They are now two games outside the top five ahead of the trip to Princes Park to take on the Magpies, who were handed a footballing lesson by Strathfieldsaye in the second half last week in what was their first big blowout loss of 2018 when beaten by 159 points.

Last time: Gisborne 18.19 (127) d Maryborough 6.6 (42).

Head to Head: Gisborne 32; Maryborough 5.

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The Magpies have been on the wrong end of plenty of ugly scorelines this year and another is looming as they come up against the Storm in the clash of top versus bottom.

Even without Lachlan Sharp in the side for the past six weeks the Storm have been able to maintain their scoring average of 119 points per game from their premiership season of last year, with the trio of Bryce Curnow (31 goals), Fergus Payne (27) and Hugh Robertson (16 in past seven games) playing the lead roles in keeping the scoreboard ticking over.

Last time: Strathfieldsaye 27.25 (187) d Castlemaine 4.5 (29).

Head to Head: Strathfieldsaye 17; Castlemaine 2.

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The Bulldogs host the Roos in a game where one team has won its past two games and the other has lost its past two matches.

But it’s not what you’d expect given the Bulldogs are far more well known for winning games than the Roos.

Rather, the Bulldogs have dropped two in a row to South Bendigo and Eaglehawk in which they have fallen from third to fifth, while the Roos have strung together back-to-back victories over Castlemaine and Maryborough.

While the Roos have had their scoring difficulties throughout the season against the top sides, they have kicked 32 goals the past two weeks and generated 80 scoring shots.

Last time: Golden Square 19.14 (128) d Kangaroo Flat 8.6 (54).

Since 1995: Golden Square 39; Kangaroo Flat 9.

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The Bloods will carry the confidence of their best performance of the season last week against Golden Square into this clash with the second-placed Hawks.

The Bloods now have the momentum of three wins in a row behind them and showed last week – aided by a haul of five goals from Liam Bartels – that they can kick winning scores against quality opponents when their star forward Kaiden Antonowicz (two) is well contained.

Last time: Eaglehawk 17.13 (115) d South Bendigo 10.9 (69).

Since 1995: South Bendigo 27; Eaglehawk 24.

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Fittingly, the QEO hosts the match of the round in what’s a pivotal game in the top three fight between the Dragons and Tigers.

The equation is simple – the Tigers will maintain third position with a victory, or they will be overtaken by the surging Dragons if Sandhurst prevails.

Having one stage been 3-4 and out of the top five after round seven with their credentials being questioned, the Dragons are hitting their straps with six wins in their past seven games during which they’ve only conceded one score above 65.

Last time: Kyneton 14.9 (93) d Sandhurst 8.14 (62).

Since 1995: Sandhurst 36; Kyneton 11; Drawn 2.

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Hard to see anything other than the red-hot form of the Bulldogs continuing against the Saints in what’s a game where the two sides will vie for the Champions IGA Cup.

The Bulldogs are riding an 11-game winning streak and showed with last week’s 233-point win over Elmore they are still as ruthless as ever when they have the foot on the throat of an opponent.

Last time: North Bendigo 17.19 (121) d Heathcote 3.5 (23).

Head to Head: North Bendigo 31; Heathcote 18.

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Looming as a potential elimination final preview.

The Cats are coming off a pair off 100 point-plus wins over Heathcote and Elmore the past fortnight in which forward Lachlan Collins has bagged 17 goals, while it will be a big day for veteran Mick Dobson, who becomes the first LBU player to notch 200 senior games in the Heathcote District league.

Last time: Colbinabbin 14.16 (100) d LBU 9.8 (62).

Head to Head: Colbinabbin 24; LBU 16.

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With the bye in the final round, it’s the last game of the home and away season for the Hawks, who will be determined for a strong finish and response to last week’s 52-point loss to Leitchville-Gunbower.

The Blues lost their past three games in which they kicked scores of 60, 63 and 65 in before a bye last week.

Last time: Huntly 27.9 (171) d Mount Pleasant 12.15 (87).

Since 1995: Mount Pleasant 31; Huntly 17.

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Having copped an 87-point hiding off Colbinabbin last week it gets no easier for the Demons against Leitchville-Gunbower, who have won five on the trot since their round 10 disaster against North Bendigo.

Last time: Leitchville-Gunbower 21.12 (138) d White Hills 6.3 (39).

Head to Head: Leitchville-Gunbower 10; White Hills 7.

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The Mean Machine are still in with a finals sniff after last week’s win over Pyramid Hill and that will ensure there’s still plenty to play for against Newbridge – not that Bridgewater needs a reason to get up and about against the arch-rival Maroons.

Last time: Newbridge 16.14 (110) d Bridgewater 13.10 (88).

Since 1995: Newbridge 26; Bridgewater 23.

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The Superoos have spent the bulk of the season inter-changing between fifth and sixth on the ladder.

They are back in the top five after beating BL-Serpentine last week, with the challenge now to hold onto their position.

They should maintain their spot in the five this week with their opponent a Marong side that has lost six in a row by an average of 75 points, but this is a competition that has been full of surprises. 

Last time: Mitiamo 18.19 (127) d Marong 9.7 (61).

Since 1995: Mitiamo 35; Marong 14.

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If the Bulldogs win this one at home they will guarantee a top three finish and the double chance in what has been a strong bounce back from last year’s rare finals absence.

There’s also plenty riding on the result for last year’s premiers Demons, who could potentially find themselves outside the top five with two rounds remaining if beaten.

Last time: Calivil United 13.14 (92) d Pyramid Hill 8.9 (57).

Since 1995: Calivil United 33; Pyramid Hill 22.

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Last week’s defeat to Mitiamo left the Bears with the job ahead of them to reach the finals as they dropped a game outside the top five in what’s a season where they have constantly been playing catch-up since their 0-4 start.

The Blues battled manfully against ladder-leader Newbridge for three quarters last week and if they can replicate that intensity and effort for the full game on Saturday they will give themselves a chance of snapping their 11-game losing streak.

Last time: BL-Serpentine 24.18 (162) d Inglewood 5.4 (34).

Since 1995: BL-Serpentine 35; Inglewood 13.