GLENTHOMPSON-DUNKELD faces its toughest challenge of the Mininera and District Football League (MDFL) season today when it travels to Tatyoon Recreation Reserve seeking to inflict the first defeat of the season on ladder leader, Tatyoon.

The Rams have losing form coming into the contest, having lost their last two matches comfortably after starting the season with four victories, but an upset is always possible, and the team must believe they can win.

With the Woods brothers, DJ and Jezza, in great form and gaining support from Matthew Lowe, Calvin Ross and Ben Cole, the Rams have the strike power to match the Hawks, who have been far from convincing in their winning streak.

The Rams have an advantageous draw for the remaining home and away games, and they should feature in the finals but how far they advance into the post season remains to be seen, with today’s match-up set to give a clear indication of where Glenthompson-Dunkeld sit on the MDFL pecking order.

Other games

HAWKESDALE-MACARTHUR and Great Western will meet at Macarthur Recreation Reserve in a clash that features two teams that won convincingly last week.

The Eagles defeated a fired-up Moyston-Willaura, who had the services of Kane Cornes for the afternoon, in a display that saw the visitors back to the form they displayed at the start of the campaign, while the Lions thrashed Caramut to set up this tantalising clash which will see the victors stay in contact with a finals chance.

PENSHURST should get back on the winners list in its game against the Swans at Caramut Recreation Reserve, where the Bombers are expected to build their percentage against the cellar dwellers.

ARARAT Eagles will travel to the Mininera Recreation Reserve for its game against SMW Rovers, knowing victory will see the Eagles cement its spot in the top four, but can ill afford to take the Bulldogs lightly or they will quickly suffer for any arrogance.

WICKLIFFE-LAKE BOLAC will retain its hold on the second rung of the ladder against Lismore-Derrinallum at Lake Bolac Recreation Reserve, with the expected victory possibly moving the Magpies to top spot should Tatyoon falter.

WOORNDOO-MORTLAKE should account for Moyston-Willaura at Woorndoo Recreation Reserve in a percentage-boosting win.

PENSHURST travels to Caramut Recreation Reserve today for its Mininera and District Netball Association round seven clash against a host that will force the Bombers to be on their game for the full four quarters, as they seek to open a two-game gap on the premiership ladder over the Swans.

Currently, Penshurst is in fifth spot, having won four of its six games, while Caramut is two rungs and a game behind in seventh.

The Bombers will be fresh for the game after having the round off last weekend due to a bye, while Caramut posted a tense four-goal win after staving off a resurgent Great Western in the second half.

Penshurst has a game plan that has served it well in the opening third of the season and the Swans can expect the Bombers not to stray from it.

Other games

GLENTHOMPSON-DUNKELD must summit its Everest today when it travels to Tatyoon Recreation Reserve to battle the undefeated ladder leaders in a David and Goliath encounter.

The Rams are holding up the rest of the competition in last place on the premiership ladder and will go in as heavy underdogs for the clash.

HAWKESDALE-MACARTHUR hosts Great Western at Macarthur Recreation Reserve and is expected to take the points on offer easily against the Lions.

The Eagles have only lost one game to date this season, while the Lions have only won one game in the same period, and despite making Caramut fight for its four-goal victory last Saturday, the visitors will struggle in the step up in class against the Lions.

ARARAT Eagles haven’t lost a game after its first-round defeat at the hands of Tatyoon, as it enters the Mininera Recreation Reserve meeting with home side SMW Rovers expecting to maintain the winning streak.

The Eagles are equal with Lismore-Derrinallum and Hawkesdale-Macarthur on five wins, but a superior percentage has them perched on the second rung of the ladder, while the Bulldogs are winless in their last two games.

WOORNDOO-MORTLAKE will have no problem staying in touch with the top five, should they record a victory against the lowly Moyston-Willaura sde at Woorndoo Recreation Reserve.

The Tigers have lost two of their last three games as the side hit a speedhump, but with the visitors yet to win a game on the court, the home side will be back on the winners list.