Darby said there were doubts over whether the Bloods could stand up to physical and scoreboard pressure because they had not yet been challenged this season, with most of their matches over by half time.

He hinted Yinnar would play hard-hitting football to worry the Bloods players out of the one-on-one contests.

``From what I understand from other coaches and players that have seen them, Traf's obviously quite fit but they don't look good under physical pressure,'' he said.

``We're one of the best in the league when it comes to the physical side of things and attacking the footy so if we play our brand of footy and put physical and scoreboard pressure on them it will be interesting to see how they respond.''

Trafalgar coach Dave Dawson defended the Bloods' hardness and cited their seven goal opening quarter last weekend against Yarragon as an example they could stand up to physical pressure.

He said the Bloods were prepared for the Pies' physical brand of footy.

``We've had a couple of sides try to attack us physically and hit us hard early with things going on off the ball but it hasn't worked, we've just gone about our job and won,'' Dawson said of the Panthers match.

``We expect Yinnar will try to touch us up a bit early but our guys have been standing up to that physical pressure and they'll be up to it again.''

Darby's comments about the Bloods are expected to add extra interest to the highly anticipated top of the table clash.

The Magpies coach went on to say Trafalgar had not been challenged on the scoreboard since last year's semi final against Newborough.

``They capitulated then, they fell apart as soon as Newborough got within five goals of them,'' he said.

``They haven't been tested this year and the reality is, they've got the same bunch of blokes as last year in that final.''

Meanwhile Darby faces serious headaches at the selection table tonight, with Lee Clarke, Cameron Harwood, Jason Sharp, Lachlan Burslem and Daniel Webster all expected to be available to come back into the line-up.

The question will be: who to drop from an unbeaten side?

With Brad Knowles back last week, forwards Brendan Holt and Brayden Wilson finding the sticks, and solid form shown by Tom McQualter, Jim Dowling, Sam Mills and Mark Knox, the Pies will boast a potent team for the big match.

``This week has been our first week with a majority of guys on the track,'' Darby said.

For the Bloods, goal kicker Brendan Dawson was out injured last weekend but may be back on Saturday, allowing Traf to continue to field a side close to full strength.

Dave Dawson believes the Bloods will have a height advantage over the Magpies, with talls Tim Keily, Luke Bryant and Chris Dehaas in good form.

However he admitted potential wet weather on Saturday may not suit the Bloods.

``I'd like to think we've got some more big blokes and that might be where it's decided but (the result) will probably come from the midfield,'' he said.

``I've said to the players it's not the end of the world if we lose, I think we'll be seeing them (Yinnar) a couple of more times this year.''

Panthers to rebound

YARRAGON will enter Saturday's match against Boolarra buoyed by a positive second half performance when it outscored Trafalgar last weekend.

The Panthers suffered heavy losses in the last fortnight against Yinnar and Trafalgar after ending their long Newborough hoodoo.

Ben Damschke was impressive in his Yarragon debut last weekend and James Moyes made a welcome return to the side.

Boolarra finished off well against Newborough last weekend after being challenged in the second term and won its fourth match of the season.

After this weekend the Demons face a massive test in rounds eight and nine when they play league heavyweights Trafalgar and Yinnar.

Home ground advantage may be a factor in what will be a very even game and the Panthers will sneak home by a couple of goals.

Battle of the Bridge

RIVALS Yallourn/Yallourn North and Newborough will play for the TRUenergy Yallourn Cup in a match the clubs have labelled the `Battle of the Bridge'.

The cup is awarded to the club with the most amount of wins across the board in football and netball.

YYN has a good chance to end its run of losses against the Bulldogs stretching back to 2003.

Despite contrasting ladder positions in the last few years, the two sides have had some great recent battles, with the margins in their last four matches five, one, seven and 17 points the Bulldogs' way.

The Bombers are one of the in-form teams at the moment and with a run of wins, can consolidate a top five position in the next two weeks.

Bombers' fans have been treated to some heart-stopping encounters this season and the match against the Bulldogs is again likely to go down to the wire.