Geelong Falcons vs Gippsland Power

Both the Falcons and Power have shown signs of being up there at the end of the season with critical wins over fellow country teams, North Ballarat Rebels and Dandenong Stingrays respectively.

Last week both suffered losses against the Stingrays and Murray Bushrangers, but will be keen to bounce back at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Once again, the sides will be without their top stars with Darcy Parish and Rhys Mathieson (Geelong) and Sam Skinner and Josh Dunkley (Gippsland) missing.

This game will be decided by which of the second tier players stand up and therefore the Falcons should go in favourites.

It would not be a surprise for the Power to win however, because this game could very well go down to the wire.

North Ballarat Rebels vs Murray Bushrangers

It is a shame onlookers will not be able to see stars Darcy Tucker, Jacob Hopper and Josh Schache in action, but this game should nonetheless be the one to watch.

Arguably the two strongest country teams (which is a pretty impressive title in itself), it will be decided in the midfield as both sides don’t have a dominant forward in this game.

The Rebels defence has worked really well so far this season and expect that to continue, but Murray’s ball movement has also been a refreshing sight.

Murray are undefeated and will no doubt go in favourites, but the Rebels have been ultra impressive, even in their loss to the Falcons, so that is why the tip will swing to them.

Bendigo Pioneers vs Dandenong Stingrays

In these triple headers there’s always a one-sided game and unfortunately this looks to be it.

Bendigo improved last week on it’s horrible first up match against the Bushrangers, but it still a fair way to go.

There are plenty of willing players, but lack the class of some of the other clubs.

Missing their AIS boys Tom Cole an Aidyn Johnson will hurt too.

While Dandenong are also missing two talents in Jacob Weitering and Kieran Collins, they will be strong favourites in this clash and are expected to get the job done rather easily.

Bendigo are playing at their true home ground in front of what should be a large crowd under lights.

Everyone will be hoping for a contest and the TAC Cup has thrown up stranger results in the past.

One cannot go past Dandenong in this match however.

Sandringham Dragons vs Oakleigh Chargers

It is a funny sight to see two metropolitan teams playing in what is traditionally a country round, but that is the case for this Sunday’s game at Trevor Barker Oval.

One of the best venues to enjoy football at in the TAC Cup, the Dragons will be desperate to put a dent in the Chargers armour.

Unlike the other top teams, Oakleigh does not have that star gun midfielder or towering key forward likely to tear a game apart.

What the Chargers do have are a team committed to the cause willing to tackle and chase and do everything possible to get the four points.

Sandringham have looked mediocre at times and could well be that team that falls into the eight but does not do a lot of damage.

They have a few names capable of pulling out performances, but the depth in the Oakleigh side runs deep and it should be successful to make it four wins from as many matches.