By Marcus Uhe
Toomuc Reserve will play host to an intriguing clash between speed and strength, as Pakenham host Gembrook Cockatoo in Outer East Premier Division.
A win for Pakenham will bring it even closer to an even win-loss ledger, while Gembrook Cockatoo will consider themselves entrenched in the contenders spot for a lower seed in the finals equation.
Should Pakenham get the job done at home, it will frank an excellent patch of form of three wins from four outings, with the only loss coming to Wandin.
The Brookers, however, will want to make amends for a shock loss to cellar-dwellers Olinda Ferny Creek.
The trio of key forwards in green may force Ash Green and his coaching staff to have Jordan Stewart play more accountable in defence and not roam as a spare or further afield.
If Pakenham can get the ball on the outside and use their speed through Koby Grass and Bailey Stiles, the bigger bodies of the Brookers will struggle to keep pace.
At Narre Warren, the Magpies will play host to Upwey Tecoma in a high-stakes contest between second and third on the ladder.
In conjunction with the return of Will Howe, who has 17 goals in his last three since injuring his hamstring, the Magpies are back to their high-scoring best in recent weeks, averaging 150 in their last three outings.
The Tigers, by contrast, have lost their last three matches, including a heart-stopper to Pakenham.
Despite this, they sit third on the table with a superior percentage to the sides surrounding them also on three wins.
Olinda Ferny Creek will like their chances of a second win when they host Monbulk, as will Woori Yallock in their trip to Mt Evelyn.
DIVISION ONE
At Starling Road, Emerald will be keen to extend their undefeated streak and spoil a special afternoon for the home side in the process.
A big turnout is expected to celebrate the career of Officer club legend Mick Moylan, who celebrates his 350th game in blue and white.
That won’t be of much interest to the high-flying Bombers, whose focus will be solely be on the four points and maintaining their two-game buffer at the top of Division One.
Emerald will be hoping that last week’s slow start against Belgrave was simply a case of rust coming off a bye, having conceded five goals in the opening term and struggling to break free from the Magpies’ grip until late in the contest.
In stark contrast, Officer will be steaming after succumbing to Healesville, having made the early running.
Emerald’s nearest competitors for top spot, in Berwick Springs and Healesville, both have winnable contests against Hallam and Seville, respectively.
OUTER EAST TIPS
Premier Division: Pakenham v GEMBROOK COCKATOO, NARRE WARREN v Upwey Tecoma, OLINDA FERNY CREEK v Monbulk, Mt Evelyn v WOORI YALLOCK.
Division One: Hallam v BERWICK SPRINGS, Officer v EMERALD, HEALESVILLE v Seville.
