The Storm (3-2) and Bulldogs (2-3) sit just outside the top five, but both would be hopeful of forcing their way in by season's end.

If that is to happen, games like this are a must-win.

The Storm showed plenty of resilience in coming from behind to beat a tough Maryborough by three goals before the inter-league break.

They will be without their captain Brianna Dalrymple-Monro (overseas) and injured defender Claudia Powell.

Storm coach Melissa Ryan said it appeared Gisborne was getting back to full strength, after a resounding victory against fifth-placed Kyneton.

She believed the week's break would benefit her players.

"It's good for the girls to have a bit of a break, but it can be hard to pick things up again," she said.

"Sometimes it works well and sometimes it can be detrimental.

"For us the break gave us a good chance to rest the bodies, but we were just starting to get a bit of momentum."

Ryan was confident the Storm had the depth - especially in the midfield - to cover the loss of Dalrymple-Monro and Powell.

The encounter is a rematch of last year’s preliminary final, won in emphatic style by the Storm.

Kyneton is under pressure to retain its spot in the five and comes up against top-of-the-ladder Sandhurst.

The Tigers have lost their last two games to sit 3-2, while the Dragons have shot to an impressive 5-0.

Eaglehawk is in desperate need of a victory to maintain contact with the leading bunch, but faces a tough task against Golden Square.

The Hawks have lost their captain Christy Rogers, whose experience would have been invaluable against the reigning premiers.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have rebounded strongly from their 0-2 start to post three straight wins and with class goal shooter Gabe Richards back in the line-up are starting to look ominous.

Castlemaine is without a win, but things don't get any easier for the Magpies this week against an undefeated Kangaroo Flat.

The Roos issued a reminder of their strength during a 61-38 round five win against Kyneton.

Maryborough will look to rebound from its narrow loss to Strathfieldsaye against South Bendigo at Barkers Oval.

A-grade ladder:  Sandhurst (5-0); Kangaroo Flat (5-0); Golden Square (3-2); Maryborough (3-2); Kyneton (3-2); Strathfieldsaye (3-2); Gisborne (2-3); Eaglehawk (1-4); South Bendigo (0-5); Castlemaine (0-5).