WHITE Hills will face arguably their toughest challenge to date against an in-form Leitchville-Gunbower in HDFNL A-grade netball.
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The second-placed Demons have lost just one game this season, while Leitchville-Gunbower has recovered from a 1-3 start to peel off seven straight wins.
Under coach Jodie Lake, the Bombers have started the second half of the season in a blaze of glory, defeating ladder leaders Colbinabbin and third-placed North Bendigo, as well as Lockington-Bamawm United.
Despite their own stellar form, Demons coach Nadine Anderson was under no illusions about what to expect from the Bombers.
"It's going to be a tough game. I think they are the team to beat at the moment to be honest," Anderson said.
"We're pretty happy with where we are sitting, but the pointy end of the season is coming up and the weekend will truly show where we are at, or where we are not at.
"They are going to be a lot tougher than the first time round - they have had some positional changes and obviously that's working."
The Demons won the teams' earlier season encounter at Leitchville 46-37.
But its the Bombers’ wins against both of last year’s grand finalists that has caused most HDFNL netball followers to sit up and take notice.
Some astute recruiting is certainly paying dividends for White Hills, with the returning Brooke Watson and former Kangaroo Flat trio Brooke Lawry, Sarah Fern and Lauren Bowles all making an impact.
Anderson said midcourter Bowles was "an exceptional leader and player", but felt Saturday's game could possibly be won and lost elsewhere.
"I think it will come down to defence really - whoever's defenders are playing better on the day, I think that's what it will come down to," she said.
The Demons will be mindful of the need to curtail opposing coach Lake, Ange Slattery, Jordy Holman and reigning league best and fairest Lauren Dehne.
Meanwhile, Mount Pleasant's season is on the line against Huntly.
The Blues (3-7) are fast running out of chances to displace the Hawks (5-6) from fifth place.
A loss at Toolleen would spell disaster for Mount Pleasant, which is entering the game fresh off a bye.
In other games, Lockington-Bamawm United will look to keep its feint finals hopes alive against Heathcote, and top plays bottom when Colbinabbin and Elmore clash.