It's round six of the Gippsland League and the credentials of the top contenders are about to be tested in what promises to be a scintillating week of footy. Here's how this week's games are looking.
Saturday May 14
Drouin vs Bairnsdale
Time: 2:20pm
Location: Drouin Recreation Reserve
Drouin are back at home this week as find themselves with a golden opportunity to claim their second win of the season against Bairnsdale.
The Hawks appear to be showing significant signs of improvement since their disastrous first two weeks, as they have shown themselves to be capable of brilliant footy in bursts but lacking the experience necessary to do it for longer periods of time.
Their loss last week against Sale was a perfect example of this, as at various times the young Hawks appeared to be right on top of their opponents but just couldn't keep it up for long enough.
They won't have many better chances to show off their improvement than this week, as they face a Bairnsdale side still searching for their first win.
The Redlegs started the year in competitive enough fashion, but injuries have meant they haven't been able to put their best team on the park for the last few weeks, with their poor results reflecting this.
Adding to Bairnsdale's issues is the fact that they haven't won at Drouin since 2017, though given the different make-up of the Hawks this year that may not be as intimidating a factor as it once was.
Both of these teams will be desperate to win here, but it's hard not to back Drouin in given the home ground advantage and the troops the Redlegs are missing.
Leongatha vs Warragul
Time: 2:20pm
Location: Leongatha Recreation Reserve
Fresh off their first win of the season last week, Warragul is up and about but will have to bring their absolute best if they want to knock off Leongatha.
The Gulls have now repeatedly showed the league their best footy can match it with the top sides, but it is now an issue of whether they can do it every week and for long enough.
Their intensity and pressure on the ball was outstanding in wet and blustery conditions against Traralgon last round, and there will be no room for error as they face the toughest test in the Gippsland League, that being an away game against Leongatha.
The Parrots have been their usual immaculate selves this year as they are yet to drop a game, and haven't even looked like doing so since all the way back in round one.
Two things will give the Gulls some reason to believe, however, those being that the one side to push the Parrots this year was Traralgon, the team Warragul beat last year, and also the fact that Warragul actually managed to beat Leongatha the last time they played them away.
That game was one of the biggest upsets in the league's recent history, and Warragul will have to stick to the task at all times if they want to cause a repeat.
Leongatha will enter this game as clear favourites, but if the Gulls can show a similar spirit to what they displayed last week they may just be up for the fight.
Maffra vs Morwell
Time: 2:20pm
Location: Maffra Recreation Reserve
Maffra's season is in a bit of a freefall and they will be very keen to arrest their slide this week against Morwell.
Having started the year with two big wins it appeared the dominant Maffra of old were back, but this proved to be fleeting as three straight losses to finals contenders has seen them slip to sixth on the table.
The Eagles set out this year to show their leaner 2021 was just an aberration, but it would appear that their reign at the top may have come to an end, as they've begun playing some talented junior players they hope will develop into the core of their next premiership team.
The Tigers, meanwhile, are sporting their own assortment of talented youth, and will be eyeing this match-up as one they could potentially steal, as they've had more luck than most at Maffra's home ground in recent times.
While most teams have struggled to take the four points home from Maffra, Morwell have been an exception to the rule as they've won four of the two clubs' last eight clashes at the ground.
Maffra should still be favoured to win this one, but if they don't the alarm bells will well and truly be ringing.
Moe vs Sale
Time: 2:20pm
Location: Maffra Recreation Reserve
Moe are one of the only two undefeated teams left in the league, and that status will face another test this week against Sale.
The Lions appear to be one of the top contenders, having seen off every challenger that's come their way so far, led by star goalkicker Harry Pepper and brilliant full-back Declan Keilty.
A tight one-point win two weeks ago against Traralgon was the first time Moe appeared vulnerable, but they'll be wary of any complacency this week against Sale.
The Magpies have reversed their fortunes this season, as they've won their last three games to find themselves back in the hunt for a finals spot.
Sale's list boasts some incredible talent but even still their form has been patchy, as they haven't been able to play their best footy for any extended period of time.
The Magpies will need their best if they want to win the four points in this one, especially on Moe's home ground.
Moe have won the last two matches between the two sides, which is the first time they've won successive matches against Sale since 2002.
They will enter this game confident they can make it three in a row, but Sale will be very keen to spoil the party.
Traralgon vs Wonthaggi
Time: 2:20pm
Location: Traralgon Showgrounds
Traralgon finally returns to their home ground as they meet Wonthaggi in what will be a good barometer for where these sides both sit this year.
The Maroons will be hurting after going down to Warragul last week in a match they would have entered with plenty of confidence.
As it stands they are fifth on the table with two wins, but are a much better team than that would indicate.
Still, losing to Warragul was less than ideal and they will be very keen to bounce back as they get to play their first real home game of the season after the Traralgon facilities were damaged by floods last year.
It won't be easy, though, against Wonthaggi, who have settled in nicely this season to find themselves third on the table behind the two undefeated sides.
The Power, who were widely tipped as premiership contenders in the pre-season, will provide a good test for the Maroons to see exactly where they sit a third of the way through the home-and-away season.
Wonthaggi will be boosted by the return of player-coach Jarryd Blair, whose leadership will only bolster a team already stacked with experienced players.
Matches between the two have often proved to be dour affairs recently, with the winning team having not scored more than eleven goals in their last six games.
Picking a winner in this one is very difficult, but the one certainty is we are about to find out a lot about these two and what their fortunes might be in 2022.