The Bulldogs fell a frustrating two goals short in their round five encounter against Golden Square last Saturday.

It was their second loss narrow loss to a current top-five team following a five goal loss to Kangaroo Flat in round three.

The Bulldogs have previously disposed of Kyneton by 56 goals, South Bendigo (30) and Strathfieldsaye (23) and, through 2016 league best and fairest runner-up Maddy Stewart, VNL goal shooter Ella Bertichinni, midcourters Tiana Newman and Tarryn Rymer, and goal attack Rachel McKenzie, easily boast one of the league's strongest combinations.

They will get their shot at earning a win over a bona-fide finals contender this Sunday at Eaglehawk.

"We do need to start getting some wins against the top teams in the league," Keane said.

"Obviously against Kangaroo Flat we just came up short as well, as we did against Golden Square.

"We will be looking to make sure that in these tight contests we learn where we need to get better, both mentally and physically."

The Hawks will be full of confidence after defeating top side Sandhurst 48-45 last Saturday.

Keane, who is in his first season as coach, was expecting another tough and close encounter against a Hawks team with a matching 3-2 record.

"So many of the games are going to be tough in this league, every time you step out on court you have to produce your best netball," he said.  

"We'll need to produce do that this weekend and have a really hard crack."

Despite the loss to Golden Square, Keane said there had been quite a few positives to emerge from the contest.

The Bulldogs showed great perseverance to come back from a five goal quarter time deficit to draw level with with just minutes remaining in a tense final term.

The Bulldogs coach lauded the performance of Newman, who applied maximum pressure at wing defence before switching to centre in the second half.

"Particularly in defence, she won a lot of ball and slowed Golden Square's progression down to their goal shooter," he said.

"She did some really great stuff for us."

Meanwhile, Gisborne's conqueror Golden Square is bracing for another tough fight at Maryborough this Saturday.

The Magpies suffered a three goal upset against Strathfieldsaye on the weekend, a fortnight after they beat reigning premiers Kangaroo Flat by 13.

Golden Square coach Allira Holmes said the Bulldogs’ primary focus would be on continuing their own good form as opposed to worrying about what the magpies might serve up.

"I know Jordan (Macilwain) is still there shooting and is tough player to come up against - I really like the way she plays," she said.

"But I don't know much about them other than Alicia Cassidy running the midcourt and she's obviously dynamic.

"I can only train this team to be the best they can be on the day and if we worry about our own game we should be able to beat whoever comes up against us."