North Gippsland League clubs return to the field this Saturday following a general bye which allowed players to rest niggling injuries and refocus their attention on the second half of the fixture.

Eight rounds into the season the competition couldn't be any closer, with reigning premiers Heyfield fully aware that it isn't a one horse race to the penultimate prize. Dropping just the one match to date, the competition has raised another level with the Kangaroos quickly being the hunted as opposition sides draw in on competitions number one ranked side.

HEYFIELD will be primed for their showdown against rival third place CHURCHILL who come into the contest on the back of a 22 goal victory a fortnight ago.

Coming to life after what had been an indifferent month the Cougars sealed a comprehensive win at home to put their season back on track and keep them in touch with the leading quartet.
The third place Cougars resolve will again be tested when they travel to Heyfield in one of the hardest road trips on the fixture. Narrowly getting over the line in their last home match by a mere point in the top of the table showdown against TTU, it won't only be Churchill that will be closely watched with Heyfield's credentials to be put under the microscope.
The two clubs were fierce rivals during the mid-2000's with the rivalry renewed in recent seasons when the sides contested three grand finals from 2003 to 2009, while the clubs clashes last season saw very little separate the sides.

Providing Churchill with a 25 point head start in their last meeting, Heyfield mounted a courageous and spirited which saw the Kangaroos seal victory by a kick. Given the evenness of the competition the Kangaroos can ill afford to allow Churchill the same luxury otherwise they will find themselves playing catch up football against one of the competitions most efficient scoring sides.

Saturday will see the rivalry between the powerhouse clubs of the past decade continue with there one thing guaranteed the four points will have never been so highly sought after.

In a tough initiation to the coaching caper, SALE CITY coach Joel Brayshaw will need to rally and refocus the young pups at the kennel who have just registered the two wins to date.

Taking to the helm of a club who dominated the past three seasons, Brayshaw has done well to continue to develop a young evolving side who has felt the effects of the preseason departures which have left a gap in the sides experienced playing stocks.

This was no more evident than in City's 22 goal thumping at the hands of a rampant Churchill, who at will dominated the contest with their larger bodies and more experienced players packing a punch in the contest.

It doesn't get any easier with round nine seeing the Dogs host last years grand finalists ROSEDALE who after a strong start to the season have dropped two of their past three matches.

Like many sides the Blues have felt the effects of injury and player availability which has caused coach Nick Leechino to continue to make an inordinate amount of changes at the selection table each week a similar position that many of the competitions main men find themselves in.

Boasting a stronger more experienced list with a hard working backline, tall timber forward structure and a damaging engine room the Blues appear to have too many winners around the ground and should have no trouble recording their sixth win.

Celebrating their second win in round seven, BOISDALE/BRIAGOLONG Bombers came crashing back down to earth the following week with a 10 goal defeat at the hands of fourth place Rosedale.

On Saturday the Bombers will host a team on the rise who has won their last two matches of the run for a three – five win loss ledger. But what is most impressive about this week's opponent seventh place GLENGARRY is that their last two wins have come against top five sides in Rosedale and Woodside and they haven't just won, they have done so in a manner which has made the competition front runner stand to attention.

No one could question how tough the going has been and it doesn't get any easier for the Bombers against a Magpie lineup who have found their wings in recent weeks with a renewed confidence and are up and about chasing down the opposition as they mount their challenge on the highly sought after fifth position.

While the Magpies are up and about they can ill afford to be complacent with the Bombers proving to be a different prospect at their home ground.

But it will be a tough task for the home side, the Bombers cavalry will be stretched, the side's fleet footed midfield and defence will be tested, while they will need to boot a winning score to snatch what may be an impossible victory against a quality opponent.

Taking all before them COWWARR have lived up to their title of past seasons as the sleeping giants, with the Saints again starting the season slowly before becoming the competitions giant killers.

Evening their win loss ledger at four a piece following their 50 point drubbing of their higher ranked opposition TTU last round, the Saints are looking good and will be eager to claim the points ahead of the sides showdown against Churchill.

But before the big contest against the Cougars, GORMANDALE await the Saints.

The Tigers remain a work in progress, having performed strongly against opposition sides in patches. But it is the sides inability to string a solid four quarter effort together that has hindered the Tigers roar and seen them only win the two matches to date.

While Gormandale boasts a number of experienced quality players, the question that many will be asking is do they have the right combination to match it against the Saints? In their current form the answer would be no, however such is the evenness of the competition expect the Tigers to provide spirited opposition.

The competitions marked improvers fifth place WOODSIDE and second place TTU will meet at the Woodside Recreation Reserve with the Bombers eager to reverse their past fortnights fortunes.

Winning their opening five matches, the Bombers have struck turbulence with the side dropping their past two against quality opposition in Heyfield and Cowwarr. Convincingly beaten by the Saints the Bombers will be eager to snap their losing streak however it will be a tough assignment against the Wildcats who have enjoyed early success on their home turf.

Woodside's impressive start to the season has resulted in the side winning four matches a significant improvement on their 2012 win loss ledger. Like the Bombers, the Wildcats have fallen away in past rounds and also go into the competition having dropped their last two matches.

With more than just bragging rights at stake, both sides will be eager to claim the scalp of a fellow top five occupant with a toss of the coin the best way to determine the victor in a tight tussle.

By Lauren Carey