Set to be the second biggest match of the season, all eyes will be on the North Gippsland Football competition this Saturday when one of the biggest recruits to play in the league makes his debut.
The action will not be relegated just to Saturday. Sunday will see Sale City and Rosedale play for their seasons in what many tout will be a titanic battle at Sale.
When HEYFIELD and WOODSIDE met in round two of the North Gippsland Football Netball League this season, all the pre-match hype surrounded the Wildcats and their off season recruitment.
The round two encounter at Woodside saw the Wildcats start their 2009 season off on the right foot, defeating the Kangaroos by a sound 22 points under new coach Travis Ronaldson.
The two clubs are preparing to meet again this Saturday, and just like round two, the match has generated plenty of hype, but this time it’s all to do with Heyfield and their prized recruit former North Melbourne champion Corey McKernan.
A massive crowd is expected to converge on Gordon Recreation Reserve for the top of the table clash which will see four former Australian Rules Footballers take to the field.
Three of which won premierships with their respective clubs, the trio Heyfield coach Stuart Anderson, Mark Stevens and McKernan team mates in the early days with North Melbourne.
Although all the hype surrounds McKernan, Anderson is fully aware that a game is there waiting to be won.
“We’re not treating it as a finals match, both teams are going well and it is more then likely that both will play finals and we may came across one another early on in finals or in the big game,” Anderson said.
“It’s a bit easier having played them already, we know a bit about them. First game we went down the highway having no idea what to expect, I was getting to know my players let alone knowing much about theirs.
“We have taken a fair bit from that game, they have a number of key players that we will need to watch and pay respect to. Obviously both sides will have improved second time around.
“We still have a lot of improvement to make, but I can confidently say that the longer the season goes the better we will get. We have become familiar with one another and they way we do things, and the guys know what my expectations are.
Competition powerhouse Heyfield has dominated the opening half of the season along with Woodside but there is no shortage of challengers for the 2009 premiership.
BOISDALE has emerged as one of the biggest challengers, with the Bombers in past weeks defeating the opposition by 73 and 92 points.
The Bombers will host CHURCHILL, with the fourth placed Cougars aiming to win consecutive matches and keep within striking distance of the top three.
Churchill has shown it boasts some of the most potent strikers this season, but has not played with the consistency of the opposition.
If the Cougars can put together their best combination, then Boisdale faces a tough task at home which hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the Bombers.
In their present form Boisdale is carrying the greater momentum having won three from the past month, while Churchill broke the shackles after consecutive loses to claim the points.
A hard-fought contest is expected with the Bombers desperate for a win at home.
Held tight in the second half last Saturday, COWWARR’s winning run came to a grinding halt at the hands of Glengarry.
This round sees the Saints meet TTU who broke through for their first win in five rounds.
In their earlier encounter the Saints led for three quarters of the match courtesy of the Bombers inaccuracy in front of goal, before TTU turned a three goal final change deficit into an unlikely 11 point victory.
The two sides have continued to improve with Cowwarr’s evolvement and red hot form emerging over the past month.
The Bombers form has been up and down but the side has done enough to sit out side five.
TTU banging on the door to the top five with their percentage seeing them relegated to sixth position from Gormandale who sit equal on points.
A win would keep the Bombers in contention for a finals berth, while a win to the Saints would ensure the second half of the season remains interesting.
Three sides sit one win outside the five Sale City, Rosedale and Cowwarr, all of which are a realistic chance to snatch a top five finish if they can string together some consistent football over the next month.
Both sides know the importance a win would have on their seasons, the Saints will be keen to win at home, and keep pace with Gormandale.
STRATFORD and GLENGARRY will renew their rivalry at Stratford Recreation Reserve, with both sides searching for their fourth win.
The two sides have contested some classic tussles in previous seasons, none more so then in round two when Stratford opened their season account.
The Swans led by forward Tim Light with an eight goal best on ground haul, defeated a competitive Magpie lineup by 13 points.
Josh King was named best on ground for Glengarry, King making a welcomed return to an injury ravaged lineup last round.
The Magpies will also be bolstered by the return of key position player Linton Sizeland from a broken finger, with ruck man Aaron Winkler hitting form following his return some three weeks ago.
On Sunday seventh placed SALE CITY will meet eighth placed ROSEDALE, the stage set for a classic tussle.
While the equation is certainly not out of reach for either side to snare the highly sort after fifth position, the math will certainly become more challenging in coming weeks if either side doesn’t break through for a number of wins.
Blues coach Damien Birss will be looking for no roller coaster rides from his chargers this week just 100 minutes of consistent output.
The two sides are not dissimilar both entered the season with expectations of being much improved outfits and City’s start to the season mirrored that.
Both sides have plenty of firepower up front, as well as talented on ball brigades which will make for an enthralling contest in itself.
A win would emerge as the catalyst that defines the direction either side takes ahead of a tough month on the fixture.
GORMANDALE has the BYE
Last Modified on 22/06/2009 21:28