can't afford to relax and that's what we found ourselves doing on Saturday we took our foot off the gas and went away from the things that we have been doing well.

"We became complacent the players and the coaches, to TTU's credit they pounced and it nearly cost us," said Darby.

Astute in his analysis of opposition sides Darby has done his homework and knows that his side will face a fired up Tiger lineup.

"Gormandale have added some 12 new players to their side from that of last season, and some of those inclusions have played football at high levels.

"I'm realistic that we will cop the raft from the fallout of the weekends result, we know Gormandale will throw it down at us.

"They are one of the sides that we will be competing against for a top five finish, to get three games clear of them this early in the season would be an advantage to us," said Darby.

Staring down the barrel of three straight losses, the going doesn't get any easier for GORMANDALE. It will be a tough assignment for the Tigers who will need to counteract the Cougars 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 first win.

Coming off the back of a five point loss against Boisdale/Briagolong, SALE CITY will look to halt WOODSIDE'S winning streak with the Dogs eager to perform in front of a home crowd.

The Wildcats have had little joy against the two time reigning premier over the past three seasons; however with an impressive new look lineup the Dogs can expect a tight physical contest along with more even match ups around the ground then they have seen in recent times.
Past results will mean little with the Wildcats up and about and ruthless in their disposal of opposition sides over the past fortnight taking no prisoners, the Wildcats appear poised to rewrite the record books and add the Dogs scalp to their ledger.

By Lauren Carey