The mid-year report card is in with the opening half of the season complimentary of a number of sides, while others have found themselves off the mark.
There is plenty of talk around league front runners Heyfield who have taken all before them in the first eight matches. Last year's preliminary finalists Rosedale shook up their line-up adding further ammunition ensuring that the Blues continue to stamp their supremacy on the competition boasting a 6-2 win loss ratio.
Yarram and Churchill find themselves sitting in the top five. Churchill have impressed in past matches, with last week's efforts putting many opposition coach on notice with the Cougars posing a real threat to the silverware. For Yarram, they need to stand up against the competition front runners to place them in good stead come the pointy end of the season.
Take Two: Former Collingwood premiership star Leigh Brown raring to go as he returns for home club Heyfield
League newcomers YARRAM will take centre stage in the long weekend round when the Demons meet the competitions number one ranked side and their star recruit.
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 for HEYFIELD.
Advising coach Damien Birss he was "right to go" for this week's clash, Brown is confident that he has shaken off the hamstring injury which delayed his eagerly awaited appearance three weeks ago.
"Last time there was a bit of a hiccup, it wasn't ideal but I have another opportunity and I am really looking forward to getting out there and playing" said Brown.
Set to make the trip to Yarram a ground which he hasn't played at before, Brown has put in a number of sessions on the training track in preparedness and is hopeful that the body can hold up.
"I have been able to get back training and I will be ready to go come Saturday."
Meeting Brown and the undefeated Kangaroos is a huge ask for any side, none more so than for Yarram who come into the contest on the back of their biggest loss of the season. Dropping their first home game by over 19 goals coach Grif Underwood will need to refocus his chargers ahead of Saturdays blockbuster.
Kicking the opening three goals of the contest last Saturday BOISDALE/BRIAGOLONG will return to their home turf with the Bombers to host second place ROSEDALE.
Sitting at the opposite ends of the table, it has been lean pickings for the Bombers who have failed to sing the club song after suffering convincing losses to a number of the leagues front runners.
It's a daunting prospect for the baby Bombers who will need to be at their best to counteract the visitors who have dropped just two matches to date.
Former past players and premiership stars of CHURCHILL will be on hand when the Cougars meet reigning premiers GLENGARRY.
Hosting their past players reunion, Churchill will be aiming to make it two on the run with the Cougars coming into the contest on the back of their best four quarter effort.
Noting that his side still had plenty of improvement ahead of last weeks clash for fourth position, coach Allan Chandler would no doubt be pleased with the sides efforts which have left opposition coaches such as this week's opponent Ryan Potter in awe of the performance.
"They are the team to beat at the moment, they are on a roll," said Potter.
Tapping on the door to the five, reigning premiers Glengarry find themselves a game behind fourth placed Churchill and will need to snatch a couple of big wins in the run to finals if they are to give themselves a chance to play beyond round 20 and defend their title.
With injuries playing their toll Potter said it was pleasing to see the spark back amongst his list.
"We have been up and down, there have been a few challenges, the teams changed from last year and we have been adapting to new players.
"What's been pleasing is that we have got our spark back.
"We have had our fair share of injuries, but that's no excuse as to who goes out of the line-up, the 22 that we pick we still expect to win," said Potter.
Fully aware that he needs the 22 chosen at the selection Thursday night to stand-up if they are to compete against last week's giant slayers, Potter knows that the contest will provide the Magpies with a good indicator as to just exactly where the side is at.
"We are confident that we can choose a team that can match it with Churchill, however we need all of the 22 chosen to stand up having a few stand up is not enough.
"Past history shows that we match up reasonably well against Churchill, we know that they are strong at home and we also know that we need to address the costly silly skill errors that sides like Churchill will jump on and penalise us for," said Potter.
With more than just the four points on offer Potter will be expecting big things.
"If we were to get the win we would draw level with Churchill on points, it really starts now for us, and if we drop the points it is going to be very hard going from here at this stage of the season."
The big cats will do battle when GORMANDALE and WOODSIDE compete for the silverware –the Toms Cap Cup.
With both sides coming into the contest on the back of losses a win to either side has never been so important. Enjoying a breakout season under coach Chris Pettitt in 2013, the Wildcats are yet to hit their peak and know that if they don't grab hold of the points against the Tigers that the competitions front runners break will become too great.
Showing patches of solid form hasn't been enough for the Tigers to make a return to the winners list following their win against on Mother's Day. Since then it has been tough going with the four points a must leading into the second half of the season.
Suffering just their second defeat SALE CITY will return home to meet a side on the march with COWWARR's season continuing to gain momentum.
Flying high after a successful month which has seen the Saints significantly improve their win loss ledger with three wins over the past month the visitors won't be easy pickings for the Dogs.
Holding a two game buffer over nearest rivals Churchill, the Dogs will be aiming for a return to the winners list as they ensure they tighten their grip on a top three finish.
TTU has the BYE.
By Lauren Carey
