Round six preview of the Maryborough-Castlemaine District Football League.
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MALDON v CARISBROOK - 2.35pm Saturday at Maldon.
Last time: Round 11, 2013: Carisbrook 14.17 (101) d Maldon 5.12 (42).
Since 2004: Carisbrook 15; Maldon 3.
MALDON - the winless Bombers are coming off back-to-back games against top-four sides Newstead and Lexton and now cop what will be a fired-up Carisbrook on the rebound from a rare hiding.
CARISBROOK - had two weeks to sit and stew on their 89-point hiding from Navarre in what was only their third loss by more than 10 goals in their past 89 games. Should be far too strong for the Bombers.
TIP: Carisbrook (55).
CAMPBELLS CREEK v DUNOLLY - 2.35pm Saturday at Campbells Creek.
Last time: Round 4, 2013: Campbells Creek 18.17 (125) d Dunolly 13.11 (89).
Since 2004: Campbells Creek 8; Dunolly 6.
CAMPBELLS CREEK - the Creekers haven’t played finals since 1999 and can’t afford to be dropping home games like this against Dunolly if they are to end the drought. Should win and improve to 4-2.
DUNOLLY - Desperately need to find some avenues to goal, with the Eagles yet to kick more than nine goals in a game. Jay Pitto, coach Tony Bellenger and Matthew Halacas been consistent for the Eagles.
TIP: Campbells Creek (44).
HARCOURT v ROVERS - 2.35pm Saturday at Harcourt.
Last time: Round 11, 2013: Harcourt 20.29 (149) d Rovers 4.7 (31).
Since 2004: Harcourt 13; Rovers 4.
HARCOURT - for the third round in a row the Lions come up against a side yet to win a game. Started the season 0-3, but a win at home over Rovers would get the Lions back on an even keel at 3-3.
ROVERS - still no wins, but highlighting their improved competitiveness, this time last year Rovers had a goal difference of -71 after five games. This year, their goal difference after five games is -29.
TIP: Harcourt (38).
NATTE BEALIBA v TRENTHAM - 2.35pm Saturday at Natte Yallock.
Last time: Round 8, 2013: Natte Bealiba 20.18 (138) d Trentham 4.4 (28).
Since 2011: Natte Bealiba 3; Trentham 2.
NATTE BEALIBA - not a lot of fanfare around the Swans, but they sit in fifth position with a 3-2 record. Blew a 10-point three quarter-time lead against Royal Park last round, so will be determined to make amends.
TRENTHAM - slipped from fourth to eighth the past two rounds on the back of losses to Royal Park and Talbot. Can they produce four quarters after coughing up 27-point half-time lead against Talbot last round?
TIP: Natte Bealiba (26).
NAVARRE v AVOCA - 2.35pm Saturday at Navarre.
Last time: Round 16, 2013: Navarre 12.11 (83) d Avoca 7.3 (45).
Since 2011: Navarre 4; Avoca 0.
NAVARRE - the reigning premier reaffirmed its status as the team to beat last round with its 89-point demolition of Carisbrook. Ash Driscoll (33 goals) shaping as early Berry-Powell medal favourite.
AVOCA - the Bulldogs are still chasing their first win and must now face the MCDFL’s best team on its home turf. Have an average losing margin of 85 points against Navarre and tough to see this being any better a day.
TIP: Navarre (89).
TALBOT v LEXTON - 2.35pm Saturday at Talbot.
Last time: Round 11, 2013: Talbot 7.5 (47) d Lexton 6.9 (45).
Since 2011: Lexton 3; Talbot 1.
TALBOT - the Hawks are back within two points of the top eight after last round’s stunning second-half against Trentham. Underdogs on Saturday, but so were they last year when they upset Lexton.
LEXTON - the Tigers are laying the foundation for their season with four wins from their five games. Will want to kick a bit straighter than last round’s 14.24 in their 48-point win over Rovers.
TIP: Lexton (32).
NEWSTEAD v ROYAL PARK - 2.35pm Sunday at Camp Reserve, Castlemaine.
Last time: Round 13, 2013: Newstead 17.11 (113) d Royal Park 13.7 (85).
Since 2004: Newstead 13; Royal Park 2.
NEWSTEAD - one of the three undefeated teams and sitting second on the ladder, but the draw will start to get tougher, with only one of the sides they have beaten - Carisbrook - currently in the top eight.
ROYAL PARK - another of the unbeaten teams. Massive test of Royal Park’s credentials against the Steaders. Bushy hasn’t beaten Newstead since round 11, 2005, when they won by one point.
TIP: Newstead (22).
