Aberfeldie will look to keep immediate pressure on the Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division top two when they host Pascoe Vale this weekend.
Abers are currently third, locked in at 8-2 alongside Strathmore and Keilor but the Gorillas inferior percentage sees them linger ever so slightly behind the competition's front runners.
Aberfeldie's trademark defence has been in full swing the previous few weeks as Adam Potter's side looks to have found a nice balance between offence and defence.
Luke Davis seems the likely match up for the competition's leading goal kicker Matthew Watson, but it might not be a sure thing as Watson found himself playing higher up the ground last weekend.
With the likes of Brad Inglis, Liam Ogden and Jacob Polizzi hitting the scoreboard last round as Digby Morrell tinkered with his forward setup, Pacco will have to find a similar spread to trouble the Aberfeldie backline.
Not only do Pascoe Vale need a win to keep in touch with the top four, a major scalp would go a long way to giving the Panthers the confidence they can still contend for the premiership this year.
Speaking of confidence, it would be sky high at Maribyrnong Park at the moment.
The Lions have won their last four games against a mix of competition and a win against local rival Avondale Heights would make it a sweet fifth consecutive victory.
Brodie Romensky and Jordan Davey are both in rich veins of form at the moment and are becoming some of Brad Swain's most reliable contributors each week.
As for Avondale Heights, after the highs of the early season it seems the team at Canning Reserve are simply in a slump.
It's not unusual for a younger list to waiver in form and it'll be up to Patrick Byrne to turn around the fortunes of his team.
He'll be relying on his leaders like Matt Cravino and Patrick Rose to get this team going again in the back half of the year.
Greenvale will travel to Joe Brown Oval to take on a formidable Keilor side.
With Mick McGuane's team coming off their second loss for the year, the Blues will be looking to get back on the winner's list as soon as possible.
While we've seen Greenvale push some of the better sides this season, they are yet to take a win against a top half side, taking all their scalps against equal or lesser competition.
If the Jets can get their high rollers like Chris Farchione, Fabian Deluca, Sam Zumbo and Tyson Young firing on all cylinders, they may just challenge Keilor.
Glenroy and Essendon Doutta Stars face off at Sewell Reserve with the winner almost guaranteed survival in Premier Division for another season.
History has shown that three wins will usually suffice for a team to remain in this division.
With both teams locked at 2-8 on the ladder, the winner will find themselves potentially three wins clear of the drop.
That may depend on the result at DS Aitken Reserve when Craigieburn take on Strathmore.
While we saw last week that the Eagles are capable of playing patches of strong football, they have failed to find the consistency required to remain competitive across four quarters.
With Strathmore travelling very nicely at the top of the ladder, it would be an all mighty upset to see last defeat first.
The Nena and Pasadena EDFL Match of the Day Van will be heading up the highway this week as a crucial battle in the relegation conversation takes place.
The Sunbury Kangaroos will host Taylors Lakes at Eric Boardman Reserve in a game that sees ninth play tenth.
The Kangaroos sit two games ahead of the winless Lions and also sport a much healthier percentage.
If Charles Cuzzupi's team want to remain in Strathmore Community Bank Division One, a win here is the perfect way to kickstart a late season revival.
However Leigh Sporle's side will be looking to snap a seven-game losing streak and re-discover some of their earlier season form.
It means there will be all to play for come Saturday, be sure to catch all the action from 2pm thanks to Cluch TV and 98.9 North West FM.
At the other end of the ladder, third-placed Airport West are nipping at the heels of second-placed Tullamarine.
The Eagles teased us early in the season with fluctuating form, but a string of four consecutive wins suggests Trent Rogers has got his team playing some of their best football.
They'll face a massive test in Tullamarine, who will be riding high after defeating fellow contenders West Coburg last week on the road.
The Demons have been challenged in periods this year but the scoresheet suggests there is no better team at running out games than Tullamarine.
Dave Connell's team has only lost one final quarter in season 2021 so far, showing their ruthlessness to put games to bed at the death.
The Eagles will have to bring four quarters of football to prove they are the real deal this year.
With two back-to-back wins on the road, Roxburgh Park return to Lakeside Oval to host West Coburg.
With the Magpies well clear of the relegation zone, it's time for Michael Farrelly's side to keep building on what they've achieved in 2021.
It's no surprise Roxy have put together its best performances of the year when they've had their strongest pool of personnel fit and firing for selection.
Matt Patane is flourishing up forward with his mate Raaf Rachrache back on the park and Harley Short is leading a young midfield with aplomb.
