The Maine ended the first half of the season with just one victory – a one-shot win over Monday’s opponent, Golden Square, in the opening round.

Since then the Maine has lost its past six games by an average of 20 shots, while Golden Square has gone from strength to strength.

Square is on a five-game winning streak, which included a brilliant 24-shot victory over the previously undefeated Bendigo East last week.

In other round eight games on Monday, Bendigo hosts Woodbury.

Both teams are coming off victories and will be keen to finish the last game before the mid-season break on a positive note.

Inglewood is at home to Eaglehawk.

The Woods are mired to the bottom of the ladder, while the Hawks are among three teams – along with Bendigo and Kangaroo Flat – separated by just nine points from fourth to sixth.

And Kangaroo Flat will host Bendigo East, which is on the rebound from its first defeat.

LADDER:

Bendigo East – 92, +153

Golden Square – 80, +91

Woodbury – 73, -14

Eaglehawk – 58, -3

Bendigo – 52, -5

Kangaroo Flat – 49, +3

Castlemaine – 22, -119

Inglewood – 22, -106