Eaglehawk hosts Golden Square at Canterbury Park on Saturday.
BENDIGO – ROUND 6
Eaglehawk v Golden Square, 2.20pm Saturday at Canterbury Park, Eaglehawk – can the Hawks claim their first scalp of significance for the season?
They are 3-2, but those three victories have come against the winless trio of South Bendigo, Maryborough and Gisborne.
On Saturday they host the unbeaten Golden Square at Canterbury Park, where they can never be under-estimated, but can they string four quarters of consistent football together – which they were unable to do in their last big test against Strathfieldsaye three weeks ago – to challenge the Bulldogs?
Last time: Golden Square 14.10 (94) d Eaglehawk 10.5 (65).
Since 1995: Golden Square 31; Eaglehawk 19.
Maryborough v South Bendigo, 2.20pm Saturday at Barkers Oval, Maryborough – two winless teams striving for their first victories of the season.
Playing South Bendigo on its home ground shapes as a rare opportunity where Maryborough could go into a game this season with genuine optimism of a win and you’d expect the Magpies to get themselves up accordingly.
But for all the trouble the Blood have had scoring so far – they’ve kicked just 36 goals – you’d expect them to create more scoring opportunities and win the game.
Last time: South Bendigo 21.19 (145) d Maryborough 6.9 (45).
Since 1995: South Bendigo 31; Maryborough 14.
Strathfieldsaye v Gisborne, 2.20pm Saturday at Flight Centre Park, Strathfieldsaye – no respite for the young Bulldogs, who at 0-5 now head to Flight Centre Park, where Strathfieldsaye has won its past 19 games by an average of 77 points.
The Bulldogs have been slow out of the blocks in their past three games – they have been outscored 30-116 in their past three first quarters – and if they allow the Storm to assert their authority early, a long afternoon will be in store.
Last time: Strathfieldsaye 19.21 (135) d Gisborne 8.5 (53).
Since 2009: Gisborne 8; Strathfieldsaye 7.
Kyneton v Sandhurst, 2.20pm Saturday at Kyneton Showgrounds – start of a tough run of games for the Tigers, whose next four matches also include clashes against Golden Square and Strathfieldsaye.
The Tigers have been a team of two halves this season – they have outscored their opposition by 157 points in first halves, but been outscored by four points in second halves.
Nothing less than a four-quarter effort will be good enough to get the job done against the Dragons, who have won four-straight.
Last time: Sandhurst 19.13 (127) d Kyneton 11.12 (78).
Since 1995: Sandhurst 34; Kyneton 8; Drawn 1.
Castlemaine v Kangaroo Flat, 2.20pm Sunday at Camp Reserve, Castlemaine – the Sunday indigenous game features the Roos chasing their fifth win a row against the Magpies coming off a pair of losses to Golden Square and Sandhurst by a combined 131 points.
Captain Zach Hansford and Rhys Jenkins will play their 100th senior games for the Magpies, who need a win to get back even at 3-3.
Last time: Castlemaine 12.7 (79) d Kangaroo Flat 11.11 (77).
Since 1995: Castlemaine 22; Kangaroo Flat 22; Drawn 1.
SELECTIONS:
Kieran Iles (24) - South Bendigo (13), Golden Square (23), Strathfieldsaye (72), Sandhurst (3), Kangaroo Flat (6).
Luke West (21) - South Bendigo (28), Golden Square (32), Strathfieldsaye (76), Sandhurst (36), Kangaroo Flat (22).
Adam Bourke (21) - South Bendigo (35), Golden Square (15), Strathfieldsaye (68), Sandhurst (26), Kangaroo Flat (15).
Richard Jones (21) - South Bendigo (40), Golden Square (29), Strathfieldsaye (78), Sandhurst (31), Kangaroo Flat (19).
LODDON VALLEY – ROUND 7
Marong v Mitiamo, 2.15pm Saturday at Discover Marong Oval – a lot being said about the Superoos being the biggest threat to Bridgewater this year, but here’s a chance for the Panthers to show their credentials.
Like the Superoos, the Panthers are 4-1, with their four wins having come in a row, although, the Superoos have been more convincing in their victories so far, hence they have been more highly regarded.
Last time: Mitiamo 13.11 (89) d Marong 3.5 (23).
Since 1995: Mitiamo 32; Marong 12.
YCW v Inglewood, 2.15pm Saturday at Backhaus Oval, Golden Square – both sides chasing their second win of the season.
If the Blues were to notch it on Saturday, it would be significant given the club hasn’t won more than one senior game in a season since 2010.
The Eagles are coming off a 21-day break.
Last time: YCW 12.16 (88) d Inglewood 2.7 (19).
Since 1995: YCW 35; Inglewood 8.
Newbridge v Calivil United, 2.15pm Saturday at Karee Wool Riverside Oval – the Demons have given up their position in the top three on the back of consecutive losses to Bridgewater (19 points) and Mitiamo (17).
They now take on the Maroons who are 2-4, but showed with their competitive effort against Mitiamo for three-and-a-half quarters last round that the wheel may be starting to turn.
Last time: Newbridge 13.8 (86) d Calivil United 9.11 (65).
Since 1995: Calivil United 33; Newbridge 15.