As for West Coburg, Dale May's team has been so close but so far since the return of play to suffer three straight defeats.
The opposition they have played are all quality sides, but there has to be some concerns at Shore Reserve with the Burgers yet to topple a top four side.
The Magpies will offer stiff competition, particularly at home, but it's West Coburg that has much more to play for.
Especially when Westmeadows are keeping the pressure from below.
The Tigers sit a significant chunk of percentage below the top four but their win-loss of 6-4 is on par with the fourth-placed Burgers.
They'll face off against Rupertswood this weekend at Willowbrook Reserve.
Rupo have shown plenty of signs so far this year but this young squad is just starting to slip.
While their defensive efforts for the most part should be commended, the Sharks continue to struggle to put scoreboard pressure on their opposition.
At times the Tigers have struggled to score themselves, especially with the absence of Robbie Castello, but form lines suggest they should get the job done here.
Finally, Hillside face the daunting task of travelling to Overland Reserve to take on East Keilor.
The Cougars are well-and-truly purring at the moment.
With so many stars across all lines of the field, Charlie Denaro will have his work cut out here to try dismantle the ladder leaders.
Coburg Districts have quickly become one of the form teams in Strathmore Community Bank Division Two after dismantling Keilor Park for its fourth win on the trot.
They'll welcome Burnside Heights to Cole Reserve on Saturday with the Bears having an indifferent season so far.
Last time these sides met, the Bears got the win at the Den by 27 points, so the onus goes onto Tom Gleeson's side to flip the script at home this time around.
Josh Covelli and Anthony Fawcus combined for eight goals last week, despite going down to Moonee Valley by a hefty margin.
The Districts will be able to get a good read of their form against a quality opposition.
Speaking of the Fog, they head to Charles Mutton Reserve to take on the Northern Saints.
The Saints are coming off the bye and will have to come out of the blocks strong if they are to be a chance in this game.
Moonee Valley have proven to be a strong defensive unit this season so the likes of Nick Bruno and Fabian Pennelli will have to fire to test the Valley backline.
Shanon Carroll has assembled quite a spread of scorers himself though, with Stuart Taylor, Braden Padmore, Bevan Newell and Sam O'Brien all helping themselves to significant hauls this year.
Keilor Park's form line has fluctuated significantly this season but if you're one for believing in patterns, they are due a win against Oak Park this week.
The Devils have gone WLWLWL over their previous six starts but to get the 'W' against the Kangaroos would be a very notable scalp.
Paul Guicas' team has played its best football when their leaders stand strong, so the likes of Daylan Kempster and Luke Furci will need to quell the influence Oak Park's star players.
Blair Cronin, Danny Rajab and Ryan Smith all boast serious pedigree and will need some stopping for the Devils to be in the contest on Saturday.
Lastly, East Sunbury will be given the opportunity to consolidate its top four position when they play Jacana.
The Jags have shown steady improvement throughout the year, reducing quality opposition to smaller and smaller scores each week while finding the goals themselves.
However, with finals spots so tight in Division Two, the Thunder won't be holding back any punches at John McMahon Reserve.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
CRAIGIEBURN v STRATHMORE
Saturday 2:15pm at DS Aitken Reserve
GLENROY v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS
Saturday 2:15pm at Sewell Reserve
KEILOR v GREENVALE
Saturday 2:15pm at Joe Brown Oval
AVONDALE HEIGHTS v MARIBYRNONG PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Canning Reserve
ABERFELDIE v PASCOE VALE
Saturday 2:15pm at Clifton Park
SUNBURY KANGAROOS v TAYLORS LAKES
🎥 Cluch TV
📻 98.9 North West FM
Saturday 2:15pm at Eric Boardman Reserve
ROXBURGH PARK v WEST COBURG
Saturday 2:15pm at Lakeside Oval
TULLAMARINE v AIRPORT WEST
Saturday 2:15pm at Leo Dineen Reserve
EAST KEILOR v HILLSIDE
Saturday 2:15pm at Overland Reserve
WESTMEADOWS v RUPERTSWOOD
Saturday 2:15pm at Willowbrook Reserve
NORTHERN SAINTS v MOONEE VALLEY
Saturday 2:15pm at Charles Mutton Reserve
EAST SUNBURY v JACANA
Saturday 2:15pm at John McMahon Reserve
KEILOR PARK v OAK PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Keilor Park Reserve
COBURG DISTRICTS v BURNSIDE HEIGHTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Cole Reserve
Hadfield has the BYE.
