NTFA premier division: Longford, South Bulldogs duel for top spot

The Bulldogs got the better of the Tigers earlier this season, but coach Anthony Taylor has a healthy respect for their opponents ahead of what he described as "basically a final".

"We were lucky enough to come out on the right side of the ledger earlier in the year but it could have gone either way, it was horrendous conditions," he said.

"We are under no illusions as to how tough they are going to be this Saturday but we can't wait."

Longford come into the clash having seen off Deloraine's threat with what coach Beau Thorp sees to be a full strength line-up.

"They're definitely a very strong side and a strong club, over the last handful of years they've been the one to beat and I think they still are this year," he said.

Ahead of the contest, Thorp thanked his ground staff and the Northern Midlands Council's tireless efforts to get the ground in playing condition since the junior gala day.

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BRACKNELL hosts Deloraine in a match that could be repeated next week with the stakes raised as an elimination final.

Both sitting on 40 points, the pair are equal with Rocherlea, with an upset Tigers loss the only way the game will change, something Deloraine coach Lochy Dornauf is well aware of.

"I think it might be a chance to get a look at Bracknell and them to get a look at us leading into the first week of finals," he said.

"It's highly likely that we are going to play each other first round so we will be trying a few new things, a few different players but largely be focused on getting back to our structure that has made us a decent, formidable team."

While Deloraine was defeated last week, Bracknell comes into this game on a high but Corry Goodluck is wary of the Kangaroos.

"Deloraine got the better of us last time at Deloraine in pretty windy conditions but I think both teams will be structured up a little bit differently to then," he said.

"But the same thing goes, if they start well, you're always chasing for the day, so it's critical we start well."

ROCHERLEA coach Andrew Cox-Goodyer admitted his side "isn't where we want to be" ahead of facing Scottsdale, despite storming into finals.

"We've still got a lot to go until we are perfect and playing the footy we want to be playing," he said.

"We've still got Deloraine and Bracknell on our tails, so if we drop the game we can lose third spot, so going out and getting the job done and securing that top-three spot is priority."

Scottsdale assistant Lochie Young lamented last week's loss, having stuck it with Bracknell for the first half before the Redlegs kicked their way to victory.

"We are just keen to finish on a good note," he said.

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"We still haven't slowed down, we're still trying to keep the training standards up and we are looking to finish the year on a high."

Two bottom-four sides, GEORGE TOWN and Bridgenorth, do battle as both coaches still look to finish the year strong.

Saints coach Adam Zanevra is one of four players across the club playing milestone matches but his focus is all on getting the win.

"It's [ultimately] a dead rubber but for us it's about finishing with a bit of momentum into the off-season and finishing the year on a positive note," he said.

Bridgenorth's Phil Lethborg praised the Saints for their recent run of form as he continues to strive for four-quarter consistency from his side.

"They're finishing the season well to beat Hillwood and Scottsdale, I watched a little bit of them against South and they have improved," he said.

"We are looking forward to the challenge, we are obviously, as they would be too, looking to finish the year off well."