Opportunity knocking for Gisborne to make it two wins in a row with a trip up the Calder to take on the struggling Magpies.

Jack Reaper continues to impress in defence for the Bulldogs and is the only player in the competition who has been named in his side’s best players in all six rounds.

Four times in their six games this season the Magpies have been held to less than 30 points – their scoring not helped by the worst conversion rate in the competition at just 35.2 per cent (31.57).

Last time: Gisborne 17.13 (115) d Castlemaine 15.14 (104).

Head to Head: Gisborne 28; Castlemaine 8.

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Blockbuster game at Wade Street between first and third, with the loser likely to slip outside the top three.

It’s a contest that pits the No.1 ranked defensive team in the Bulldogs against the No.1 ranked scoring side in the Storm.

New Storm captain Kallen Geary is doing his Michelsen Medal chances no harm having made a stellar start to the season off half-back, while his counterpart – Jack Geary – has shown his prowess up forward as one of only three players in the competition who has at least two hauls of five goals so far this year.

Last time: Strathfieldsaye 10.17 (77) d Golden Square 9.7 (61).

Head to Head: Golden Square 13; Strathfieldsaye 11.

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You'd expect the Bloods to beat the Roos at Harry Trott Oval, but that was also expected in round 18 last year when Kangaroo Flat pulled off an upset at the same ground.

The Bloods would be disappointed they still haven’t been able to claim a scalp of note, having come up short against Eaglehawk, Golden Square and Sandhurst and drawn with Kyneton and as such are only half-a-game ahead of the Roos.

Last time: Kangaroo Flat 15.13 (103) d South Bendigo 13.15 (93).

Since 1995: South Bendigo 32; Kangaroo Flat 16; Drawn 1.

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Are the Dragons contenders or pretenders?

At this stage it’s the latter given they have been beaten in all three of their biggest tests so far against Golden Square, Strathfieldsaye and Kyneton – all games in which they have been let down by poor third quarters.

This contest on their home turf at the QEO against the second-placed Hawks presents another opportunity for the Dragons, who are two games outside the top three, to prove their credentials.

Last time: Eaglehawk 14.10 (94) d Sandhurst 6.13 (49).

Since 1995: Sandhurst 30; Eaglehawk 20; Drawn 1.

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Plenty to like this season about the Tigers, who in their past two games have knocked over both Sandhurst and Eaglehawk, and have now had their Sportsbet flag odds halved from an opening $9 to $4.50.

Barring a major upset at the hands of the winless Magpies in the indigenous round showcase game, the Tigers will be in the top three come Sunday night.

Last time: Kyneton 24.15 (159) d Maryborough 6.9 (45).

Since 1995: Maryborough 29; Kyneton 18.

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An ominous performance from the reigning premier Bombers last week in knocking over Huntly by 32 points.

Tough gig for the young Demons coming up against the might of the Bombers, but in a year of development these are the games that should prove invaluable in seeing first-hand just how the top sides go about it.

Last time: Leitchville-Gunbower 23.24 (162) d White Hills 5.6 (36).

Head to Head: Leitchville-Gunbower 9; White Hills 7.

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Cats’ coach Kahl Oliver hasn’t shied away from his belief the Cats are good enough to mix it with the “big four”, of which their opposition on Saturday, Colbinabbin, is one of.

So far the Cats have been outplayed by Huntly and North Bendigo, while their lack of accuracy has now become a trend – their past five scores being 14.21, 17.21, 11.12, 14.23 and 3.8.

The Cats can’t afford to continually fritter away their scoring opportunities if this is to be the game they claim the scalp they are craving.

Last time: Colbinabbin 16.18 (114) d LBU 4.7 (31).

Head to Head: Colbinabbin 23; LBU 16.

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North Bendigo has dished out plenty of hidings in recent years, but the Saints have worn a brunt of them – the Bulldogs have beaten them by at least 157 points in four of their past five meetings.

At least this time the Saints won’t have to worry about any of the departed Brady Herdman, Sam Barnes or Rhys Ford, who combined for 25 goals for the Bulldogs against Heathcote last time.

Last time: North Bendigo 37.31 (253) d Heathcote 4.4 (28).

Head to Head: North Bendigo 30; Heathcote 18.

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For the first time this season the Hawks, who sit on top, will be aiming to bounce back from a loss when they come up against the Blues.

While they didn’t win either game, there have been encouraging signs for the Blues in their past two outings when they led Leitchville-Gunbower at half-time and pushed Colbinabbin to within 13 points.

Last time: Huntly 24.15 (159) d Mt Pleasant 5.8 (38).

Since 1995: Mount Pleasant 31; Huntly 16.

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The reigning premiers host the unbeaten ladder-leaders.

Pyramid Hill has been the big surprise packet and after six rounds is the only undefeated team, earning the Bulldogs flag favourtism with Sportsbet at $2.50.

After a lethargic opening to their premiership defence, last week’s victory over Maiden Gully YCW may give the Demons the impetus to finally get their season rolling.

Last time: Calivil United 11.7 (73) d Pyramid Hill 8.4 (52).

Since 1995: Calivil United 32; Pyramid Hill 22.

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It’s that sort of a season in the Loddon Valley league where you can only have one win on the board after six rounds, yet be just four points outside the top five.

That’s the case for the Bears, who after being 0-4 broke their duck against Mitiamo last week and now have the chance to make it two-straight against the bottom-of-the-ladder Blues.

The Blues were the talk of the league back in round three following their win over Calivil United, but have since been outscored 58 goals to 19 in a trio of heavy losses.

Last time: BL-Serpentine 26.12 (168) d Inglewood 7.8 (50).

Since 1995: BL-Serpentine 34; Inglewood 13.

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So consistent has Bridgewater been for so long, not since 2006 have the Mean Machine lost three games in a row.

But that is a possibility staring at the Mean Machine, who having suffered consecutive losses to Pyramid Hill and Maiden Gully YCW now come up against one of their fiercest rivals in Newbridge, which is riding a four-game winning streak.

Last time: Bridgewater 11.7 (73) d Newbridge 10.11 (71).

Since 1995: Newbridge 25; Bridgewater 23.

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Four losses in a row for the Superoos – three of which they have been in front at three quarter-time.

The Superoos have slipped out of the top five and now meet the Panthers, who are coming off their first win of the season before back to back weeks off for inter-league and their club bye.

Last time: Marong 6.2 (38) d Mitiamo 4.9 (33).

Since 1995: Mitiamo 34; Marong 14.