Pascoe Vale were able to take a scalp before the break against Aberfeldie, they'll have to back up that performance with the difficult task of Keilor this weekend.
The Panthers are just two points outside the Strathmore Community Bank top four and another well-credentialed showing, win or lose, might be enough for us to keep faith with Digby Morrell's side.
While Matt Watson looms as the biggest offensive threat in the division, the Panthers' backline has been working like clockwork in previous weeks as they've grinded out low-scoring wins against strong opposition.
Matt Stillman has been one of the rocks for the red and black that see his side sport the second best defensive record in Premier Division.
As for Keilor, they were able to get back on the winner's list last round against Greenvale despite missing some key personnel.
Dean Galea should return from suspension to test that Pacco backline, but we're yet to find out if reigning Reynolds Medallist Kane Barbuto will return.
Nipping at the respective heels of Pascoe Vale and Keilor are Avondale Heights and Aberfeldie.
The two sides will face-off at Canning Reserve with a big four points up for grabs.
As spots tighten in the top two and four of the division, either team that misses out this week will be facing an up hill battle to secure their desired spot.
Although inaccuracy plagued the Heights last start against Maribyrnong Park, it seemed Patrick Byrne's side had some of its attacking mojo back as they managed the 22 scoring shots, including 6.1 in a thrilling final term.
Danko Bzenic's ability to kick goals consistently from a number of roles has been one of the true highlights of Avondale's season.
And while Aberfeldie's usual suspects this season were able to hit the scoreboard against Pascoe Vale three weekends ago, the supply and delivery was lacking with Adam Potter's midfield missing key contributors in Matt Williamson and Zach Hislop.
It will be a good test for both sides to see where their season lies with just five rounds remaining.
The remaining three games in Premier Division are looking a little bit more one-sided with clear favourites heading into each contest.
Greenvale are desperately clinging on to season 2021 and the opportunity to bank a win over Craigieburn will be welcomed by the Jets.
We've seen the Eagles perform admirably early in games, but with Darren Bewick's side needing a much required boost, they'll look to run away with the four points and a percentage boost in this game.
Glenroy opened up a three-game gap from the tenth-placed Eagles at the end of Round 11 when they secured their third win of the year against Essendon Doutta Stars.
The Roys have banked four wins in their previous two seasons of Premier Division football, so the opportunity to find the fourth or fifth win will be a goal of Ross Terranova's men in the back stage of this year.
It won't come easy this week though, with the Roys set to face top-placed Strathmore at Lebanon Reserve.
Glenroy were able to sneak home with the victory in this same fixture two years ago but the Mores are a much more formidable force in 2021.
And finally Maribyrnong Park will host Essendon Doutta Stars at Monk Oval.
After leading by 29 points at three-quarter time against Avondale Heights last start, the Lions left the top four door right open with their draw to their local rival.
However, given what Marby have produced over the course of this season you'd expect Brad Swain's team to come away with the win.
Last time East Keilor and Tullamarine faced off, we were treated to one of the games of the season with Dave Connell's team coming away 16-point victors in the Round 3 clash.
Since then the Cougars have found another gear and front up as a confronting task to any team in Strathmore Community Bank Division One.
On the contrary, the Demons had waivered slightly in their past few games, after a defeat at the hands of Airport West and relying on a number of last quarter comebacks to secure victory.
If this game had been played on its originally fixtured date three weeks ago, neither team might have gone in at full strength as a flurry of first choice players were set to miss, however the recent break may have been just what both sides needed to inject some freshness into their line-ups.
Expect this game to be sneaky preview to what we might see at Windy Hill come September.
While the top two of the division battle it out, three v four will go head-to-head at Hansen Reserve with Airport West taking on Westmeadows.
The Eagles have staked their credentials in this year's premiership race with their most recent wins coming against Tullamarine and West Coburg, with Rupertswood sandwiched in between.
They'll get another chance to prove their worth against a plucky Westmeadows side who are back inside the top four.
Trent Roger's side was given an invaluable boost with Jesse McVeigh and James Micallef back in the team last start to provide unquestionable experience to the Eagles.
As for the Tigers, Omar Abdallah put his hand up as a clear goal source for Mo Kaakour's line-up with a bag of seven in the win over Rupertswood.
He compliments the likes of Jayden Ranno, Mitch Church and Omar Saad in a forward line that provides quality and depth.
Fifth will also play sixth in Division One as West Coburg travel to Shark Park to take on Hillside.
West Coburg are desperately out of form after not registering a win since the return to play in mid-June.
While three of the Burgers four defeats have come across some of the division's highest-rated teams, the loss to the admittedly high-flying Magpies did raise eyebrows across EDFL circles.
Daniel Archer, Daniel Johncock and Jordan Gloury all missed the clash against Roxburgh Park but good sides are able to cover their losses and right now, the Burgers are failing to do that.
As for Hillside, its season teeters on a knives edge at 5-6 after 11 games.
The last six starts have seen the Sharks go win-loss-win-loss-win-loss, and while Charlie Denaro's are probably matching preseason expectations, the opportunity to knock-off the out-of-form Burgers comes as a great one.
