by Rob Popplestone
Which sides will be the first to blink?
That remains the question as pressure on more than a handful of teams continues into the second half of the MGFNL season.
Where in a game of poker, you may be able to bluff your opponent, the game of AFL doesn't allow that strategy. It's what you deliver on a Saturday afternoon that determines what teams deserve the opportunities they earn.
Hill End v Morwell East
There seems to be no respite for some teams. Just when one challenge has been confronted and success has been achieved, the next round presents a hurdle just as big, if not bigger, than the one before.
Hill End did what they needed to do against Yinnar last week, and Morwell East secured victory while killing off Mirboo North's season. But, as they now head into round 11, victory is no less important as the fight for finals positions remains as hot as it's ever been.
The Hawks have been happy in their recent wins knowing that improvement is needed, especially with the team's skill execution.
"We'll need that aspect to be sharp with a run of critical games against those in the top six upcoming," Morwell East coach Devon Soutar said.
For Hill End, a top two spot has always been their target. To hit the spot, they will need to have the Hawks in their sights, and they won't be an easy target to knock over.
However, the win last week has certainly given coach Mike Santo some confidence in what his men are capable of.
"We came out last week playing the best footy we have all year," Santo said. "Our effort was much better and our ball use was terrific."
It is officially finals time in August. But, make no mistake, there are finals-like games now being played every week. This is one of them.
Mirboo North v Thorpdale
The writer, together with many around the league, have been reluctant to make the call on Mirboo North's season because when you least expect it, the Tigers are capable of delivering it.
Surely now, the Tigers are simply making up the numbers after their devastating loss to Morwell East last week.
I'm sure if you did the sums, it might still be mathematically possible. But I've done the work with my calculator and cannot see it happening. In fact, I wouldn't be writing off Thorpdale's chances of adding further pain to Mirboo North's season.
Certainly Blues coach Ray Pickering is hopeful his side can taste success this year.
"Last week against Fish Creek, there were some really good patches but we didn't get reward for effort," Pickering said. "Some good positives to take forward."
The trick now for Thorpdale is to take that effort to the home ground of Mirboo North. It's not an easy task at any time, even when the Tigers appear to be on the ropes.
"The season still isn't over, but it's going to be very tough to make the finals now," Mirboo North coach Josh Taylor said.
A loss this weekend would make it near impossible.
Newborough v Tarwin
A week is a long time in football. But a fortnight must feel like an eternity for a Newborough side looking forward to the challenge of top side Tarwin this weekend.
It's not certain that the Bulldogs expected the Sharks would be beaten the week prior. But, if nothing else, they now know that if a Shark bleeds, you can kill it.
Newborough coach Craig Skinner says the bye had offered a chance to reset.
"We welcome Tarwin to the kennel, so we can test ourselves against the competition's best," he added.
The Sharks may still hold a grip on top position on the ladder but a second loss in a row would certainly have them back to the pack of teams hovering just below.
Tarwin coach Troy Hemming is looking forward to the challenge at the kennel.
The Bulldogs would be well prepared for this clash, most likely having forward scouted them on their bye weekend.
The interesting observation is sure to be whether Tarwin's less than average performance against Boolarra, just a week ago, was just a blemish on what is otherwise an outstanding season, or the start of a crack that now can be opened up by others.
Fish Creek v Stony Creek
Fish Creek would be bullish about their chances of backing up their success of last week over Thorpdale with another victory over this week's opponent Stony Creek.
The Lions, however, are well aware that any chance of a climb into the league's top six is well and truly dependent on a win over their long time rivals.
Kangaroos coach John Danckert, with a win under his belt, has the club heading in the right direction.
"We hope last week's win springboards us into this against an in form side in Stoney Creek," Danckert said.
Just two games from the competition's top six, the Lions have a lot to play for and it's Fish Creek that stand in their way this weekend.
Stony Creek coach Jay Accardi said it was good to get back on the winners' list ahead of heading to Fish Creek for "yet another big match for us".
If the Lions can manage back-to-back wins, they could be just the single game and percentage from the league's top six. This should be incentive enough for Jay and his men to find a way to win.
MDU v Foster
With any chance of finals seemingly gone - or at least unlikely, MDU's celebrations will be reliant on wins like this one.
The Demons are capable on their day of matching it with a premiership hopeful like Foster, but will need to be at their very best.
As the Tigers quietly go about their business, racking up wins and climbing up the ladder, they are now well positioned to pounce on the positions currently held by teams above them.
Foster coach Sam Davies was matter of fact about this week's clash, believing the challenge of MDU on their home deck was bigger than ladder position suggests.
The Demons are 10th, the Tigers fifth, and yet the result is far from straight forward.
MDU feel they can match it with Foster if they bring the effort of last week and maintain it for longer.
"We will bring that effort and pressure again this week against Foster and have a crack at bringing home the four points," MDU coach Peter Harris said.
You just have to love the attitude of the Demons coach as his side prepares to upset the more fancied Foster.
If they can manage to grab the four points, it would also put Foster's finals hopes on thin ice. But, that all said, saying it and doing it are not always the same thing.
Toora v Boolarra
Toora have been kicked, punched and left for dead. Yet every week they dust themselves and get up for more.
This week they face another big time team in Boolarra. The Demons, giant killers after their impressive success over the previously undefeated Tarwin team, have shown enough to suggest they are a legitimate premiership contender.
The question that will be answered this week is whether Boolarra can front up against the bottom team just as they did against the top team. Will they have a ruthless mindset and determination to steamroll over anyone that stands in their way?
Demons coach Tony Giardina has been around long enough to know that players can sometimes get caught up thinking that just turning up will be good enough to get the four points, especially when travelling to take on a winless Toora.
But Magpies coach Matt Ponton suggested last week that he needs more from his team, and is hopeful that this week he will get it.
"Our effort is there, but at this point of the season we need a lot more than effort to win games of football," Ponton said.
This weekend might not be pretty, especially if the weather makes conditions tougher than they should be. One thing more certain than the weather - Toora will make life uncomfortable for the visitors.
Bye: Yinnar