Gippsland Power coach and former AFL Collingwood premiership star Leigh Brown will return to the club where it all began, pulling on the Kangaroos strip when the top of the table Heyfield return to the field following the weeks break.
Making his senior debut against this week's opponent COWWARR, Brown is looking forward to getting back to his grass roots at HEYFIELD and giving something back to a club and community that were an endless support to him during his career at the elite level.
"I have always planned to go back at some point and was pretty close last year it has worked well this week with the TAC competition having a league bye for development week.
"I'm looking forward to going back home and having a run around where it all began, I actually played my first senior game for Heyfield against Cowwarr.
"Growing up in Heyfield the town and footy clubs support has been unwavering over the past 20 years from people buying raffle tickets when I made the Under 12 Victorian squad, the community support has been outstanding throughout my career and I hope that I can give something back.
"Others like Mark Stevens, Damien Guengerich and Adrian Cox have set the tone by coming back to the club to play and I would like to think that I am keeping the tradition alive by doing the same thing," said Brown.
Looking forward to the contest, Brown is a realist noting that he hasn't had much match practice since retiring from the game in 2011.
"Ideally I would like to play a couple of games, I have played two past players matches since retiring in 2011 and they were a little bit Mickey mouse," said Brown.
Developing the stars of the future in his role as head coach of Gippsland Power, Brown has trained on several occasions with Heyfield and has been able to pass on his knowledge of the game to some of the younger members of the team.
"It is good for myself and other guys who have played to share our knowledge which I have done at training.
"You can pick up on some of the little things that can help the group, if you can give them one, two, three things that they can do better it all helps."
Tapping on the door to the top five the Saints credentials will be tested when they host not only Brown but a red hot Heyfield line up who have been ruthless in their disposal of opposition sides.
Failing to claim the points in round six, 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 attempt at another crack at the title.
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.
With their season humming along ROSEDALE will meet WOODSIDE
a team on the improve, marching up the ladder to level their season ledger at 3-3 to sit sixth. Round seven will provide them with yet another big test to see just were the Wildcats are at.
For followers of the league many would comment that the Blues have been sublime with all aspects of their game falling into place as the side continues to gel into a formidable combination.
The man at the helm Nick Leechino notes that there are still several areas in his sides game plan that need tweaking if they are to account for the benchmark team of the competition Heyfield in their second meeting.
"We were disappointed that we didn't get over the line against Heyfield and Glengarry, but we have learnt a lot out of the two losses," said Leechino.
Noting his side's ability to finish strongly in the six matches to date as a positive, Leechino is also conscious of his side's slow first halves to matches.
"Of the six games we have really finished strongly, but what we are looking for is consistency across the board rather than a strong finish we want to pull this together for the full four quarters.
"It's hard to pinpoint exactly what it is, the fitness is there, the guys are working hard it just
comes back to getting consistency across the match."
Blowing the game apart in the second half against the Saints, the Blues can ill afford to afford the Wildcats the same luxury otherwise they will be relegated to playing catch up footy against a side ready to claim a big name scalp.
YARRAM will play host to BOISDALE/BRIAGOLONG with the sides coming into the contest on the back of losses.
Gallant in defeat against second placed Sale City, the Demons slow start proved the difference in the wet wintery conditions last Saturday. Returning to their home turf where they remain undefeated the Demons will be a tough opponent for the Bombers who will be keen to record their second win of the season.
TTU's season ambitions are looking bleak with last year's finalists sitting at the lower end of the premiership ladder standings.
Sitting at the bottom of the table winless, the Bombers 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 quarter time lead last Saturday, the Bombers have shown glimpses of solid form over the last three weeks 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 the Tigers. 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.
Gaining momentum in past weeks the Tigers fell narrowly shortly after a stirring comeback against Yarram, before holding arch rival Glengarry at bay in Sundays contest.
In their current form the Tigers will pose a threat to the Bombers with the sides renowned for their tough physical contests with this encounter to be no different.
With their wings clipped in round six GLENGARRY will be eager to rebound on their home turf which has been a happy hunting ground this year, the side winning two from three.
It will be a tough assignment meeting the inform second placed SALE CITY who at near full strength are shaping to be a formidable opponent and with a 5-1 win loss ratio are set to lay a claim to a top five finish come seasons end.
Taking the points in past weeks over Churchill and Yarram sides within the five, the Dogs will be confident that they have the cavalry to match it with the reigning premiers.
CHURCHILL has the BYE.
By Lauren Carey
