Premiership favouritism will be decided once and for all on Saturday when Lilydale host league high-flier St Pats.
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An abandoned season opener remains the only blot on Lilydale’s campaign, while Alex Russell’s Saints have won every game to date.
St Pats played its “best quarter for the year” in the final term against Evandale last round and will welcome back Joey Cullen and Joseph Taylor.
“It’ll be our biggest test for the year by far,” Russell said.
“We’ve got a good history playing at Lilydale but they've got a lot more good players than other sides, so it’ll be close but hopefully it falls our way.”
Demons coach Colin Lockhart said his side would be focused on winning the clearances and staying in the contest for 100-plus minutes.
BRIDPORT has looked good despite a run of losses and will welcome Sam McDougall and Gino Kling back in for the clash against Old Launcestonians.
Adam Howlett said he was pleased with his side’s progress from last season but urged his charges to turn their form into wins.
“The last few weeks we’ve been giving teams a start and playing catch up footy, so this week we’ll be focusing on that first 10 minutes of footy,” he said.
Howlett’s opposition are on a high after notching a win at East Coast and have named Luke Johnson, Casey Reissig and Danny Hall.
“It has taken a little while for us to gel with so many new faces but if we play our best footy I think we’re going to be competitive,” coach Paul Beechey said.
TAMAR CATS will unveil new guernseys alongside two big recruits against Meander Valley this weekend.
Former Bridgenorth forward Leigh Blackwell and ex-Northern Bomber Michael Routledge will make their debuts, with last season’s coach Brennan Cresswell also set to return to the line-up in a few weeks’ time.
“The next three games are all games that we’re in with a chance so the mood’s positive,” coach Wayne Kirby said. David Manktelow’s Suns have won three games on the trot and remain in contention for finals.
“(Tamar) have had their struggles but if you let your guard down and be complacent sides like that can cause boilovers,” he said.
“A perfect example is a couple of weeks ago, no-one expected us to beat East Coast.”
UNI-MOWBRAY will look to send Nick Boye off with a win when the forward plays his final game before returning to Denmark.
A tough East Coast side awaits but City Eagles coach Alan Perrin said his side would give its all for Boye.
“I’ve been really impressed with his desire, his skills aren’t that flash but he gives it a fair dinkum crack which is great,” Perrin said.
Mid-table pair PERTH and Old Scotch will meet at the NTCA Ground.