A GRAND final rematch kicks off Round 3 of the TAC Cup, in what should be an entertaining round.

In a seldom, but enjoyable night match, Eastern Ranges will host Oakleigh Chargers in a bid to sought revenge on their conquerer in last year’s grand final. The two teams have not been short of success in recent years, with Oakleigh winning three of the past four flags, with the Ranges taking out the premiership in 2013.

In 2016, Eastern appears to have the upperhand, having won both its matches, while Oakleigh has won two of its three matches, bouncing back with strong wins over Northern Knights and Sandringham Dragons after a disappointing loss to Western Jets in Round 1.

Ranges midfielder Dylan Clarke is one to watch in this clash, averaging 29.5 disposals,five marks, six tackles and a goal per game and is the leading disposal winner in the TAC Cup. For Oakleigh Chargers, bottom-ager Jack Higgins is one who has impressed in season 2016, but he, like many of his teammates, will not be out there due to APS football commitments. The midfielder/forward is ultra-dangerous around goals and looks set to be a top 10 pick in 2017 with a strong season this year. One player who has impressed and will be out there is Lachlan Walker, who is averaging more than 20 disposals, seven marks and three tackles per game.

In the next match of the round, Western Jets hosts Sandringham Dragons at Burbank Oval. The Jets were sensational in their opening match against Oakleigh Chargers, but were brought back to earth in round two after a belting to Eastern Ranges. The Dragons have knocked off the Knights and Calder Cannons, but were beaten by the Chargers last week.

Western Jets’ Daniel Foley will be man to step up in the absence of higher profile teammates, having averaged 23 disposals and 5.5 marks off the half-back flank. In the absence of the star studded trio of Dragons midfielders (Will Setterfield, Tim Taranto and Andrew McGrath), overager Goy Lock will be called upon to stand up after a strong start to the season. After missing out on being drafted last year, Lock had 18 disposals, seven marks and three tackles in the opening match against the Knights.

Northern Knights welcome Queensland for the division two sides’ first match of the 2016 TAC Cup season, with the former having not yet won a match from its two starts. Missing a number of ball winning midfielders, the Knights will look to Marcus Lentini, who had 25 disposals, four marks, one tackle and a goal in his sole performance so far, while Patrick Lipinski has kicked four goals this season from his 13 disposals and 5.5 marks to lead the Knights’ goal kicking. Queensland also have a few top liners out with no Jack Bowes or Bradley Scheer, but recruiters will keep a close eye on medium midfielder Curtis Marsden, who is a likely prospect and a member of Gold Coast’s academy.

Calder Cannons are yet to kick-start their season with two losses from as many games in 2016. This week the Cannons face NSW/ACT Rams and have a real chance of coming away with victory. Among the ones to watch for the Cannons are Tyson Lever, brother of Adelaide’s Jake, who has impressed so far this season, averaging 21.5 disposals, four marks and 6.5 tackles off the half-back line, and over-ager towering forward Karl Brown, who has booted five goals and will be one of the contenders for the leading goal kicker award this season.

For NSW-ACT, while the likes of Kobe Mutch and Harrison Macreadie are unavailable for the Rams, the forcus will shift to medium utility Thomas Highmore, who has been named on the half-black flank. Another one to watch is Connor Owen-Auburn, both he and Highmore are from the GWS Academy, with the small midfielder named on the extended bench.

Heading down the highway, Geelong Falcons are hosting Gippsland Power at Simonds Stadium. The Falcons were humbled by the Murray Bushrangers in round two, after defeating the North Ballarat Rebels in the opening round. The Gippsland Power are yet to win a game after a disappointing performance against the Bendigo Pioneers and a close loss to the Dandenong Stingrays at home.

For the Falcons, keep an eye out for over-agers Brett Blair and Max Augerinos, the latter is playing his first full season since doing his knee in the 2014 finals series and missing most of his eligible draft year. He has stood out so far, averaging 24.5 disposals, 3.5 marks and four tackles. Blair is a goal kicking machine and has already booted eight goals from his two matches. Gippsland Power will look to Kade Renooy to stand up in the absence of first round pick Ben Ainsworth, with Renooy having averaged 21 disposals, 5.5 marks, two tackles and kicked three goals so far in 2016.

A much improved Bendigo Pioneers will take to Shepley Oval to face an unbeaten Dandenong Stingrays in the next Sunday game. Both sides have defeated Gippsland Power, with the Pioneers the more impressive, yet were humiliated in the opening round against the Murray Bushrangers.

This week, the Pioneers will look to leaders Kobe Mutch and Joe Atley to lead the way, with the former producing a 29 disposal, three mark and five tackles game in the opening round. Atley has managed 19.5 disposals, two marks and five tackles, however the team will be missing some keys up forward with leading goal kickers Kayle Kirby and Brent Daniels, who have booted 10 goals between them. The Stingrays are also missing firepower with top prospect Josh Battle not playing, however, Myles Poholke will lead the midfield and provide a great battle within the game with Mutch, having finished with 28 disposals and four marks in his only game this season.

In the final match of the round, the all-conquering Murray Bushrangers take on the North Ballarat Rebels. Both sides were ultra impressive last season, with the Bushrangers carrying on the form in 2016, with thumping wins over Bendigo and Geelong. The Rebels fell short against the Falcons and then lost to the Stingrays in round two, so will be seasrching for their first win this season.

With no Will Brodie or Jy Simpkin, the Bushrangers will be slightly below strength, however key forward Zach Sproule will be one to keep an eye on to split the big sticks. Louis Pinnuck is another Bushranger who has impressed from his two games, averaging 18 disposals, 3.5 marks, 5.5 tackles and having kicked two goals. The Rebels on the otherhand appear to be close to full strength with Jarrod Korewha and Jarrod Berry the two names that stick out in draft calculations. Neither has set the world on fire so far, but both have the potential to be very high prospects. One player who has impressed for the Rebels is Hugh McCluggage, who has averaged 20 disposals, two marks, three tackles and kicked four goals from the two losses.