by Davyd Reid
A clash between finals hopefuls Trafalgar and Ellinbank headlines round four of Ellinbank District football.
Both sides currently sit outside the top five, mainly by virtue of the draw, and will be looking to secure the result as they push towards another top five finish.
Both clubs have perennially appeared in finals in recent seasons but failed to progress deep, something they will be aiming to change this season.
Ellinbank enter on winning form, having comfortably accounted for Yarragon last week after opening its season with a loss to the reigning premier.
Trafalgar have mixed form, a gritty win over Poowong punctuated by losses to the much-improved Lang Lang and 2023 grand finalist Neerim-Neerim South.
Home ground advantage may just tip it in favour of the Bloods in a contest that could go either way.
LONGWARRY will aim to bounce back when they host Poowong.
The Crows lost in last week's top of the table clash but were far from disgraced.
This match against 2023 finalists is set to give a good indication of how far the Crows may rise this season.
After opening losses to Yarragon and Trafalgar, the Magpies will hope last week's win over Nyora is the beginning of getting back on track.
Poowong currently sit outside the five on percentage and will be hoping to pinch a result against fancied opposition to keep in touch.
OTHER matches will see sides start with clear favouritism, with Buln Buln travelling to Yarragon fresh off the bye.
The Lyrebirds headed into the break with wins over challenging opposition in Neerim-Neerim South and Ellinbank, and will be expected to continue their winning ways here.
The Panthers made a strong start to the season with a victory over Poowong before a drop off in form.
They'll be hoping to turn that around to mount a challenge to the reigning premier.
LANG LANG will also look to maintain its unbeaten start when they travel to take on Catani.
The Tigers enter the contest in good form, doing what is required to get the job done each week.
For the Blues it has been a difficult start to the season, comfortably accounted for by Longwarry and Nilma-Darnum.
The Blues struggled to find avenues to goal last week and will need to improve in this area if they are to challenge the Tigers.
NEERIM-NEERIM SOUTH will look for a percentage boost when they travel to take on Nyora.
The Cats currently sit mid-table and will hope they can take advantage of a struggling Saints outfit to post a big score to improve their percentage of 127.
Having conceded big scores against Nilma-Darnum and Lang Lang in the opening rounds, the Saints improved defensively last week but still conceded 91 points.
NILMA-DARNUM have the bye.