When Maryborough takes to the field on Saturday it will be 1049 days since it last won a game.

The club’s senior losing streak has now hit 47 games, with this clash against Castlemaine shaping as the best chance it’s had during that time of finally breaking through for four points.

Maryborough is on its home ground against a Castlemaine side that has almost identical statistical numbers across the first half of the season – albeit with a win on the board.

Last time: Castlemaine 16.8 (104) d Maryborough 9.11 (65).

EAGLEHAWK (7-2) v SOUTH BENDIGO (6-3) - 2.20pm Saturday at Eaglehawk.

The Hawks are hitting their stride with four wins in a row during which key forward Matt Gretgrix has kicked 29 of his 43 goals for the season.

The Bloods haven’t won at Canterbury Park since 2012, but if they get over the line they could find themselves back in the top three.

However, lose and they could also be just half-a-game inside the top five.

It’s that sort of a season in the BFNL.

Last time: Eaglehawk 8.12 (60) d South Bendigo 6.11 (47).

GISBORNE (3-6) v KYNETON (4-4-1) - 2.20pm Saturday at Gisborne.

The Tigers’ season is getting to the crossroads. They have proven they are good enough to challenge every team and that their best is as good as any, yet they are six points outside the top five at the halfway mark having lost three games in a row.

The Bulldogs again showed last week when they were within seven points of Sandhurst 20 minutes into the last quarter that they are no easy proposition at home and you can bet they’ll get themselves up for the the chance to put another dagger into their arch rivals.

Last time: Kyneton 16.16 (112) d Gisborne 15.14 (104).

GOLDEN SQUARE (7-2) v KANGAROO FLAT (2-7) - 2.20pm Saturday at Golden Square.

The Roos haven’t won at Golden Square since 2000 and it’s hard to see anything changing on Saturday given the second-placed Bulldogs are five wins ahead of Kangaroo Flat on the ladder.

The Roos gave the Bulldogs a massive scare in round one when they led for the bulk of their Good Friday game, only to go down by six points. But they’ll need to play out of their skins if they are to push their long-time nemesis – who they have lost 33 in a row against – to the brink again.

Last time: Golden Square 6.14 (50) d Kangaroo Flat 6.8 (44).

SANDHURST (6-2-1) v STRATHFIELDSAYE (8-1) - 2.20pm Saturday at QEO.

Huge QEO game to kickstart the second half of the season as the reigning premier Dragons host what is proving to be the 2017 yardstick in the Storm.

The Storm have strung together seven wins in a row and are now ranked No.1 at both ends of the ground for attack and defence.

The Dragons, who have won three in a row, are the hunted this year as the defending premier. But this has a feel that it will be the Dragons doing the hunting in what’s a game where they are a rare underdog.

Last time: Strathfieldsaye 13.12 (90) d Sandhurst 12.5 (77).

• Round 10 tips:

Kieran Iles (40) – Castlemaine (30), Eaglehawk (11), Kyneton (22), Golden Square (34), Strathfieldsaye (17).

Adam Bourke (38) – Castlemaine (1), South Bendigo (4), Kyneton (28), Golden Square (29), Strathfieldsaye (3).

Richard Jones (38) – Castlemaine (16), Eaglehawk (21), Kyneton (32), Golden Square (43), Strathfieldsaye (9).

Luke West (37)  – Maryborough (6), Eaglehawk (20), Kyneton (10), Golden Square (52), Strathfieldsaye (15). 

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INGLEWOOD (1-9) v NEWBRIDGE (7-3) - 2.15pm Saturday at Inglewood.

Based on co-coach Ryan McNish’s assessment after last week’s 125-point loss to Calivil United, the Blues will need to polish their skills if they are to compete with the Maroons.

Interesting to note the Maroons sit third on the ladder, yet have the worst percentage of the top six teams with 106.3. In a tight season where percentage may prove pivotal, they’ll want to give it a boost.

Last time: Newbridge 16.12 (108) d Inglewood 10.7 (67).

MAIDEN GULLY YCW EAGLES (2-7) v CALIVIL UNITED (10-0) - 2.15pm Saturday at Maiden Gully.

Hard to mount a case here for the Eagles. They’ve lost their past four games, including becoming the first team to be beaten by Inglewood in their last start before the bye.

With 10 on the trot, the undefeated Demons are now on their best winning streak since their last premiership year in 2008. The reserves are also flying at 10-0, highlighting plenty of depth.

Last time: Calivil United 13.16 (94) d Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 6.7 (43).

PYRAMID HILL (4-6) v MARONG (1-8) - 2.15pm Saturday at Pyramid Hill.

An unfamiliar two games outside the top five, the Bulldogs now have their work cut out for them if they are to make a 14th-straight finals appearance.

On their home deck they should bounce back from three losses in a row against a Marong side that has lost five on the trot.

Last time: Pyramid Hill 14.9 (93) d Marong 8.16 (64).

MITIAMO (6-4) v BRIDGEWATER (7-3) - 2.15pm Saturday at Mitiamo.

Should be a ripper of a clash between the grand finalists of the past two seasons that were separated by just two points in round three.

Mitiamo took a big step forward with its win over Newbridge last week, while the Mean Machine has climbed from sixth to second on the back of three wins in a row and is starting to get that ominous look about them again.

Last time: Bridgewater 11.14 (80) d Mitiamo 11.12 (78).

• Round 12 tips:

Adam Bourke (34) – Newbridge (31), Calivil United (71), Pyramid Hill (29), Bridgewater (11).

Luke West (34) – Newbridge (40), Calivil United (64), Pyramid Hill (36), Bridgewater (8).

Kieran Iles (29) – Newbridge (44), Calivil United (50), Pyramid Hill (30), Mitiamo (3). 

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ELMORE (2-7) v LBU (1-8) - 2.15pm Saturday at Elmore.

Only three wins between the Bloods and Cats this season, but both go into this clash on the back of victories last week.

A Cats’ win would get them off the bottom of the ladder, while the Bloods should be bitterly disappointed if they can’t beat the last-placed team after knocking off top five side White Hills last week.

Last time: Elmore 21.8 (134) d LBU 16.14 (110).

HEATHCOTE (3-6) v WHITE HILLS (5-4) - 2.15pm Saturday at Heathcote.

Can the Saints create some interest in the fight for fifth spot? Should the Saints notch a win at home they would close to within one game of the fifth-placed Demons, who desperately need to regain their early-season spark that has gone missing.

Last time: White Hills 16.18 (114) d Heathcote 10.4 (64).

HUNTLY (5-3) v NORTH BENDIGO (9-0) - 2.15pm Saturday at Huntly.

The Hawks have got their season back on track with three wins in a row by a combined 290 points.

But this is the ultimate test to see just where the Hawks are at against an opponent that embarrassed them by 149 points in round two.

Last time: North Bendigo 27.25 (187) d Huntly 4.14 (38).

MOUNT PLEASANT (2-7) v COLBINABBIN (5-4) - 2.15pm Saturday at Toolleen.

The defensive work of the Grasshoppers has been lauded by several opposition coaches this season, which doesn’t bode well for the Blues, who in three of their past four games haven’t kicked a score above 30 and are now in the wooden spoon danger zone.

Last time: Colbinabbin 8.15 (63) d Mount Pleasant 2.10 (22).

• Round 11 tips:

Kieran Iles (34) – Elmore (17), White Hills (3), North Bendigo (55), Colbinabbin (59).

Adam Bourke (34) – Elmore (2), White Hills (10), North Bendigo (40), Colbinabbin (64).

Luke West (32) – Elmore (7), White Hills (8), North Bendigo (68), Colbinabbin (70).