Weekend football preview, how they match-up, selections - BFNL, LVFNL, HDFNL

READ MORE - Above or below average, how is your team faring: BFNL, HDNFL, LVFNL, NCFL

READ MORE - BENDIGO ADDY FOOTY CHALLENGE - week eight scores

READ MORE - Leitchville-Gunbower's Prout to captain Vic Country under-19 team

2.20pm Saturday at Kangaroo Flat.

Both the Roos and Magpies head into this clash off their second victories of the season and the opportunity to go back-to-back - a feat Maryborough hasn't achieved since 2014.

While the Magpies look to be headed back in the right direction, one of their next challenges is to start winning away from home: they are 1-39 from their past 40 games away from Princes Park ahead of this road trip to take on a similarly-matched opponent.

Last time: Kangaroo Flat 13.22 (90) def Maryborough 11.8 (74).

2.20pm Saturday at Castlemaine.

What can the Magpies offer up on their home ground coming off a dismal 222-point hiding from Strathfieldsaye last week?

There was plenty of optimism at the start of the season at the Magpies off the back of the Angus Monfries signing to go with a host of other recruits, but it's already hard to see where they can pinch a win from.

Another tough gig awaits against Golden Square that will want to sharpen up in front of goal given it has kicked 19.32 in its past two games, with its inaccuracy last week costing it dearly against Sandhurst.

Last time: Golden Square 33.16 (214) def Castlemaine 1.2 (8).

2.20pm Saturday at Gisborne.

The Dragons will need to re-produce every bit of the grit and determination that got them over the line against Golden Square by one point last week if they are to emerge from 'The Graveyard' with the four points.

The scoring potency of the Bulldogs was once again on display last week when, even with their inaccuracy, they kicked a tally of 125 against Eaglehawk.

Like both teams experienced last week, this is another of those "eight point" games that will be double chance defining.

Last time: Sandhurst 13.10 (88) def Gisborne 9.11 (65) - elimination final.

2.20pm Saturday at Kyneton.

Consecutive losses for the Hawks, who will be looking to the trip to Kyneton to regain some mojo.

Despite the contrasting expectations on both sides this year - the Hawks were again tipped to challenge for the flag; the Tigers to slip significantly - there is only one game difference between the two.

You'd expect the Hawks to bounce back, but the Tigers are proving that the trip down to the Showgrounds still poses a challenge.

Last time: Eaglehawk 22.17 (149) def Kyneton 5.7 (37) - qualifying final.

2.20pm Saturday at Strathfieldsaye.

Six losses in a row for the Bloods and now the BFNL's ultimate litmus test - Strathfieldsaye at Tannery Lane.

The Storm have produced a devastating first seven games as their monster percentage of 272.3 will attest, with the calibre of talent at the club highlighted by Lachlan Wallace, Lachlan Gill, Bailey Henderson and Hunter Lawrence all in the Victoria Country under-19 squad playing against the Amateurs on Saturday.

Last time: Strathfieldsaye 13.19 (97) def South Bendigo 5.9 (39).

2.15pm Saturday at Newbridge.

Last year's premier team, the Maroons, who are outside the top five, host the team that is carrying the tag as this year's flag favourites, the Bulldogs.

The 7-0 Bulldogs continue to answer every challenge thrown at them, with their array of forward options highlighted by the quartet of Bailey George, Braidy Dickens, Billy Micevski and Jack Woodward all having hit the scoreboard in every game so far.

Last time: Newbridge 14.10 (94) def Pyramid Hill 7.10 (52).

2.15pm Saturday at Mitiamo.

The season started promising for the Panthers, but just one win in their past five games has resulted in Marong gradually slipping from second down to seventh on the ladder.

Tough ask to stop their slide with an away match against the in-form Mitiamo that is riding a five-game winning streak and has gun midfielders Terry Reeves and Dougie Thomas starring in the engine room.

Last time: Mitiamo 22.16 (148) def Marong 8.8 (56).

2.15pm Saturday at Maiden Gully.

Shapes as a ripper of a match - both teams are 4-3, separated by just seven per cent and starting to get rolling after sluggish starts to the season.

