Division one's four sides sitting 5-1 do battle this week as Old Scotch travel to the East Coast and Lilydale hosts Old Launcestonians.
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OLD SCOTCH v EAST COAST
Although pleased with his side handing Lilydale its first loss since the 2018 semi-finals, Old Scotch coach Brayley Coombes said "it's only May".
With six key players unavailable this week, the Thistles' depth will be tested on the road.
"That really gives us an opportunity to give some exposure in a really intense game to some younger guys who have been doing really well in the reserves and also see how some of our other guys stack up without some key leaders around us," Coombes said.
East Coast's sole blemish to its record was the round four loss to Lilydale, from which the Swans rebounded with strong victories over Evandale and UTAS.
The Gene Savage-coached outfit ran away from UTAS in the last term as Nick Child booted 11 for the match to sit atop the goalkicking tally.
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
LILYDALE v OLS
Lilydale coach Colin Lockhart said his side is using last week's loss as a huge motivator for their OLs match.
Saying the Demons fell away from what has made them a successful side, Lockhart is hoping for a stronger performance this week as Sam Cooke and Jai Asbury return.
"We'd hope not to turn up and play like we did in the second half against Scotch so the boys are primed and ready to go," he said.
After a winning performance described by coach Laine Cleaver as "below par", the Blues welcome back Richard Howe and Jesse Brown for the big match-up.
"We've been looking forward to this game for a few weeks now ... we've won five games in a row since losing to Scotch in round one, so we are keen to play Lilydale and see how they go," he said.
ST PATS v PERTH
The remaining top-five side, St Pats, welcome back former coach Alex Russell for their Perth clash.
Focusing on the things his side can control, coach Jake Lowe is looking forward to a good contest.
"No game is an easy game, we've learned that," he said.
"We've got to respect them and they have two or three really good players so we will make sure we go into the game 100 per cent focused and put a bit of time into their good players."
Perth comes into the game off the back of a last-quarter victory against Meander Valley, who defeated St Pats two weeks ago, with Magpies coach Danny Bennett describing their opponents as "up and down".
"At their best, they are definitely a competitive team at the top of the scale and we just look to challenge every week," he said.
"If we can apply that effort and pressure again, we will give ourselves a chance at getting another win."
BRIDPORT v MEANDER VALLEY
Decimated by injury, Bridport is hoping to get through to its upcoming bye unscathed as the Seagulls face Meander Valley.
Missing several starting midfields and forwards, coach Greg Latham said the injuries and the Suns' recent results make the game a "significant challenge".
"Clearly they were in a position to beat St Pats the week prior so we're certainly not taking it lightly, that's for sure," Latham said.
Suns coach Damien Rhind admitted his side went away from their game plan last week in a loss to Perth and is looking to get back to it on Saturday.
"We identified after the game the areas where we fell down and we went through them this week and are hoping to give a good account of ourselves at home," he said.
EVANDALE v UTAS
At the other end of the ladder, Evandale hosts UTAS as both look to break through.
Eagles coach Sam Bouwman admitted doubts have crept in to his side's football having not won yet but thinks they can be put aside.
"We went back to some of the footy we played in the practice matches when it was a bit more free, we weren't actually keeping score in a couple of those and I think that mentality helped the younger boys," he said.
Bouwman hopes to regain Seb Woof and Lachie Groves for the clash, with UTAS coach Brodie Tiernan seeing improvement in several areas of his side's game as he embraces the challenge.
"Hopefully we can apply what we have been learning and be competitive on the weekend," he said.
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