Lions have eyes on top spot as top six set to clash in big Riverina League round

The Lions (8-1) will vie with Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes for top spot, with the minor premiers only needing to win one of two finals to book a grand final spot.

GGGM face a challenging road trip to sixth-placed Turvey Park (4-5) on Saturday, who are coming off a tight win over Coolamon and looking to break into the top five for the first time.

In other matches this weekend a surging Collingullie-Glenfield Park (5-4) have a chance to draw level with faltering Coolamon (6-3) when they host the Hoppers at Crossroads Oval.

The unbeaten Goannas host the fourth-placed Tigers (5-4), while strugglers Leeton-Whitton and Griffith meet at Leeton Showgrounds.

GGGM have a superior percentage to MCUE, which means top spot could come down to when they meet again in round 14 at Ganmain.

After two weeks off due to competition and club byes, the Lions thrashed Narrandera last week but know they're stepping up a class at Maher Oval on Saturday.

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"Turvey at home is another step up in the challenge they present, we know they're a vastly improved side from last time (87-point win in round two)," Martyn said.

"Zocc (Bulldogs coach Michael Mazzocchi) is a really good football coach and I'm sure he wouldn't have been happy with the way they presented themselves last time. Those losses build some fire in the belly and you want to avenge that the next time you play them.

"Our sights are firmly set on that number one spot. We learned a lot of lessons from that Mango game (49-point loss in round five), we're really looking forward to playing them again and rectifying the wrongs of that game.

"We're set on finishing first and earning that bye (in first week of finals), we'll be doing everything we can to do that and that means playing our strongest side to the very end."

The Lions may be without a few key players with forward George Alexander (foot) not expected to play for at least this week, while midfielder Tom Anderson is touch and go with a knee injury.

Melbourne-based player Kirk Mahon has also signalled his intention not to travel until the COVID situation eases.

Lions youngster Jakob Taylor has been forced to spend 14 days in isolation after playing a school lawn bowls tournament in a Sydney area subsequently declared a COVID hotspot.

Turvey Park ruckman Shaun Allan is only a 50-50 chance at best of playing after missing the past three weeks with a knee issue, while Tom Yates will be unavailable for the next two games.

"To be honest they're probably the best team we've played. Mango beat us but Ganmain was the one team who really got hold of us," Mazzocchi said.

COLLINGULLIE-GLENFIELD PARK (fifth, 5-4) v COOLAMON (third, 6-3) at Crossroads Oval: The Demons are looking for a fifth win in six matches and can draw level with Coolamon on the ladder, while the Hoppers are looking to rebound from losses to the Lions and Bulldogs.

MCUE (first, 8-0) v WAGGA TIGERS (fourth, 5-4) at Mangoplah Sportsground: A loss for the Tigers could see them slip out of the top five, but a win could draw them level with third-placed Coolamon. The Goannas are looking to stave off GGGM for top spot.

TURVEY PARK (sixth, 4-5) v GGGM (second, 8-1) at Maher Oval: A third straight win for the Bulldogs would likely catapult them into the top five, while the Lions need to keep winning to keep their top spot hopes alive.

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