While Saturday night’s game at the QEO will still be a highlight, it’s been superseded by a match few thought would get to blockbuster status - the clash between unbeaten sides Maryborough and Eaglehawk.

Maryborough hasn’t been associated with blockbuster games for more than a decade.

But on Saturday afternoon the Magpies host Eaglehawk and coach Shane Fisher is keen to test his players against one of the BFNL’s best.

“It’s a huge game for Maryborough,” Fisher said.

“As a club we haven’t had the opportunity to be involved in a blockbuster game for a long time.

“We haven’t lost a game, which is a positive, but we still haven’t played our best footy yet.

“Eaglehawk has obviously improved from last year and is one of the genuine contenders, so we’ve got a chance on our home ground to put in a strong performance again a quality opponent.

“If we don’t play well they might teach us a lesson.”

The Magpies haven’t put a foot wrong in the opening three rounds, including a win over probable finalist Sandhurst in the season-opener.

The most pleasing sign for the Magpies is the emergence of a new breed of potential stars.

For so long the Magpies relied on the exploits of the likes of Matt Aston, Jamie Bond, Glenn Chadwick and Cam Skinner.

While the latter three remain at the club, they can now play supporting roles as Joel Malone, Darcy Richards, Chris Thomson, Lachlan Woodward, Dylan Clarkson, Matthew Brown, Matthew Bilton, Tyson MacIlwain and Luke Bucknall take the next step towards being consistent top liners in the BFNL.

It’s that crop of players that most concerns Eaglehawk coach Derrick Filo.

“Shane (Fisher) has done a wonderful job with those younger players,” Filo said.

“He’s got games of footy into them in the past couple of years and they’ve bceome very good players.

“The scary thing with Maryborough this year is they’ve got a good spread of goalkickers.”

Filo said the Magpies have the talent to be a top-three side.

“I have a huge respect for Maryborough . . . they gave us a touch up in Maryborough last year and the previous two years we really battled to win,” Filo said.

“I haven’t been shocked by their form at all.

“We rate them as a genuine contender and we’re treating this week as a big danger game.”