Given the way Pyramid Hill and Mitiamo are tracking, it most likely leaves just one spot available in the top three, making this a clash of vital importance - albeit in June - between two of the teams eyeing it off.

The Eagles' Brayden Aitken can expect some extra defensive attention from the Bears given his 10-goal haul against Inglewood last week.

Last time: BL-Serpentine 13.14 (92) def Maiden Gully YCW 10.8 (68).

2.15pm Saturday at Raywood.

The two bottom teams that between them have won just one game for the season.

It's particularly foreign territory for Calivil United to be in such a position of 1-6 - the last time the Demons went into round nine with just one win on the board was in 1995.

Highlighting just how long ago that was, Carlton was the best side in the AFL.

Last time: Calivil United 14.15 (99) def Inglewood 6.4 (40).

2.15pm Saturday at Elmore.

The Cats have dropped back-to-back games to Mount Pleasant and North Bendigo - poor third quarters a common denominator in both - but should get back on the winner's list this week in what is Nathan O'Brien's 150^th game.

The Bloods have gone off the boil; their 2-1 start has since been followed by three losses in a row totaling 272 points, with the side desperately needing to regain some of its early-season spark.

Last time: LBU 26.11 (167) def Elmore 7.6 (48).

2.15pm Saturday at North Bendigo.

Top versus bottom in this match-up as the Bulldogs look to extend their winning streak at home to 32 on the trot against an opponent they have beaten 11 consecutive times.

The Saints under new coach Wayne Primmer have been persistent this season without being able to break through for a win yet and now confront the team that is ranked No.1 for both attack and defence

Last time: North Bendigo 28.25 (193) def Heathcote 2.3 (15).

2.15pm Saturday at White Hills.

Should be a third win of the season for the Demons against the Hawks, whose drop-off from the team that finished top three last year has been significant.

The Hawks have copped three losses by more than 100 points in their six games ahead of a tussle with the Demons, who have felt the fine line of footy with two of their past three games losses by less than a kick.

Last time: Huntly 17.12 (114) def White Hills 8.10 (58).

2.15pm Saturday at Toolleen.

Great to see these traditional Heathcote District clubs again involved in a big game against each other - arguably the most significant since their last finals meeting back in 2007 given how they are both tracking.

Both clubs are well and truly in the premiership conversation, each laying a solid foundation at 5-1.

A strong showing from Colbinabbin was expected this year, while the Blues' improvement is on the fast track as shown by their victories already against North Bendigo and LBU.

Last time: Colbinabbin 19.10 (124) def Mount Pleasant 9.9 (63).

Adam Bourke (31) - Kangaroo Flat, Golden Square, Gisborne, Eaglehawk, Strathfieldsaye.

Luke West (30) - Kangaroo Flat, Golden Square, Gisborne, Eaglehawk, Strathfieldsaye.

Richard Jones (30) - Kangaroo Flat, Golden Square, Gisborne, Eaglehawk, Strathfieldsaye.

Anthony Pinda (28) - Kangaroo Flat, Golden Square, Sandhurst, Eaglehawk, Strathfieldsaye.

Kieran Iles (27) - Maryborough, Golden Square, Gisborne, Eaglehawk, Strathfieldsaye.

Kieran Iles (23) - Pyramid Hill, Mitiamo, Maiden Gully YCW, Calivil United.

Anthony Pinda (23) - Pyramid Hill, Marong, Maiden Gully YCW, Calivil United.

Adam Bourke (22) - Pyramid Hill, Mitiamo, Maiden Gully YCW, Calivil United.

Luke West (21) - Pyramid Hill, Mitiamo, Maiden Gully YCW, Calivil United.

Luke West (24) - LBU, North Bendigo, White Hills, Colbinabbin.

Adam Bourke (23) - LBU, North Bendigo, White Hills, Colbinabbin.

Anthony Pinda (21) - LBU, North Bendigo, White Hills, Colbinabbin.

Kieran Iles (21) - LBU, North Bendigo, White Hills, Colbinabbin.

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.