Game of the Week
Diamond Valley (6-4) vs Knox (5-4)
Sunday 3:00pm at Diamond Valley
The Youth league takes on a fascinating new look this weekend as some club's college based stars start to filter their way back into the system. While rumours abounded last week that DV's Ben Allen might be one of those it has yet to come to fruition, but that takes nothing away from the excitement that this match-up should generate.

With five sides equal on four losses a loss here could see one of these sides drop out of the five after the weekend so there is plenty to play for. With Dandenong seemingly unassailable in fourth place almost halfway through the season the ball is fully in play to grab second or third spot and the double chance that comes with that. The winner of this enhances their chances of that significantly.

Werribee (1-7) vs Diamond Valley (6-4)
Saturday 6:00pm at Werribee
While DV might be focused on Sunday's big game they still need to negotiate Werribee here - the Devils in current form should not pose too many problems, especially with their returned College star, Mike Czepil, injured and unable to play this season.

Frankston (4-4) vs Eltham (4-6)
Saturday 8:00pm at Frankston
The Wildcats registered two of their US based stars in Luke Cooper and Troy Sandley this week - which will make an enormous difference to Eltham's unit. It should push them to favouritism here at least.

Dandenong (8-1) vs Nunawading (4-4)
Saturday 6:00pm at Dandenong
Another great top-five match up. The Spectres could do everyone a major favour if they could deliver an upset here but it will be a tall order at the Rangers home venue.

Eltham (4-6) vs Ballarat (4-5)
Sunday 12:15pm at Eltham
If Eltham's new `recruits' make the impact we think they will, then this should be a great game. The Nuggets pushed the Rangers to within three points last week, as close as any side other than DV have got this year.

Kilsyth (4-5) vs Sandringham (4-5)
Sunday 12:30pm at Kilsyth
While Sandringham took a loss last Sunday to DV, we've seen some signs in the last two weeks that their season may have turned - Coach Gavin Meager will desperately want a win against his old club.

Bendigo (5-4) vs Frankston (4-4)
Sunday 2:00pm at Bendigo
Whatever line-up the Braves nominate for this weekend we are not game to tip against them. Their undefeated home record has been defended brilliantly this season and that should continue here.

Youth League Women

Game of the Week
Dandenong (10-0) vs Hume City (8-2)
Saturday 6:00pm at Dandenong
Two heady clashes make for a fascinating weekend at the top of the ladder as the Rangers (1st) take on Hume (3rd) at home and Nunawading (2nd) take on Eltham (4th). Both are great games in the making and will give us our best indications yet of our likely grand finalists.

Hume City are the side right now that have something to say. At the half way mark they have only logged one win against a top five side, a round five win over Eltham and have lost encounters to both Kilsyth and the Spectres. They have a heady second half ahead. A win here would firmly establish their credentials.

Frankston (1-7) vs Coburg (0-8)
Saturday 6:00pm at Frankston
This Blues side has been performing very well in recent weeks against top sides and should have little trouble here in shrugging off a win-less Coburg.

Bulleen (4-6) vs Sandringham (0-8)
Saturday 6:00pm at Templestowe
The Sabres are also without a win but have proved tougher opposition in recent weeks as they have brought back some of their ABA bench - this will be no easy ride for the Boomers if that is the case here.

Nunawading (8-1) vs Eltham (7-3)
Saturday 8:00pm at Nunawading
The second match up from within the top four for the night and it promises plenty. While there is little chance of the Spectres being dislodged from second place an additional loss will place them under some pressure in future weeks.

Frankston (1-7) vs Knox (5-4)
Sunday 12:00pm at Frankston
By far the tougher of their two home encounters for the weekend, the Blues could well spring an upset here if they can reproduce some of their recent form. Knox certainly still in contention but having fallen off the pace a little.

Waverley (1-7) vs Sandringham (0-8)
Sunday 12:00pm at Waverley
Both sides have been far more competitive in recent weeks so this makes for a close game here. Waverley would be favoured at home to take their second win of the year.

Coburg (0-8) vs Kilsyth (5-3)
Sunday 1:00pm at Coburg
While the top four slog it out Kilsyth are well placed to move up a notch with an almost certain win beckoning here. If Eltham slip and Kilsyth take advantage of their light weekend, then they will close out the weekend fourth or potentially third.

Youth League 2 Men

Game of the Week
Waverley (3-5) vs Ringwood (3-5)
Saturday 6:00pm at Waverley

While the top three in this competition seems set, the battle for the fourth spot on the ladder hots up this week with seemingly as many as four teams, Coburg, Ringwood, Waverley and Whittlesea lining up for a genuine shot. In this group Coburg, the incumbent and still with a positive win/loss record have had some disruption, while Whittlesea have fallen off the pace after a great start.

That leaves this pair. Ringwood have a double weekend and could finish the round with a 50% win/loss record, the first time they would have been anywhere near that this season. Waverley have just this encounter for the weekend and their improved form will be tested here, with the somewhat inconsistent Hawks having more size and bulk than them. While neither is likely to displace Coburg here, a win in this match-up makes that more than possible in the next round or two.

Sherbrooke (6-1) vs Whittlesea (3-5)
Saturday 5:30pm at Monbulk

While the Suns club continues to be rattled by major injuries to their senior team, and that could draw some talent out of this game, current form suggests the Pacers will struggle at the Jam Factory in this match-up.

Coburg (5-3) vs Bulleen (1-6)
Saturday 6:00pm at Coburg
The Boomers are another wrestling injury and form problems in a big way, to the extend that Coach Nick Austin was forced to register this week a precaution. They should not pose a huge problem to the Giants.

Hume City (2-6) vs Melbourne (6-2)
Sunday 12:00pm at Broadmeadows
A stronger Hume City side has been threatening to break the shackles in recent weeks and do some damage on the ladder. If Kane Clifford can match last week's marvellous form and Sianidis and get back on the top scorers list they could spring an upset here.

Geelong (7-0) vs Coburg (5-3)
Sunday 12:45pm at the Arena
Returning home after a couple of big wins on the road most punters would be backing the Cats here for a big win. Coburg likely to struggle after a home match-up Saturday.

Latrobe City (2-5) vs Ringwood (3-5)
Sunday 2:00pm at Traralgon
The Energy are another side that have fallen away despite some excellent form early in the season, with their side disrupted by the demands of the Pacers, but they fielded a more settled line-up last week and should be at full strength here which could test Ringwood.