The man at the helm of BOISDALE/BRIAGOLONG Dean Pratt is a realist, one who is fully aware that his chargers will be up against it when they play host to CHURCHILL.

Taking comfort in the fact that the Cougars have struggled to play the Bombers home ground with great success in past years, Pratt is confident that his side will continue to improve and get better.

"It's been hard yakka, it would have been nice to have had a few more in against Heyfield as we were quite depleted, and maybe that would have meant that we wouldn't have lost by so much.

"We know that you have to play these top sides sooner or later, win, lose or draw the sides got to be exposed to see where the list is at," said Pratt.

And the going doesn't get any easier for the Bombers when they host a rebounding Churchill line-up.

"A few around the club have spoken about the fact that the last few times the side has played Churchill at home we have had great success against them, but this time around we have some 12 new guys playing their first season with us.

"Getting the side to gel as a team is important, the more the team plays together they will know where their teammates move, where they kick to, we need to sort this out which will go a long way to us heading in the right direction," said Pratt.

Blooding several thirds eligible players in past weeks due to injury or unavailability due to work commitments, has seen several juniors playing just their first or second senior game.

"The kids have had an opportunity to experience senior footy due to injuries and work commitments, Adam Helmke is a week by week prospect for us, Glen Semmens has done his hamstring which puts a dent in our depth.

"We should get two players back but I will lose another two from the side so were about three short of our best," said Pratt.

Despite the baptism of fire start to the season Pratt knows that his side is definitely capable of winning at home and is moving in the right direction.

"Against Sale City we had the same amount of scoring shots, and went inside 50 more often than the opposition but didn't take our chances, the players are capable; it's just been tough to win.

"To kick eight goals in a quarter against Woodside proves that the side is capable, our biggest issue is that where not a team that can afford not to have our best out there.

"I am confident that our hard work will be rewarded with a win and that will have everyone back up on their toes again," said Pratt.

A week can be a long time in footy circles and COWWARR have shown just how quickly you can turn your form around and hit the winners list.

The Saints have impressed in past weeks accounting for Glengarry and TTU, two of last year's top three sides, and fell agonisingly short of the line against Churchill.

Up and about the Saints will provide ROSEDALE with yet another challenge with the Blues coming into the contest on the back of a tough three rounds which saw the side pitted against last season tops sides Glengarry, TTU and Heyfield.

The sides have been renowned for their tough physical contests over past seasons with their first meeting in 2014 set to be no different.

WOODSIDE will aim to rebound when they host TTU who takes to the road following a 20 point drubbing at the hands of the Saints.

Failing to impose a presence that they quickly become renowned for over the past season, the winless Bombers were caught out in the opening term against the Saints. TTU have pulled together some purple patches of form but know that a strong four quarter effort is required if a win is on the cards against a side reeling from their inaccuracy over the past fortnight.

Dropping the points in their last two outings seventh placed Wildcats will be aiming to steady the ship and make a return to the winners list.

With just the two wins to date the Wildcats were highly fancied to take their game to another level this season, but like the Bombers have found their inconsistent form at times to be costly.

With plenty at stake for both outfits expect a high quality contest that will go down to the wire.

The clash between second placed SALE CITY and third place YARRAM is set to entice with very few tipping that the two sides would be sitting high above the pack on the premiership ladder standings.

Claiming four wins to date, the same number as last season, the Dogs have found their bite and will fancy their chances against the Demons.

Failing to fair well away from their home ground, the Dogs will be aware of the Demons short fallings with the side yet to claim the four points on the road. In contrast Sale City will make a welcome return to Stephenson Park having last taken to their home ground in the opening round.

Saturdays contest is likely to act as a barometer providing City's coaching staff with an indication as to just where they are at the early stages of the competition. Playing two sides at the top end of the premiership ladder standings in consecutive weeks is a tough ask for any side but in their current form expect the Dogs to relish and possibly cause another upset.

Traditional North Gippsland rivals GORMANDALE and GLENGARRY will play for the Keith Lang – Bill Onley Cup on Mother's Day at Gormandale.

The Cups concept was born several seasons ago after the two clubs decided they would honour two individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to their clubs and the league by striking a trophy which would replace the Gippsland and Northern (G&N) Cup which the clubs contested with fierce rivalry for 25 years.

Last Mothers Day was the third occasion in over nine seasons that the Magpies triumphed over the Tigers, and will again prove to be a test for Glengarry's resolve. While the reigning premiers boast a 3-2 win loss ledger their victories to date have been by margins less than three points, you could say that they have mastered the great escape.

In contrast the Tigers have been close staging a strong premiership term comeback last Saturday which saw the side slam home seven majors to draw level with third placed Yarram in the early stages of the final term. While no doubt disappointed to be 0-5, Gormandale coach Luke Henderson would be fully aware that given the evenness of the competition his side isn't down and out just yet.

Regardless of the ladder position of the sides the contest is always fiercely played, with Glengarry fully aware that you write Gormandale off at your own peril. In their current form expect the Magpies to take their chances and claim bragging rights over rivals Gormandale.

HEYFIELD has the BYE.

By Lauren Carey