Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
READ MORE - BENDIGO ADDY FOOTY CHALLENGE - week eight scores
THERE'S a saying in sport that it's difficult to get to the top, but even harder to stay there.
Yet that hasn't always been the case across the AFLCV region given the past decade has featured Bridgewater winning seven premierships in a row in the Loddon Valley league (2010-16); Golden Square five in a row in the Bendigo league (2009-13); Lockington-Bamawm United four in a row in the Heathcote District league (2011-14); and Wedderburn four in a row in the North Central league (2011-14).
However, the saying could be applied to the four reigning premier teams from the Bendigo (Eaglehawk), Heathcote District (Leitchville-Gunbower), Loddon Valley (Newbridge) and North Central (Wycheproof-Narraport) leagues, who after reaching the top of the mountain last year have all slipped so far in 2019.
Of those four reigning premier teams across the AFLCV region, only Eaglehawk (4-3) has a positive win-loss record approaching the first weekend in June; none of last year's flag winners are sitting any higher than fifth; and all four have been comfortably beaten in their grand final re-matches:
* Eaglehawk lost to Strathfieldsaye by 38 (87-point turnaround on 2018 grand final);
* Leitchville-Gunbower lost to North Bendigo by 70 (79-point turnaround);
* Newbridge lost to Mitiamo by 72 (116-point turnaround);
* Wycheproof-Narraport lost to Birchip-Watchem by 67 (101-point turnaround).
Combined, the four reigning premiers have an overall win-loss record of 11-17, while the four teams that suffered the agony of grand final defeat last year are all flying as they look to go one better.
In comparison to the reigning premiers' 11-17 record, the region's four runners-up of 2018 - Strathfieldsaye (7-0), North Bendigo (5-1), Mitiamo (6-1), Birchip-Watchem (6-1) - are a combined 24-3 and all either top or second.
REIGNING PREMIERS SNAPSHOT:
EAGLEHAWK
Record: 4-3, 127.7% (5th)
2018 premiership players to have played this year: 19 (combined for 109 of a maximum 154 games)
Compared to last year:
Points for per game:
2018: 115 2019: 103
Points against per game:
2018: 60 2019: 80
Player points per game:
2018: 34.1 2019: 33.6
Lost only 2018 premiership coach Josh Bowe, Nalder medallist Jonty Neaves and veteran Glenn Daly from the winning grand final team and then recruited strongly for their flag defence.
Have played the trio of teams currently in the top three and lost to them all - Strathfieldsaye (38), Golden Square (10) and Gisborne (30) - in what are the match-ups that are ultimately going to decide the double chance.
Scoring has dropped by two goals a game on last year's premiership and are conceding 20 points more.
Big positive for the Hawks though is after missing the first six games of the season, reigning best and fairest Jack Fallon returned to the side last weekend following his pre-season knee injury.
LEITCHVILLE-GUNBOWER
Record: 3-4, 107.4% (5th)
2018 premiership players to have played this year: 8 (combined for 49 of a maximum 154 games)
Compared to last year:
Points for per game:
2018: 121 2019: 77
Points against per game:
2018: 61 2019: 71
Player points per game:
2018: 38.6 2019: 35.4
There was a massive turnover at the Bombers after last year's second flag in a row to the extent that just eight members of the 2018 premiership side have taken to the field this year - Brady Hore, Daniel Coates, Hoby Bussey, Jake Vandongen, Lee Pollock, Liam Guinan, Logan Prout and Matt Pollock.
Still have the makings of one of the most dangerous forward lines in the competition with Coates, Vandongen, Jack Dye and Tyler Jones in the front half.
Yet it hasn't translated on the scoreboard - three times the Bombers have been held to less than 50 points in a game already, but there were signs of the Leitchy of recent years last week with their 26.10 (166) booted against Huntly to move back into the Heathcote District top five.
NEWBRIDGE
Record: 3-4, 107.4% (6th)
2018 premiership players to have played this year: 15 (combined for 95 of a maximum 154 games).
Compared to last year:
Points for per game:
2018: 102 2019: 78
Points against per game:
2018: 63 2019: 73
Player points per game:
2018: 41.6 2019: 37.7
The Maroons still have 15 of their premiership players - nine of whom who have played every game - running around, but are facing the prospect of being outside the top five at the halfway mark.
Moving captain Jordan Gilboy back into the middle, plus the losses of forwards Sam Mildren and Rhys Ford, has contributed to their scoring dipping from 102 points per game last year to 78.
Have mustered scores of just 68, 69 and 51 in their past three games - yet such is the evenness of the Loddon Valley league, although the Maroons are sixth, they are just one game off third position.
WYCHEPROOF-NARRAPORT
Record: 1-6, 60.9%, (7th)
2018 premiership players to have played this year: 13 (combined for 67 of a maximum 147 games).
Compared to last year:
Points for per game:
2018: 83 2019: 58
Points against per game:
2018: 58 2019: 96
Player points per game:
2018: 30.1 2019: 22.4
The Demons have won the past two flags, but look likely to finish above only the struggling Boort this year.
Have had 13 of last year's grand final team play this year, but two of those players - dual premiership coach Julian Bull (Colbinabbin) and Boe Bish (Newlyn) - only played cameo games to help out with numbers.
Not once during their back-to-back premiership seasons of 2017-18 did the Demons concede a score above 100, but that's already happened three times this year against St Arnaud (107), Wedderburn (104) and Sea Lake Nandaly (182).
Using bugger all player points - the AFLCV region's lowest of just 22.4 per game.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.