The Hawks enter round seven on Saturday with an unblemished record and sitting 29 points clear at the top of the ladder in what has been a strong response to last season missing the finals for the first time since 1999.

Only one rink in the competition is still undefeated – that of the Hawks’ Dean Carter.

The Flat will be hungry to bounce back from a disappointing result on its home green last week when defeated by Inglewood to have a four-game winning streak ended.

Eaglehawk has proven a massive bogey side for Kangaroo Flat in recent seasons.

The Flat hasn’t beaten the Hawks since they recorded a nine-shot win during the 2009-10 season when their skippers included brothers Simon and Dean Carter, who are both now skips at Eaglehawk.

Last time: Eaglehawk 117 d Kangaroo Flat 92.

Since 2005: Eaglehawk 21; Kangaroo Flat 3.

Prediction: Eaglehawk.

Unfamiliar territory for Bendigo East heading into a game off the back of three losses in a row.

It has happened only twice since the 2007-08 season, but that’s the position the Beasties find themselves in after defeats to Castlemaine by 65, Eaglehawk by four and Kangaroo Flat by three in their past three games.

South will also be determined to steady its season. Having started the season with four-straight wins, South has since dropped its past two to Eaglehawk (23) and Kangaroo Flat (12).

Last time: Bendigo East 98 d South Bendigo 95 (preliminary final).

Since 2005: Bendigo East 11; South Bendigo 3.

Prediction: South Bendigo.

Premiers one season to relegation danger the next?

That’s what could be ahead for Bendigo if it can’t begin to make inroads into the season after going through the first six rounds winless – albeit two of those losses have been by one shot.

Now they come up against a Castlemaine side that will be riding the momentum of a 65-shot thrashing of Bendigo East last week that has it back within six points of the top four.

Last time: Bendigo 108 d Castlemaine 90.

Since 2005: Bendigo 16; Castlemaine 8.

Prediction: Castlemaine.

In footy terms this is one of those old-fashioned “eight point games”.

Golden Square is sitting in fourth position, just one point clear of the fifth-placed Inglewood.

Both sides head into the clash on the back of wins in their past two games, setting up what should be an entertaining tussle to round out the first half of the season.

Last time: Golden Square 105 d Inglewood 93.

Since 2005: Golden Square 9; Inglewood 6.

Prediction: Inglewood.