On past matches between the two clubs it’s tough to see the Magpies getting anywhere kicking a winning score against the Storm.

In their past six meetings the Storm have restricted the Magpies to just 24 goals, while booting 146 themselves – 14 of which came off the boot of Lachlan Sharp back in round five.

Last time: Strathfieldsaye 32.19 (211) d Maryborough 2.4 (16).

CASTLEMAINE (1-12) v KANGAROO FLAT (3-10) - 2.20pm Saturday at Castlemaine.

The Filo brothers lock horns against each other in the coaches box – Derrick at Castlemaine and Shawn with Kangaroo Flat.

Shawn took the bragging rights in round five with an 87-point victory – one of the Roos’ three wins for the year.

The Magpies are now on a 12-game losing streak. What better way to end it for Derrick than by beating his brother’s team.

Last time: Kangaroo Flat 19.15 (129) d Castlemaine 6.6 (42).

EAGLEHAWK (11-2) v SANDHURST (7-5-1) - 2.20pm Saturday at Eaglehawk.

Not since they started 2013 0-4 have the Dragons lost three games in a row.

But having lost their past two games to Kyneton and Golden Square, it gets no easier for the sixth-placed reigning premier at Canterbury Park against the Hawks.

The Dragons won their earlier encounter at the QEO by 27 points.

But since then the Hawks have reeled off eight wins in a row to now be sitting a game clear in top spot and carrying $3 flag favouritism with Sportsbet.

Eaglehawk hasn’t lost at home this season – but hasn’t beaten Sandhurst in its past six clashes.

Last time: Sandhurst 13.16 (94) d Eaglehawk 9.13 (67).

GISBORNE (4-9) v GOLDEN SQUARE (10-3) - 2.20pm Saturday at Gisborne.

It wasn’t long ago that Gisborne v Golden Square was always a BFNL highlight fixture – in one stretch of nine matches between 2012 and 2015 seven of their meetings were decided by nine points or less.

But more recently their past four battles have been whitewashes – Golden Square winning by 73, 151, 118 and 80 points.

Both sides will be desperate to respond from last week – Gisborne offered little resistance in a 91-point hiding from Strathfieldsaye; Golden Square blew a 29-point third quarter-lead against Eaglehawk.

Last time: Golden Square 22.15 (147) d Gisborne 11.8 (74).

KYNETON (8-4-1) v SOUTH BENDIGO (9-4) - 2.20pm Saturday at Kyneton.

A chance for the Tigers to win five in a row for the first time since 1999.

The Tigers are again turning the Showgrounds into a fortress, with their record at home 12-3 since the start of last season and that’s why it will prove a tough obstacle for the Bloods to overcome.

Big game for both sides, who sit fourth and fifth, separated by just two points on the ladder – and also separated by only two points last time they met.

Last time: South Bendigo 15.16 (106) d Kyneton 16.8 (104).

• Round 14 tips:

Kieran Iles (57) - Strathfieldsaye (85), Kangaroo Flat (25), Sandhurst (12), Golden Square (52), Kyneton (34).

Richard Jones (55) - Strathfieldsaye (81), Kangaroo Flat (22), Eaglehawk (7), Golden Square (38), Kyneton (19).

Luke West (53) - Strathfieldsaye (95), Kangaroo Flat (40), Eaglehawk (20), Golden Square (40), Kyneton (30).

Adam Bourke (51) - Strathfieldsaye (90), Kangaroo Flat (20), Eaglehawk (3), Golden Square (10), Kyneton (18).

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MARONG (3-11) v NEWBRIDGE (10-4) - 2.15pm Saturday at Marong.

After claiming the big scalp of Bridgewater last week, the third-placed Maroons won’t want to undo all their good work by suffering an upset loss to Marong.

Last time: Newbridge 10.11 (71) d Marong 6.4 (40).

PYRAMID HILL (7-7) v MAIDEN GULLY YCW EAGLES (3-11) - 2.15pm Saturday at Pyramid Hill.

The Bulldogs have got themselves back into the top five – now the challenge is to hold onto their position.

