Billed as the match of the round, WOODSIDE who sit aloft the premiership ladder standings will play host to CHURCHILL in the top of the table showdown.

While the contest between the two big cats for the Lakes Oil Cup is gaining plenty of attention, Wildcats coach Chris Pettitt hasn't looked far beyond who his side is playing this week.

"It sounds boring but we are just taking it week by week, we're not looking beyond the next week and to be honest we are not looking at it as the match of the round," said Pettitt.

A realist Pettitt is making sure his side doesn't get too far ahead of themselves with their performances in the opening three rounds impressing onlookers.

"We're approaching and playing every game as though it is a big one.

"We know where we are at; obviously I am pleased with the start we have made with every game a test so far for different reasons.

"We have come up against some very physical sides, while last Saturday we filled the void of having seven senior players out of the lineup which was a big test going into the game against Sale City," he said.

Several seasons have passed since the Wildcats have defeated the Cougars, and if history was to decide the result then it would be hard to look past Churchill. However the Cougars know that they can ill afford to be complacent against the home side who are keen to claim a big scalp.

"We had hoped to win a couple of early games and then go from there, to get off to three straight wins has been pleasing but we also know that we have big games against the competition front runners such as Heyfield, Rosedale and TTU still to come.

"Our target is to knock over a few of the top sides, but we also know where we are at," said Pettitt.

TTU claimed a stirring victory when they comprehensively accounted for Rosedale in the ANZAC Day clash under lights in round three.

Starting their season strongly, many have tipped the Bombers to be the big improvers in 2013 and have reinforced that view with convincing wins over Gormandale and Rosedale in the opening three rounds.

The side's next big test will come in the form of long time foe and last year's preliminary finalists the Magpies who are yet to find their way in the first month of competition.

Getting their season back on track with a morale boosting victory, GLENGARRY's resolve will again be tested when they take to the road to meet the Bombers.

Contesting a number of classic matches in recent seasons Saturday will see the rivalry continue, with one thing guaranteed the four points will have never been so highly sought after.

COWWARR premiership player Lee Cooper will run out in the red, black and white in his 250th senior game against BOISDALE/BRIAGOLONG.

Cooper commenced his playing career with the Cowwarr Football Netball Club in 1998, and has been a regular senior player having only played seven games in the reserves line up. A consistent performer for the Saints, Cooper has played the majority of his career on the ball and is renowned among the league for his effective ball use.

Cool under pressure, Cooper will need to draw on this attribute against the Bombers as the Saints aim to open their season ledger after what has been a slow start to the season. But it is far from panic alarms three rounds in.

The Saints find themselves in a similar situation to that of the past two seasons and will be confident that they can turn their fortunes around with Cooper's milestone perhaps the spark they need to honor a club legend with victory over Boisdale/Briagolong.

However the Bombers will have other ideas as they aim to crash the party. Lapses of concentration proved costly against league powerhouse Heyfield, with the Bombers fully aware that they can ill afford to allow the same to happen against last year's finalists Cowwarr who will punish the opposition for such complacency.

Expect a tight dogged contest.

Facing a rebounding Blues lineup is a daunting prospect for GORMANDALE who remain a work in progress.

Following two tough weeks on the road the Tigers will return to their home turf to host ROSEDALE.

Winless, the Tigers need to desperately refocus with Saturdays match a further danger game for Gormandale who ahead of the season were eager to turn their disappointing 2012 form around.

Showing glimpses of the Tigers of old, the home side will need to put together a strong four quarter effort something which has eluded them to date if they are to hold off a rebounding Blues outfit.

For the second week running HEYFIELD highlighted the difference between the league's top and bottom sides with a dominating 63 point win over Boisdale/Briagolong last Saturday.

The Kangaroos however will need to up their tempo this week when they play host to last year's preliminary final opponents SALE CITY, who have endured an indifferent start to the season. While the reigning premiers remain the hunted of the competition positioned at the top end of the premiership ladder standings, the Dogs are a vast contrast.

Snatching victory in the season opener, the Dogs have fallen short over the past fortnight and know that they will need to be at their best to topple the Kangaroos who have proven to the torn in Sale City's side. The pacey midfield brigade of Heyfield has consistently provided headaches for the Sale City coaching staff, while the reigning premier's power forwards caused havoc in their three meetings in 2012.

Regardless of the ladder positioning of the two sides the contest is always fiercely contested, with Heyfield fully aware that you write Sale City off at your own peril.

By Lauren Carey