Pyramid Hill v Bears Lagoon-Serpentine, 2.15pm Saturday at Mitchell Park, Pyramid Hill – the Bulldogs are 3-2 and just quietly going about their business.
At home they will be warm favourites to beat the winless Bears.
However, the Bears showed against Marong last round when they were run over late and lost by three points that a first win may not be far away.
Last time: BL-Serpentine 20.11 (131) d Pyramid Hill 20.7 (127) - 2015 qualifying final.
Since 1995: BL-Serpentine 26; Pyramid Hill 23.
SELECTIONS:
Adam Bourke (21) - Inglewood (8), Mitiamo (21), Calivil United (18), Pyramid Hill (22).
Luke West (20) - Inglewood (6), Mitiamo (20), Calivil United (16), Pyramid Hill (40).
Kieran Iles (20) - YCW (11), Mitiamo (22), Calivil United (8), Pyramid Hill (41).
HEATHCOTE DISTRICT – ROUND 8
Elmore v Huntly, 2.15pm Saturday at Elmore Recreation Reserve – the Bloods are riding a three-game winning streak for the first time since 2011.
The Bloods have beaten Mount Pleasant (34), White Hills (25) and LBU (46) in their past three games, but the quality of opposition steps up this week against the second-placed Hawks.
Accuracy like last round’s 22.5 will go a long way to the Bloods serving it right up to their more fancied opponents.
Last time: Elmore 17.8 (110) d Huntly 11.8 (74).
Since 1995: Elmore 30; Huntly 15.
Heathcote v Leitchville-Gunbower, 2.15pm Saturday at Pigeon Park, Heathcote – tough task at home for the Saints coming up against an in-form Bombers outfit that has won its past four games, during which it has averaged a score of 138.
The Bombers to make it five on the trot.
Last time: Leitchville-Gunbower 20.16 (136) d Heathcote 3.3 (21).
Since 2009: Heathcote 7; Leitchville-Gunbower 6.
Colbinabbin v White Hills, 2.15pm Saturday at M.J. Morgan Oval, Colbinabbin – all eyes will be on the Demons and how do they respond from their 183-point shellacking off North Bendigo last round when coach Carl Hardingham openly questioned “where to now” for his side.
The Grasshoppers, who have won five in a row, should be far too strong, but for the Demons it’s all about effort and pressure and being able to walk off with their heads held high, knowing they gave their all.
Last time: Colbinabbin 15.16 (106) d White Hills 7.6 (48).
Since 1995: Colbinabbin 35; White Hills 9.
North Bendigo v Mount Pleasant, 2.15pm Saturday at Superior Roofing Oval, North Bendigo – no HDFL side is on a longer winning streak against another than the 14 games in a row the Bulldogs have won against the Blues.
Expect the Bulldogs, who are sitting in top spot, to extend that winning run to 15 in a row.
Last time: North Bendigo 25.19 (169) d Mount Pleasant 9.10 (64).
Since 1996: Mount Pleasant 23; North Bendigo 21.
SELECTIONS:
Kieran Iles (24) - Huntly (14), Colbinabbin (82), Leitchville-Gunbower (28), North Bendigo (30).
Adam Bourke (24) - Huntly (22), Colbinabbin (60), Leitchville-Gunbower (38), North Bendigo (50).
Luke West (23) - Huntly (28), Colbinabbin (65), Leitchville-Gunbower (63), North Bendigo (58).
NORTH CENTRAL – ROUND 6
Donald v Charlton, 2.30pm Saturday at Donald Recreation Reserve – match of the round between two of the leading flag contenders, who combined have a record of 9-1.
With a 5-0 record, top side Donald is on its best winning streak since 2010, with the Royals yet to concede a score of more than 60 so far.
Third-placed Charlton is coming off a 53-point win over Boort in its last game, with Luke Kyriakides having been in ripping form for the Navy Blues.
Last time: Charlton 12.6 (78) d Donald 8.9 (57).
Since 2009: Donald 10; Charlton 8.
St Arnaud v Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers, 2.30pm Saturday at Lord Nelson Park, St Arnaud – both sides enter this match with one win each.
The Saints broke through for their first victory against Wedderburn last round, and back at home again look a strong chance to back it up with another.
Boort v Wycheproof-Narraport, 2.30pm Saturday at Boort Park – the Demons continue to impress with their 5-0 record, the past two wins of which they have overcame a half-time deficit.
While the Demons are flying, the improved Boort will be aiming to bounce back from its second loss of the season when it was comfortably beaten by Charlton last round.
The Demons to make it six in a row for the first time since 2010.
Last time: Wycheproof-Narraport 12.16 (88) d Boort 3.5 (23).
Since 2009: Wycheproof-Narraport 14; Boort 7.
Wedderburn v Birchip-Watchem, 2.30pm Saturday at Donaldson Park, Wedderburn – big chance for the Redbacks to notch their first win and climb off the bottom of the ladder.
They are playing at home against a Bulls side that has lost its past four games by an average of 42 points and is having plenty of trouble getting out of the blocks.
Last time: Birchip-Watchem 13.11 (89) d Wedderburn 10.6 (66).
Since 2009: Wedderburn 14; Birchip-Watchem 5.