ANOTHER BIG weekend of TAC Cup footy once again kicks off under lights at Simonds Stadium.
While the Division Two Championships take place in Tasmania on Saturday, the remaining TAC Cup teams (bar Sandringham and Oakleigh whose Round 7 match took place in April) face off with four points up for grabs.
Geelong Falcons take on Calder Cannons down the highway under lights on Friday night.
The Falcons have been a tough opponent outside of Melbourne and Calder will need to be at their best to pull off an unlikely win.
It will be a battle between the two 19-year old forwards Brett Blair (Falcons) and Karl Brown (Cannons) in a match that is likely to see a lot of goals kicked.
The two will be battling it out to be the leading TAC Cup goal kicker by the end of the season, with Brown currently leading on 24 goals, whilst Blair is in third place on 21 goals.
Closer to Melbourne, the Eastern Ranges will be looking to bounce back after a loss to the Bendigo Pioneers last weekend. The Ranges have now lost two in a row, but are expected to easily account for Gippsland Power who still remain winless.
Ranges forward Joshua Begley is one to watch, having kicked 14 goals in three games and will be a crucial match up for Power to stop if they want to ensure they can contain the Ranges.
Power midfielder Kade Renooy had 28 disposals on Sunday against the Dragons and if he once again performs it may give Gippsland a chance to collect a victory.
In the match of the round, fourth placed Murray Bushrangers take on Dandenong Stingrays.
The Bushrangers have a large chunk of their playing list out through the U18 Championships for NSW/ACT and injury which resulted in their first loss of the season last Saturday against the Cannons.
The Stingrays easily accounted for Northern Knights last weekend, thanks to Tom De Koning‘s strong display kicking nine goals.
The undefeated Stingrays look set to continue their unbeaten stretch, taking it to seven games should they account for the understrengthed Bushrangers.
After a heavy defeat to the Stingrays, Northern Knights will be looking to bounce back at home against the improving North Ballarat Rebels.
The Knights have had a disappointing year to date with just a sole win against Tasmania, while the Rebels have won three in a row.
Rebels midfielder Hugh McCluggage continues to perform superbly at TAC Cup level, averaging 28 disposals and is the player the Knights will need to keep an eye on.
The Rebels will be expected to take the four points, solidifying a place in the Top 8.
In the final match of the round, Western Jets will host Bendigo Pioneers.
Both sides have struggled in 2016 and if either team want to push for the Top 8, a win on Sunday is pivotal.
The Pioneers will be without star midfielder Kobe Mutch who is playing for NSW/ACT and a handful of school footballers. If Kayle Kirby can fire inside 50, it will likely give the Pioneers a good chance to collect their third win of the year.
Oscar Junker has returned well from injury for the Jets and will be one of their most important players in the crucial clash.
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