by Davyd Reid
One of the big improvers of the season 2025 off-season will meet a recent perennial finalist to headline round three of Ellinbank District football.
Trafalgar and Neerim-Neerim South both scored big wins in the opening rounds to set up an early top-of-the-table-clash as the competition resumes following a break for Easter.
Focus now shifts to the Anzac round, with pre-game ceremonies to occur at many grounds.
Having both conceded the least number of points across the opening rounds, it sets up an intriguing contest.
While the Cats have a strong forward line on paper, it's Trafalgar who have been scoring most freely to set up an early whopping percentage of 900.
With both sides boasting strength across the field, this contest is tipped to go either way.

NILMA-DARNUM will be hoping for a change in fortunes when they host fifth-placed Ellinbank.
Having improved to a mid-table position at the close of season 2024, the Bombers have endured a difficult opening two rounds against the competition's current front runners.
The challenge doesn't get any easier as they look to climb from their current bottom of the ladder position.
The Ellinbank side look finals bound again and are tipped to get the job done in this one.

CATANI enter the round inside the top five, with the question of how long they can stay there yet to be answered.
Their opponent Yarragon form part of a mid-table pack looking to take their spot, with the Panthers hoping to collect the points to move another step closer.

BULN BULN will look for some needed confidence when they host the lowly Bunyip.
The Lyrebirds fall at the bottom of the mid-table pack chasing the lower reaches of the five, having endured difficult match-ups to Ellinbank and Neerim-Neerim South.
This clash should see Buln Buln open its account and make up some valuable percentage.

LANG LANG will also look to finish the round about the mark when they travel to take on Nyora.
Having opened their account with a close loss to Longwarry and hard fought victory over Yarragon, the Tigers will also look to gain confidence with a comfortable win.

THE winless Poowong face another challenge when they host a Longwarry side in strong form.
The Crows will look to continue the strong form that saw them run out big winner over Nilma-Darnum before the break.
Key to the Magpies' prospects will be negating the input of Longwarry's small forwards, Braydon McHugh and Jason Wells finishing with 17 goals between them in their big round two win.