THE two leading contenders in Strathmore Community Bank Division Two will go head-to-head this weekend when Moonee Valley hosts Oak Park on Saturday.
Both teams have started the year with aplomb with only percentage separating the two sides' 3-0 starts atop of the Division Two ladder.
Moonee Valley has seemingly found the perfect balance between attack and defence so far this year.
Shanon Carroll's side ranks third for points scored in the division but defensively the Fog's backline has been the stingiest in the competition so far and are yet to concede more than 10 goals in a match.
They'll have their work cut out for them come Saturday though, with the Kangaroos packing one of the biggest punches in the division.
Former Division One staples Travis Anderson and Jack Pascu have consistently hit the scoreboard so far this season, while Zac Taylor nabbed four goals last week in a best-on-ground performance.
It's set to be a grandstand game at Ormond Park this weekend.
Under lights at John McMahon Reserve, East Sunbury takes on Burnside Heights with both teams coming off strong victories in round 3.
The Bears notched up their first win of the season despite missing several key personnel.
Reigning best-and-fairest winner Adam Sullivan has been ruled out for the year, while Josh Covelli is still battling a hamstring injury.
In Covelli's absence, 2019 team-of-the-year forward Anthony Fawcus has provided a good reliable target up front for the Bears.
East Sunbury, on the other hand, had no problem finding goal kickers last week in its big win over Jacana.
Back-to-back wins for the Thunder will have them up-and-about and keen to put on a good performance for their fans at home.
Coburg Districts will be searching for their first win of the year when they come up against the Northern Saints at Cole Reserve.
Districts sits bottom of the table but might see the Northern Saints as their best opportunity for a win yet, after Peter Lohner's team was bought back to earth by Moonee Valley.
Hadfield return off the bye with a game against Jacana.
It will be the first time the Jaguars have left Jacana Reserve this season.
In Strathmore Community Bank Division One, the NXP EDFL Match of the Day crew are off to Eric Boardman Reserve to see the Sunbury Kangaroos take on West Coburg.
The Kangaroos have been one of the surprise packets so far this season, sitting third on the Division 1 ladder after back-to-back wins.
Mitch Streiff has been one of the Kangaroos' star performers this season, being named in the bests three times and bagging the winning goal last week against Rupertswood.
The Burgers will prove to be their biggest test yet, though.
Last week Dale May was finally able to unleash star recruit Lynden Dunn with the key forward snagging three goals in his West Coburg debut.
It spells trouble for the Sunbury Kangaroos backline, who will have their hands full with the trio of Dunn, Daniel Archer and Liam Bowkett.
Tune in from 2pm Saturday thanks to Cluch TV and 98.9 North West FM.
Elsewhere in the division, one of the EDFL's greatest rivalries is set to ignite at Leo Dineen Reserve.
Westmeadows travels to Tullamarine after both sides pulled off remarkable wins in the Anzac Day round.
The fallout of those victories, unfortunately, were injuries to both sides.
However, the top end talent both teams possess will make this an enthralling contest.
Anthony Liberatore and Steven Vocale have had the Sherrin on a string this year and have provided plenty of meters gained going forward, while the Westmeadows forward line of Robbie Castello, Mitch Church and Omar Saad will keep Shannon Bennett and co. busy down back.
The clash at Lionheart Reserve may prove crucial in this year's relegation battle with Taylors Lakes and Rupertswood both desperate for a win.
Rupo fell agonisingly short against the Sunbury Kangaroos but should take some confidence away from their performance last Saturday.
As for the Lions, who is going to stand-up and support a seemingly one-man show in Patrick Rose?
Roxburgh Park's home form is set to be tested when East Keilor comes to town.
The Magpies are undefeated up at the Nest this year and have won three of their last four matches at the venue.
Finally, Hillside faces Airport West with both sides needing a win to keep in the mix with the top four.
And in Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division, which underdog can pull off an upset in round 4?
Aberfeldie heads down the hill to take on Maribyrnong Park at Monk Oval.
Brandon Ryan and Nick Prowse have been lively up forward for the Lions but we all know the strength of the Aberfeldie backline.
Luke Davis and Josh Toy haven't missed a beat in their return to football in 2021, while big man Nick Meese is sure to give the Abers midfield first use.
Keilor have been tested over the past fortnight but their 23-win streak remains intact.
They'll travel to Canning Reserve where they're sure to find some stiff competition from Avondale Heights.
Patrick Bryne's side has been good at restricting some classy opposition to lower scores this season, but do they have poise to hold out Keilor's firepower for all four quarters?
Strathmore has been ruthless since its Good Friday defeat, inflecting heavy defeats on Craigieburn and Glenroy.
Of the 27 players Strathmore have blooded in season 2021, 21 have registered their name on the scoresheet, proving the depth and spread of Matthew Horne's attacking options.
Essendon Doutta Stars' form has wavered since their round one victory and they'd do well to keep this one close.
Greenvale finally has some momentum behind them after securing their first win of the season last week.
They'll be looking for back-to-back wins when Glenroy makes the trip up to Section Road.
Lastly, Pascoe Vale welcomes Craigieburn to Raeburn Reserve.
The Panthers will be hungry for a win after suffering two successive defeats to big Premier Division contenders.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
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AVONDALE HEIGHTS v KEILOR
Saturday 2:15pm at Canning Reserve
GREENVALE v GLENROY
Saturday 2:15pm at Greenvale Recreation Reserve
PASCOE VALE v CRAIGIEBURN
Saturday 2:15pm at Raeburn Reserve
STRATHMORE v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS
Saturday 2:15pm at Lebanon Reserve
MARIBYRNONG PARK v ABERFELDIE
Saturday 2:15pm at Monk Oval
SUNBURY KANGAROOS v WEST COBURG
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Saturday 2:15pm at Eric Boardman Reserve
TAYLORS LAKES v RUPERTSWOOD
Saturday 2:15pm at Lionheart Reserve
HILLSIDE v AIRPORT WEST
Saturday 2:15pm at Hillside Reserve
ROXBURGH PARK v EAST KEILOR
Saturday 2:15pm at Lakeside Oval
TULLAMARINE v WESTMEADOWS
Saturday 2:15pm at Leo Dineen Reserve
COBURG DISTRICTS v NORTHERN SAINTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Cole Reserve
MOONEE VALLEY v OAK PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Ormond Park
HADFIELD v JACANA
Saturday 2:15pm at Martin Reserve
EAST SUNBURY v BURNSIDE HEIGHTS
Saturday 7pm at John McMahon Reserve
Keilor Park has the BYE.
