Having played in the past nine grand finals, the Hawks are 18 points outside the top four with four rounds remaining.

If they are to bridge the gap to the top four from here and play in another finals series, they need to be scoring the maximum 18 points against sides below them on the ladder, such as Inglewood.

The Hawks scraped past Castlemaine by three shots last round, with skipper Tony Ellis’ rink again leading the way with a nine-shot victory.

Ellis’ rink has lost just once this season and is rated No.1 in the Bendigo Advertiser power rankings.

Inglewood was competitive in its last outing against flag favourite Bendigo, taking two rinks in a 16-shot defeat.

Last time: Eaglehawk 109 d Inglewood 62.

● Bendigo East will be out to win its third game in a row and cement its top four position when it hosts Castlemaine.

East was upset by Castlemaine earlier in the season when beaten by 20 shots in round four, but the Maine has dropped off since then, winning just one of six games.

The three-time defending premiers, Bendigo East looks to be hitting top gear as the business end of the season approaches, with its past two games wins over Golden Square and Strathfieldsaye by a combined 106 shots.

On that form it’s hard to see East losing to Castlemaine for a second time this season.

Last time: Castlemaine 90 d Bendigo East 70.

● It will be a clash of two sides in the top four when Bendigo takes on Kangaroo Flat.

Bendigo continues to dominate the season as it sits 32 points clear at the top of the ladder, while it’s also a massive 158 shots up.

The rinks of Andrew Brown and Torie Babitsch have both won their past three matches, while after winning its first eight games, Gary Carberry’s rink has dropped two in a row.

Kangaroo Flat should be confident it can upset the ladder-leaders today after last round defeating second-placed Golden Square by eight shots.

The only problem is the Flat hasn’t been able to string together two wins in a row yet this season.

Last time: Bendigo 97 d Kangaroo Flat 88.

● Second-placed Golden Square should get back on the winners’ list when it plays Strathfieldsaye at home.

Square has lost its past two games to Kangaroo Flat (8 shots) and Bendigo East (38), which has loosened its grip on second position to just five points from the chasing Bendigo East.

Bottom side Strathfieldsaye is coming off a shocker last round when belted by 68 shots by Bendigo East.

Last time: Golden Square 101 d Strathfieldsaye 89.