Rupertswood and the Sunbury Kangaroos face-off in a battle of bragging rights for the local rivals.
The Kangaroos looked good in last Nena and Pasadena EDFL Match of the Day and with survival in Division One now looking secured, Leigh Sporle's side will be on the hunt for a few more wins on the board.
Nathan Carroll has impressed as a key target inside the forward arc while the dynamic duo of Scott Bedford and Quentin Shandley ooze X-factor unlike any players in this division.
Rupo pushed the Kangaroos in the reverse fixture earlier this season, falling short by three points at the final siren.
While the Shark have seemingly lacked firepower at times this season, a transfer for former Melbourne high-flyer Russell Robertson caught the eye of some a few weeks ago.
Is this the kind of fixture where Arron Bray reveals the ace up his sleeve?
Lastly, Roxburgh Park travel to Lionheart Reserve to take on the winless Lions.
The Magpies are on a three-win streak and are looking for a fourth, with senior players like Harley Short and Jack Elliot playing career best football can the Magpies dare to dream of finals in 2021?
A huge top-of-the-table clash headlines the fixture for Strathmore Community Bank Division Two this week.
Undefeated Moonee Valley travel to JP Fawkner to take on second-placed Oak Park.
Last time these sides met, the Fog came away seven-point winners in its closest game for the season.
Braden Padmore has found a fine vein of form as the former Division Two team of the year member rockets up the division's goal kicking table.
The versatile tall kicked 13 last round against the Northern Saints to sit equal first with Hadfield's Mark Sabatino with 42 goals for the season.
The Oak Park backline will have their work cut out for them trying to quell the influence of Padmore alongside teammates Stuart Taylor, Bevan Newell and Sam O'Brien.
The Kangas sport plenty of top end talent of their own with a flurry of former division one quality players still at Todd Clark's disposal.
Blair Cronin, Danny Rajab, Jack Pascu and Trav Anderson all posses division one pedigree while Jedd Taylor has managed 11 goals in his last two starts.
With the Nena and Pasadena EDFL Match of the Day van there to capture all the action, both sides have a chance to make a statement on the Division Two premiership race.
Be sure to tune in from 2pm thanks to Cluch TV and 98.9 North West FM.
Elsewhere Burnside Heights will be fighting to return to the top four when they welcome East Sunbury to the Den.
The Thunder currently hold the coveted fourth spot on the Division Two ladder but there are plenty of sides looking to dismantle them.
Bears' spearhead Josh Covelli is free to play this weekend after his initial three-week suspension was successfully appealed before lockdown.
Alongside Covelli, Anthony Fawcus has always been a proven scorer of goals, Jordan Hughes can find the scoresheet from midfield and Gabriel Cristiano was able to kick five against Coburg Districts last round.
East Sunbury have plenty of firepower at their disposal too with young forward Cooper McPharlane trouble the top of the goal kicking leader board with 41 goals to his name so far this season.
While the ladder in Division Two is now decided by win percentage as opposed to premiership points, this contest is still a proverbial 'eight-point game'.
The Northern Saints will host the in-form Coburg Districts at Charles Mutton Reserve on Saturday.
The Saints have shown some good signs this year but as a young and developing list, we've seen the wheels fall off a few times against quality opposition.
With Tom Gleeson's team travelling nicely at the moment, expect the more mature and hardened Districts to get the win here.
Hadfield return from the bye to face-off against Jacana.
The Jags have shown inroads this season but in a year that is seemingly a battle of attrition the Jaguars are falling away fast.
You can't deny the commitment of Glenn McIntyre's team but Hadfield will be on the hunt after suffering a lean patch during the games played after the June COVID break.
The Hawks have gone 0-3 in their last three starts and the break may have been the reset Brett Pitt's team needed after losing some key contributors to injury.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
STRATHMORE v GLENROY
Saturday 2:15pm at Lebanon Reserve
MARIBYRNONG PARK v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS
Saturday 2:15pm at Monk Oval
GREENVALE v CRAIGIEBURN
Saturday 2:15pm at Greenvale Recreation Reserve
AVONDALE HEIGHTS v ABERFELDIE
Saturday 2:15pm at Canning Reserve
PASCOE VALE v KEILOR
Saturday 2:15pm at Raeburn Reserve
TAYLORS LAKES v ROXBURGH PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Lionheart Reserve
HILLSIDE v WEST COBURG
Saturday 2:15pm at Hillside Reserve
AIRPORT WEST v WESTMEADOWS
Saturday 2:15pm at Hansen Reserve
EAST KEILOR v TULLAMARINE
Saturday 2:15pm at Overland Reserve
RUPERTSWOOD v SUNBURY KANGAROOS
Saturday 2:15pm at Salesian College
OAK PARK v MOONEE VALLEY
🎥 Cluch TV
📻 98.9 North West FM
Saturday 2:15pm at JP Fawkner Reserve
JACANA v HADFIELD
Saturday 2:15pm at Jacana Reserve
NORTHERN SAINTS v COBURG DISTRICTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Charles Mutton Reserve
BURNSIDE HEIGHTS v EAST SUNBURY
Saturday 2:15pm at Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve
Keilor Park has the BYE.
