READ MORE - LVFNL mid-season netball review

BENDIGO league A Grade netball mid-season review:

Record - 7-1

Percentage - 156.8%

Average for - 59

Average against - 38

Attack rank - 1st

Defence rank - 2nd

Highest score - 72

Lowest score - 38

The Dragons have won the past two premierships and at the halfway mark of their three-peat pursuit are on top.

Their sole loss has been a 15-goal defeat to their No.1 threat in Gisborne when they were restricted to a score of just 38 - well below their season average of a competition-high 59.

Five of their seven wins have been by 24-goals plus, hence already their massive goal difference of +171.

Record - 7-1

Percentage - 141.5%

Average for - 54

Average against - 38

Attack rank - 2nd

Defence rank - 3rd

Highest score - 78

Lowest score - 44

Are playing with the added determination of trying to go one better than last year after losing the 2018 grand final to Sandhurst by six goals.

Struck a hurdle on the eve of the season with coach Kim Bailey stepping down, but it certainly hasn't derailed their premiership push.

The only team to have beaten Sandhurst so far, while their only defeat has been by the barest of margins - one goal - to Eaglehawk.

The Bulldogs have finished 4^th, 3^{rd and} 2^nd the past three years on what's a trajectory that bodes well come September.

Record - 5-1-2

Percentage - 118.0%

Average for - 51

Average against - 43

Attack rank - 3rd

Defence rank - 4th

Highest score - 56

Lowest score - 43

In the shadows of the two power sides in Sandhurst and Gisborne with five wins, but like the Dragons and Bulldogs could so easily have seven victories as well.

The Hawks have been involved in a pair of draws against South Bendigo and Kangaroo Flat and are the only team to have knocked over Gisborne with their 48-47 win in round seven.

Haven't won a final after finishing in the top five the past two seasons. Well positioned to have another crack at the business end.

Record - 5-2-1

Percentage - 141.7%

Average for - 49

Average against - 35

Attack rank - 4th

Defence rank - 1st

Highest score - 64

Lowest score - 38

Sitting fourth on the ladder for the simple fact they haven't been able to beat any of the teams above them - albeit they have been on the cusp in all three games against the Dragons, Bulldogs and Hawks.

Lost to Sandhurst by five, Gisborne by one and drew with Eaglehawk last week.

The No.1 ranked defensive team and clearly their best is good enough to match it with the three sides above them.

Record - 3-4-1

Percentage - 87.1%

Average for - 44

Average against - 50

Attack rank - 6th

Defence rank - 6th

Highest score - 53

Lowest score - 28

Could this be the year the Bloods' finals drought ends?

They have a one-game buffer in the top five at the halfway mark having won three of their past five matches.

Haven't been able to beat a fellow top five side yet, but pushed Eaglehawk all the way in round two in a hard-fought 48-all draw.

Record - 2-5-1

Percentage - 96.8%

Average for - 45

Average against - 47

Attack rank - 5th

Defence rank - 5th

Highest score - 59

Lowest score - 31

The Tigers were without an A Grade team last year and have already notched two wins - plus a draw - in the first half of their return.

A percentage of 96.8 shows just how competitive the re-emerging Tigers have been, with their only blowout loss so far a 21-goal defeat to Eaglehawk in round eight.

Record - 2-5-1

Percentage - 74.9%

Average for - 42

Average against - 56

Attack rank - 7th

Defence rank - 9th

Highest score - 60

Lowest score - 32

Same as Kyneton - two wins and a draw.

Only a game outside the top five, so still not out of the question that they can play finals for the first time since 2014, but certainly have the job ahead of them.

A positive for the Magpies is they have cut their scores against by six goals per game on last year - albeit their average score against of 56 is still the highest in the competition.

Record - 2-6

Percentage - 78.4%

Average for - 40

Average against - 52

Attack rank - 8th

Defence rank - 7th

Highest score - 56

Lowest score - 27

New-look squad at the Storm, who with two wins have already at least doubled last year's tally of one.

Produced their highest score of the season last week in a 56-43 win over Maryborough that could be the catalyst for further improvement to come in the second half of the season.

Record - 0-8

Percentage - 50.1%

Average for - 26

Average against - 52

Attack rank - 9th

Defence rank - 8th

Highest score - 44

Lowest score - 15

Very much a rebuilding year for Golden Square after losing a large chunk of experience from last season.

It has been a tough grind for the young Bulldogs, who only twice in their eight games have scored more than 30 goals.

Almost pinched a win in round five when they were beaten by just two against Maryborough.

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