The Magpies conceded an average of 145 points per game last year. Over the first four rounds this season they have reduced that to 108 points per game.

The Storm are building nicely into the season with three wins in a row – the past two against Sandhurst and Kyneton – and should have far too much class for the Magpies.

It’s already shaping as a breakout season for Storm ruckman Harry Crone, who has been in their best three players in each game.

Last time: Strathfieldsaye 24.18 (162) d Maryborough 6.2 (38).

Head to Head: Strathfieldsaye 14; Maryborough 4.

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The Roos will be breathing a sigh of relief after last week notching their first win of the season by 22 points against Maryborough, which came on the back of three heavy losses to open the season.

The Roos now have the chance to make it two on the trot when they venture to Castlemaine to meet a Magpies’ side that has kicked scores of just 26, 21 and 20 in its past three games

Last time: Castlemaine 7.15 (57) d Kangaroo Flat 5.14 (44).

Since 1995: Kangaroo Flat 25; Castlemaine 23; Drawn 1.

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Windy with showers and a top of 13 degrees forecast at Tigerland as Kyneton gets a crack at inflicting the first defeat on Eaglehawk.

Making the most of their opportunities like last week’s 17.6 in their win over Gisborne will enhance the Tigers’ chances of toppling the Hawks, who are now a game clear at the top of the ladder.

One of the strengths of the Hawks has been their capacity to finish games strongly with last quarters of 29-13 against Golden Square, 59-13 against Gisborne and 92-0 against Castlemaine in their past three games.

Last time: Eaglehawk 18.15 (123) d Kyneton 8.8 (56).

Since 1995: Eaglehawk 35; Kyneton 11.

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Both teams are on the rebound from defeats last week, while the Bulldogs will be hunting their first win at the QEO since the 2014 finals.

It’s a milestone game for the Bulldogs, with Shaun Comerford to play his 200^th match to provide some added incentive for a strong showing.

After promising starts the Bulldogs have dropped away after half-time in both their past two games against Kyneton and Eaglehawk. Can they go the distance this week against the Dragons?

Last time: Sandhurst 18.17 (125) d Gisborne 10.5 (65).

Head to Head: Gisborne 22; Sandhurst 20.

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The Bloods will want to sharpen up in front of goal if they are to get their first win over the Bulldogs since 2013.

They had plenty of the ball against Castlemaine last week, but their conversion of 11.21 let them down.

Given the Bulldogs’ capacity to restrict opposition scoring opportunities, the Bloods can’t afford another such wayward effort in front of the big sticks.

Last time: Golden Square 14.11 (95) d South Bendigo 8.9 (57).

Since 1995: Golden Square 33; South Bendigo 24.

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The Bloods are still chasing their first win of the season and on their home deck get a crack at LBU.

In what has been a tough season so far ruckman Jack Hayes and Bailey Boyack have been shining lights for the Bloods, while for the Cats, Jarod Bacon has been a livewire in attack, having already kicked a haul of five goals three times in their four games.

Last time: LBU 12.10 (82) d Elmore 13.2 (80).

Head to Head: LBU 25; Elmore 16.

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They didn’t get the win, but there was plenty to like about the effort of Mount Pleasant to push Colbinabbin to within 13 points last Saturday.

Now another big challenge awaits the Blues with a trip to Leitchville to take on the Bombers, who with the bye last week have had a fortnight to stew on their loss to Colbinabbin last game.

A major hurdle for the Blues will be curbing the influence of Bombers’ star forward Matt Perri. In his past three games against Mount Pleasant Perri has booted bags of 10, 12 and 10 goals.

Last time: Leitchville-Gunbower 30.23 (203) d Mount Pleasant 2.3 (15).

Head to Head: Leitchville-Gunbower 12; Mount Pleasant 4.

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Keenly-anticipated clash between the competition’s two undefeated teams.

Huntly’s 5-0 start to the season has been aided by its ability to assert its dominance early in games, having outscored its opposition 300-109 in first halves so far.

Grasshoppers coach Nick Knight last week labelled his side “flat, lethargic and reactive” after being challenged by Mount Pleasant. You’d expect a vastly different Colbo mindset on Saturday.

Last time: Huntly 14.16 (100) d Colbinabbin 12.12 (84).

Since 1995: Colbinabbin 34; Huntly 15.

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After breaking through for their first win of the season last week, the Demons now have the opportunity to make it back-to-back against the Saints, who three times in their four games have been held to less than 40.

Last time: White Hills 15.25 (115) d Heathcote 7.7 (49).

Since 1995: Heathcote 27; White Hills 22.

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Neither side has a win on the board, yet neither has been blown out either.

Of the seven combined losses the two sides have suffered, the biggest margin has been 35 points.

Both need that first win to give their season a kickstart.

Last time: BL-Serpentine 15.17 (107) d Marong 14.6 (90).

Since 1995: BL-Serpentine 27; Marong 20.

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Big opportunity for the Bulldogs to hit the inter-league break with an unblemished 5-0 record as they take on the Blues, who they haven’t lost to since 2007.

The Blues are coming off an 88-point loss to Maiden Gully last week, which as well as a 155-point hiding from Bridgewater in round two poses the question of was the win over Calivil United in between just a flash in the pan?

Last time: Pyramid Hill 26.19 (175) d Inglewood 11.4 (70).

Since 1995: Pyramid Hill 35; Inglewood 11.

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It has been a superb 4-0 start to the season for the Eagles that has them on top of the ladder, but this is a major opportunity to show just what they are made of against the Mean Machine.

Continue their winning streak at Bridgewater and the Eagles will well and truly have the competition sitting up and taking notice in what could be one of those pivotal days in their re-emergence against the Mean Machine, who remain a yardstrick litmus test.

The Eagles have lost 12 in a row against Bridgewater by an average of 89 points.

Last time: Bridgewater 16.11 (107) d Maiden Gully YCW 10.5 (65).

Since 1995: Bridgewater 23; Maiden Gully YCW 22; Drawn 1.

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The Superoos will be rueing a pair of missed opportunities over the past fortnight in which they have led Pyramid Hill and Maiden Gully YCW at three quarter-time, but have lost both games.

Next up is a clash with the Maroons, who have strung together two wins in a row.

Last time: Newbridge 16.13 (109) d Mitiamo 8.12 (60).

Since 1995: Newbridge 25; Mitiamo 24.