ROSEDALE took all before them in a fiery contest against long time nemesis Churchill, this Saturday the going doesn't get any easier when they host a rebounding WOODSIDE outfit.

Dropping their first match for the season last round, the prospect of the Wildcats on the rebound is one of the great unknown.

Meeting their third top five contender in as many weeks, the Wildcats haven't been daunted by the tough draw May poses. Sitting at one a piece from their first big tests against Churchill and reigning premiers Heyfield, the Wildcats will need to be at their best with the contest against an up and about, however somewhat unpredictable Rosedale lineup a further test of their season credentials.

Blowing the game apart in the premiership term with a 10 goal to two quarter of play, the Blues have crushed opposition sides when the game has been in the balance. However they have also demonstrated a somewhat inconsistent brand of football which has seen even the lower ranked sides push Rosedale to the finish line.

The stage is set for an enthralling contest which will see two strong midfield and ruck combinations pitted against one another in the engine room. While at the opposite ends of the ground strong fire power in front of goal will see three of the competitions top 12 leading goal scorers in Woodside's Justin Staley and Rosedale's Andrew Flanagan and Brad Caldwell aim for an old fashioned shoot out in front of goals.

With little separating the teams on paper sitting side by side on the premiership ladder standings locked at four wins a piece, expect the experience of the Blues outfit to see them hold sway in a nail biter.

Opening the season with three straight wins, CHURCHILL will need to bounce back from what can best be described a tumultuous fortnight following losses to two of this seasons would be final contenders in the past two rounds.

Troubled by two competitive lineups the Cougars will return home to the wide open spaces of Gaskin Park where they will aim to keep their season on track and firm their holding on a top five position.

While it isn't dire straits just yet for the fifth placed Cougars this week's opponents the Magpies are a vast contrast. The black and white army is struggling with injuries causing havoc to an unsettled lineup.

GLENGARRY's season ambitions are looking bleak with the seasoned finalists sitting at the lower end of the premiership ladder standings.

Sitting in eighth place with just the one win from five hit outs, the Magpies have struggled to make their mark and must take the points in Saturdays cut throat clash to ensure they remain in the hunt come finals.

Conceding a comfortable half time lead in their clash last Sunday, the Magpies have shown glimpses of solid form over the last three weeks - claiming the points against Cowwarr, while falling narrowly short against TTU, however their ability to maintain their intensity and shut down opposition sides when the game is there for the taking has escaped them.

It won't be any easier against Churchill, with a home ground advantage and two losses on the run to spur the Cougars to victory.

While the Saints tap on the door to the top five their credentials will be tested when COWWARR
host a red hot HEYFILED line up.

Doing enough to claim the points in round five, the Saints will need to up the ante if they are to compete with the competitions number one ranked side who has taken no prisoners in a railroading defence of their title.

All too aware that they would hold the title of the hunted following last season's result and astute recruitment in the of season, the Kangaroos are fully aware that they cannot become complacent with opposition sides ready to pounce.

Key forward Tim Johnston is likely to be closely guarded by former Saint now Kangaroo defender Scott Anderson who will aim to shut down the forward who has booted 15 goals in his last two outings. The contest between the two midfields is likely to determine the end result with both sides boasting impressive running brigades who can turn a game in a 15 minute purple patch.

If history is anything to go by the Saints can go into the contest confident in knowing that they were the last side to knock over Heyfield at the end of last season, wet trying conditions playing to their favour as they skipped away to an early lead.

If Cowwarr can exploit their home ground advantage it may put them in good stead to seal back to back wins as they get their season back on track.

It was five weeks in the making, and the rendition of the GORMANDALE song last Sunday afternoon has never been sung with such gusto as the Tigers opened their season account after what had been a trying month.

Saturday the Tigers play host to BOISDALE/BRIAGOLONG who like themselves have registered just the one win and sit alongside this week's opponent in a log jam at the tail end of the ladder.

Such is the evenness of the competition, both the Tigers and Bombers seasons are in the balance a win would place them within reach of the top five and provide them some breathing space from Sale City and Glengarry on four points.

Looking at past weeks results the Tigers should record their second win, however can expect the Bombers to provide spirited opposition with Boisdale/Briagolong showing that they aren't too far off breaking the shackles and recording victory.

A dominating TTU reminded competition followers of the difference between the top and bottom ranked sides, as they easily accounted for their opposition in round five.

In similar style to last season the Bombers have started strongly, and remain on par to matching their 2012 win loss ledger at the half way mark of the season.

In contrast SALE CITY is far from boasting the same impressive stat with the young pups outmuscled in the final term against Cowwarr following what had been a spirited fight back. With just the one win to date, the Dogs need to cause an upset and against the Bombers it won't be an easy task.

In their current form it is impossible to look past the second placed Bombers who last Saturday confirmed to the football world that they will certainly push deep into September action.

By Lauren Carey