READ MORE - BFNL open netball squad withdraws from 2019 association championship finals

BENDIGO ADVERTISER NETBALL HQ

HEATHCOTE District A Grade mid-season review:

Record - 8-0

Percentage - 164.3%

Average for - 55

Average against - 34

Attack rank - 2nd

Defence rank - 2nd

Highest score - 70

Lowest score - 46

A familiar position at the top of the ladder for the perennial power Grasshoppers.

Undefeated like they were at this stage the previous two years with an average winning margin of 21 goals, with all but two of their victories by double figures.

Once again looking on a September grand final collision course with White Hills as they aim to go one better than their runner-up finish to the Demons of last season.

Record - 7-1

Percentage - 278.0%

Average for - 73

Average against - 26

Attack rank - 1st

Defence rank - 1st

Highest score - 95

Lowest score - 36

Remarkable that the reigning premier Demons are only second on the ladder given their massive percentage of 278.0 and by a country mile have both the best attacking and defensive numbers.

Boast an average winning margin of 54 goals in their seven victories (not including season-opener against LBU, which is yet to be officially recorded) and are putting up some monster numbers.

Already have five scores of 80-plus, including the season's highest of 95 against LBU in round five, yet have to settle for second position given their 47-36 loss to arch-rival Colbinabbin.

Record - 5-3

Percentage - 117.8%

Average for - 45

Average against - 38

Attack rank - 3rd

Defence rank - 3rd

Highest score - 64

Lowest score - 31

Hard to see any team other than Colbinabbin or White Hills again competing on grand final day, with the Bloods so far carrying the mantle as best of the rest.

Won their past three games to grab a spot in the top three as they continue to build on their finals return last year.

Testing stretch coming up with Colbinabbin, Huntly and White Hills among their next four opponents.

Record - 4-3-1

Percentage - 90.1%

Average for - 37

Average against - 41

Attack rank - 6th

Defence rank - 4th

Highest score - 52

Lowest score - 26

The Blues are only half-a-game off third spot, but also just one game clear of sixth position as they chase a third-straight finals berth.

Been involved in four games so far decided by four goals or less for two wins (both by one against Leitchville-Gunbower and Elmore), a loss and a draw.

Only had one loss among their first six games in a solid start, but have since since dropped two in a row that has cost the Blues their spot in the top three.

Record - 4-4

Percentage - 106.1%

Average for - 44

Average against - 41

Attack rank - 4th

Defence rank - 5th

Highest score - 56

Lowest score - 30

The Hawks have a half-a-game buffer inside the top five in what has been a season where they are still striving to generate momentum.

Won their first two games, lost their next two, and have gone LWLW over their past four matches.

Along with North Bendigo, are one of only two sides to have got within a single-figure margin of Colbinabbin when they lost by nine to the Grasshoppers in round five.

Two massive games coming up over the next fortnight against the similarly-matched North Bendigo and Elmore.

Record - 3-4-1

Percentage - 89.0%

Average for - 43

Average against - 48

Attack rank - 5th

Defence rank - 6th

Highest score - 55

Lowest score - 32

Sitting outside the top five, but showed plenty last week in pushing ladder-leader Colbinabbin all the way in a tight four-goal loss.

The key to a bigger impact in the second half of the season will be finding more consistency given an array of fluctuating results so far, such as serving it right up to the top team, but also losing to the seventh-placed Leitchville-Gunbower in a missed opportunity for the Bulldogs.

Record - 3-5

Percentage - 64.1%

Average for - 31

Average against - 48

Attack rank - 7th

Defence rank - 7th

Highest score - 43

Lowest score - 12

Beaten their three fellow teams outside the top four, while stiff not to have also defeated Mount Pleasant when they lost by one.

Only need two more wins to improve on last year's tally of four, which would be a step back in the right direction.

Record - 1-7

Percentage - 51.4%

Average for - 28

Average against - 55

Attack rank - 8th

Defence rank - 9th

Highest score - 39

Lowest score - 14

Enduring another tough season. Won their first game against Heathcote by two, but have since suffered seven double-figure losses in a row.

Conceding the most goals per game of any side with 55.

Record - 0-8

Percentage - 52.8%

Average for - 27

Average against - 51

Attack rank - 9th

Defence rank - 8th

Highest score - 34

Lowest score - 13

Like the senior football team, the Saints' netballers have reached the halfway mark without a win.

Will get one of their golden opportunities of breaking their duck at home this Saturday against LBU.

Unlucky not to have two wins so far given they've twice lost by two to LBU in round one and Leitchville-Gunbower in round five.

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