Top Allan Matheson Shield sides have the chance to put themselves all but out of reach in round six

The oft-referred ‘Tally train’ has proven impenetrable and incorrigible — knowing only one way, vociferously forward, with an unblemished record through the first five weeks.

A step back is the usual yang to its yin in the form of Shepparton Golf, which dropped the round one grand final rematch by the barest of margins before resuming usual business and taking its next four, reinforcing credentials in the past fortnight with a pair of huge 37-shot wins.

Already, a 17-point gap exists between second-placed Golf and Shepparton Park in third, with those two set for a pivotal and finals-shaping clash in two weekends’ time before the competition turns for home.

Before we get that far, though, Golf has a local rival to mix it up with on Saturday in a home clash against East Shepparton, a side which has given a comfortable account of itself so far.

The next fortnight is set to be East’s proving ground, matching up with the two most formidable sides in succession, but an evenly-keeled record against the other five outfits — featuring a remarkable draw with Shepparton Park last time out — has demonstrated promise.

Meanwhile, the Redlegs continue on in the pursuit of perfection when they welcome Kyabram to the refurbished Tallygaroopna greens.

The Bombers showed plenty of pluck in the early stages, but seek to correct course after consecutive setbacks at the hands of East and Golf left them at 2-3.

In the west, two sides seeking redemption following sizeable round five defeats collide as Euroa makes the trip up to face Tatura-Hill Top with an invaluable set of points at stake.

Rounding out Saturday’s action, Mooroopna has another chance to make an impact against Shepparton Park in search of a second victory in season 2024-25.

Additionally, this week’s edition of After the Jack welcomed newly-minted Nagambie coach Brad Griffiths into the fold.

Griffiths’ Nagambie outfit sits second in the division two weekend stakes heading into round six and he chronicled the journey that brought him to ply his trade in the Goulburn Valley.

“I was looking at an opportunity to try and coach this year and I’d never come across a club that fit. Right at the last minute I saw Nagambie was still looking for a coach,” Griffiths said.

“When I came down here, I played a few years for Hurstbridge as well as a stint 10 years ago down at Brighton when I was playing in the Premier League down there.

“I’ve been an accredited coach for six years and I was mostly doing one-on-one stuff; this is my first real crack as a head coach of a club.

“The people in the club are actually willing to put their best foot forward, work hard and engage and take everything on board.

“We’re getting more and more belief every week of what we’re capable of and we’ve knocked off a couple of very decent sides so far in tough conditions, so I think we’re turning a few heads throughout the competition.”