The O and M looking for close games after seven lopsided results

The league has received justified criticism in recent years for its lopsided nature, with an average winning margin for last year's home and away season of 63 points.

After seven games, it's 86, with Corowa-Rutherglen's 51-point loss to Yarrawonga on Saturday the closest.

And that's why round two is so important.

Of the five games, you could make an argument that three will be within five goals.

Lavington hosts Albury in the match of the round, under lights.

Lavington has won both its games, remembering the two season openers (Lavington-North Albury, Wangaratta-Corowa-Rutherglen) weren't counted as round one.

The Panthers crushed North Albury by 136 points and followed that with a 65-point hiding of Wodonga.

However, Lavington only led Wodonga, which doesn't have a stack of A-graders, by just 13 points at three-quarter time.

In their defence though, the Panthers lifted, blasting eight goals to nil.

Albury posted a 68-point win over Wangaratta Rovers, who were distracted when Stuart Booth was sent off.

But the premiers lost a number of players, including Daniel Cross, over the off-season so they don't look as imposing.

And Lavington, boasting coach Simon Curtis and Marty Brennan back in form after injury, appear at least as good as last year's elimination finalists.

Wangaratta Rovers and Corowa-Rutherglen appear another close prospect.

And could Rovers do a Roos on the Roos?

Corowa went into last year's first round on a 38-match losing streak, the league's second longest behind Myrtleford's 62 and toppled Rovers.

The Hawks haven't won since 2017.

The pair form part of a group, including Wodonga and Wodonga Raiders, tipped to finish six through nine, so expect a fierce battle.

Myrtleford is a popular tip to finish in the top five, but it doesn't deserve to be compared to the Yarrawongas and Lavingtons just yet, so Wodonga will fancy its chances of a third close clash.

It needs thrillers ASAP.