THE Daily Advertiser sports journalists Simon Brunsdon and Matt Malone caught up "at the bar" to discuss the hot topics in the local football world.

Simon: It was another cracking weekend in the Farrer League and RFL competitions Matty. You can feel the momentum building towards finals.

Matt: The RFL was pretty stock standard but a couple of interesting results in the Farrer League. Now a three horse race between Temora, Coleambally and EWK?

SB: You are keen to write Marrar off, aren't you? I still think the Bombers will be there at the pointy end...still capable of beating good teams. North Wagga was possibly found out against EWK in a 10-goal result, though.

MM: I'm just keen to cash in my ticket for EWK at $7. Marrar has kicked 12 goals in its past 10 quarters of footy. No thanks.

SB: I'll keep my money in my pocket until 4.30pm on September 13.

MM: I look forward to it. You could have got me on last week's tribunal verdict. I coudn't believe Greg Aki got two games for his shepherd.

SB: I know you Tweeted about the incident when it happened - a "good old fashioned shirt front". The part I don't understand is how Aki gets two weeks when CAK actually defended him at the tribunal?

MM: From what I saw, it wasn't high, it was within five metres of the ball and there was no malice involved. Witnesses from both CAK and Coolamon said the same. Even young Tom Byrnes said it didn't get him high. I feel for Greg Aki.

SB: You have to wonder about the process used by the tribunal in that case. Would video footage have been the answer? I know Temora provided footage of Chris Block's rough conduct charge and he still got one week. Footage used in the Andrew Higginson-Chris Jackson case during last year's finals was also used but was pretty inconclusive.

MM: The tribunal are in a tough spot I suppose trying to work out one person's version of the truth against the other. I think video footage would be a step in the right direction. All Group Nine games are videoed, same with the Ovens and Murray. Costly yes, but ultimately worth it. I'd hate to see the Greg Aki result happen in a finals series.

SB: TRYC coach Dave Pieper voiced his support of Farrer League games being recorded following Dennis Pedemont's initial three-week suspension. The cost would be shared between clubs and AFL Riverina, I suppose. Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

MM: Apparently clubs didn't show much interest in filming games at a recent meeting. If you asked the coaches, they would be all for it. Some clubs would get more out of the video than they do out of their paid players. And at much less cost!

SB: Video wouldn't help in every case (again, the Higginson v Jackson hearing of 2013) but it would certainly ease some of the pressure on the tribunal in most cases. In the end a lot of it will still come down to the reports from umpires and players.

MM: Which is always going to be an issue. The tribunal does a good job in most cases. Greg Aki and Pat Noonan, from a couple of years ago, are two howlers that stick with me. Although you always remember the bad ones. Are the rumours true, are you actually leaving the postcode of 2650 on Saturday?

SB: Yes, for the sixth time in 13 rounds I am headed out of Wagga. Off to see the kind folk of Temora. The Roos are out to get one back on EWK. What's the RFL blockbuster?

MM: Marrar and The Rock hardly count of getting out of Wagga. Should be a cracking game though. The winner there has premiership favouritism for mine. A top-three finish is on the line at Kindra Park on Sunday. Coolamon take on Wagga Tigers, who have been quietly flying under the radar.

SB: If Marrar and The Rock don't count, neither should Coolamon, Mango or Collingullie! And I still rate Coleambally slightly above EWK at this stage...Saturday could influence me otherwise.

MM: The Hawks are the sleeping giant. Bit like the Hoppers in the RFL. An interesting weekend ahead. Enjoy the trip to Temora, don't get lost.

SB: There's not many pubs in between Wagga and Temora, not likely to deviate course. I think I'll be fine.