The past fortnight highlights the inconsistency the Bulldogs have struggled with all season. Last week they kicked the highest score of the season in a 105-point win over Inglewood; the previous week they copped a 67-point hiding off an out-of-sorts Mitiamo.

The Eagles showed with their barnstorming finish against BL-Serpentine last week when they fell two points short that the Bulldogs should under-estimate them at their peril.

Last time: Pyramid Hill 22.16 (148) d Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 7.7 (49).

MITIAMO (7-7) v INGLEWOOD (1-14) - 2.15pm Saturday at Mitiamo.

Last game of the year for the Blues, who have the bye in the final round next week.

Regardless of Saturday’s result, the Blues will claim the wooden-spoon, but they could certainly make life difficult for sixth-placed Mitiamo’s finals aspirations if they can finish 2017 on a high with a second win.

Last time: Mitiamo 18.13 (121) d Inglewood 9.7 (61).

BEARS LAGOON-SERPENTINE (9-5) v CALIVIL UNITED (13-1) - 2.15pm Saturday at Serpentine.

The Demons can now tick the box of a guaranteed top-of-the-ladder finish.

The Bears need to win at least one more game before they can tick the box of locking up their return to the finals. It won’t be easy, though, doing so at the expense of the Demons.

Last time: Calivil United 19.4 (118) d BL-Serpentine 9.8 (62).

• Round 17 tips:

Adam Bourke (49) - Newbridge (32), Pyramid Hill (20), Mitiamo (53), Calivil United (12).

Luke West (48) - Newbridge (42), Pyramid Hill (36), Mitiamo (55), Calivil United (35).

Kieran Iles (45) - Newbridge (48), Pyramid Hill (22), Mitiamo (60), Calivil United (42).

………………..…...………..

ELMORE (2-10-1) v HEATHCOTE (4-10) - 2.15pm Saturday at Elmore.

Based on the theory that Heathcote belted Mount Pleasant by 63 points last Saturday, while a week earlier the Bloods could only draw with the Blues, the Saints to start favourites.

Last time: Heathcote 15.19 (109) d Elmore 11.15 (81).

LEITCHVILLE-GUNBOWER (12-1) v NORTH BENDIGO (13-0) - 2.15pm Saturday at Gunbower.

The two powerhouse sides collide and for the first time this season North Bendigo’s unbeaten record looks under threat through a combination of injuries to key players and the red-hot form of the Bombers.

The Bulldogs won their round seven meeting by 68 points, and while they have continued to tick off the wins, their form hasn’t been as dominant as the surging Bombers.

Both sides go into the game with average winning margins above 100 points – Leitchville-Gunbower (107) and North Bendigo (105) – and with combined percentages of 596.2.

Last time: North Bendigo 23.13 (151) d Leitchville-Gunbower 12.11 (83).

COLBINABBIN (9-5) v WHITE HILLS (6-7) - 2.15pm Saturday at Colbinabbin.

The Demons sit in fifth position and headed for finals, but as last week’s 39-point loss to LBU showed, they desperately need to find their early-season spark.

After starting the season 3-0, the Demons are 3-4 in their past seven games and now face their bogey team in the Grasshoppers, who they haven’t beaten since 2011.

Last time: Colbinabbin 15.13 (103) d White Hills 10.8 (68).

MOUNT PLEASANT (2-10-1) v HUNTLY (7-6) - 2.15pm Saturday at Toolleen.

The Mount Pleasant faithful won’t have fond memories of their last outing against Huntly when the Blues were held goalless.

The Blues can’t change that result, but they have the chance to produce a much more competitive effort at home in the return match.

Last time: Huntly 18.30 (138) d Mt Pleasant 0.2 (2).

• Round 16 tips:

Kieran Iles (51) - Elmore (3), North Bendigo (6), Colbinabbin (45), Huntly (72).

Adam Bourke (49) - Heathcote (5), Leitchville (8), Colbinabbin (34), Huntly (50).

Luke West (48) - Heathcote (10), Leitchville (12), Colbinabbin (36), Huntly (90).