Reigning premiers HEYFIELD appear to be coasting along with their premiership defence seemingly on track.

The Kangaroos have dropped just the one match for the season in the opening round, and since then have won five on the run but coach Adrian Cox notes there is plenty of improvement from his chargers.

Set to host the Bombers who many opposition coaches tout as the best side they have encountered to date, Cox will need his side to be on song for the blockbuster match of the round.

"As a coach the challenge is on to ensure that the boys are switched on and on song for the match.

"Before the season started I was under no illusions as to how tough and even the competition was going to be.

"If someone said at the start of the season that we would be sitting at five – one then I would have taken that," said Cox.

Complimentary of this week's opponent the Kangaroo coach is fully aware that the Bombers and the remaining eight sides in the competition would love nothing more than to claim the scalp of the reigning premier.

"TTU are going well, they recruited well in the off season and are going to be tough competition.

"All games have been tough, there hasn't been any easy games each one has been a battle and we have had to work hard for the points.

"There is still a hell of a lot of improvement needed, the pressure is on for the players to perform, we are keen to claim the win against Tyers but we know that it will be the same for them that they would like to claim the honours against us," said Cox.

Highlighting the efforts of the back six who Cox describes as "doing their job and doing all that is asked of them", the backline has been complimented by the efforts in the engine room and a potent forward line that will look to expose the Bombers.

TTU is flying alongside this week's opponent at the top end of the premiership ladder and is the talk of the competition, but the Bomber's playing group is keeping the lid well and truly on.

The Bombers have learned over the past two years that it's a long season and strong early form is difficult to maintain. Speaking from experience coach Matt Stolarczyk knows just how fickle the game can be with injuries, and an 18 round season all factors come the run towards finals.

Last year the Bombers sat in a similar position winning six of their first nine games to sit at the pointy end of the ladder at the halfway mark, before winning just three of their last nine to finish in seventh position and miss finals. And in 2011, the Bombers were in contention to secure their first finals berth since claiming the flag in 2004 however a poor second half of the season which saw them win four games from the last nine left them out of the finals race by four points.

While TTU is clearly a better side than the past two years, the experiences of 2011 and 2012 are ensuring the players don't get ahead of themselves.

Claiming the honours against top five side Rosedale, the Bombers will be eager to claim another top of the table scalp before a tough fortnight with Cowwarr and Woodside to close out the first half of the season.

Hit hard by injuries in past weeks, limiting their rotation options off the bench GLENGARRY coach Ryan Potter will be hoping for limited casualties with the next fortnight to test the Magpies credentials.

Glengarry will be tested in the next two rounds with ROSEDALE and then Woodside both on the horizon ahead of the leagues general bye.

With their backs up against the wall early on in the contest against Churchill, the Magpies will be fully aware that they cannot afford the Blues the same luxury of kicking away to a match winning lead in the first term otherwise they will be relegated to playing catch-up footy against a side reeling from last week's missed opportunity.

In their current form it is hard to look past the Blues who let the points slip against a persistent premiership contender in Woodside. With the Magpies struggling to find consistent form, and string together a strong four quarter effort the question will be can the home side hold off a near full strength Rosedale outfit?

BOISDALE/BRIAGOLONG coach Daniel Sandeman is philosophical when it comes to his side's performance noting that while he had "higher expectations than where the side is at", looking at the ladder prior to round six his side had lost four matches, three of which was against the competitions top three front runners.

"We have played some competitive patches of football, yes we had higher expectations then where we are at I think everyone does early in the year," said Sandeman.

Highlighting lapses in concentration and the side's inability at stages throughout the contest to maintain their skill level, Sandeman notes that his young inexperienced side is still trying to gel and embed their new recruits.

"I can't pick the exact reason as to why we have lapses during matches, apart from the first quarter against Cowwarr where we let the game blow out we were competitive for the rest of the game.

"We play competitive patches and then we have lapses were good sides kick away from us, on Saturday we had 40 turnovers compared to Gormandale's 22 and from that 40 they were able to kick 7.3 (45) direct from those turnovers," said Sandeman.

Noting turnovers as being a costly skill error in his side's contests, the Bombers coach is fully aware that the going won't get any easier with his side to host CHURCHILL.

Like Sandeman Churchill coach Tim Darby has his own concerns, blowing the game apart in the opening half the Cougars appeared poised to coast victory however as in past weeks his chargers dropped the momentum and faded away in the second half leaving the door ajar for Glengarry to challenge.

The Cougars can ill afford to continue this trend with opposition sides ready to pounce.

It's been over a month since SALE CITY have celebrated victory and the Dogs know that Saturday may provide them with an opportunity to do so when they host GORMANDALE.

Kick starting their season with two wins in past weeks, the Tigers are up and about and like this week's opponent will see the contest as a further opportunity to knock on the door to the top five.

With their season humming along WOODSIDE will meet COWWARR a team on the improve – but round seven will provide them with their second big test in as many weeks.

Stringing together a winning run of two matches in the past fortnight, the Saints have been sublime with all aspects of their game falling into place as the side continues to gel into a formidable combination.

While Woodside's season continues to gain momentum, Saints coach Luke Cooper would be hopeful that his team's best is still to come after the side served up a physical tough contest against Heyfield.

Going into the contest as favourites the pressure will be on the Wildcats to continue their season defying form, while for Cowwarr the prized scalp of a competition front runner will boost the confidence of the Saints.

Expect a spirited contest which will see the Saints test the resolve of Woodside.

By Lauren Carey