Golden Square should stretch its dominance over Kangaroo Flat to an amazing 38 games.

It's been 18 years since the Roos have beaten the Bulldogs and recent form suggests the streak will enter a 19^th season.

With key players like Nick Lang and Matt Boland on the sidelines injured, the Roos don't have the class or depth to go with top five teams for long periods.

The Bulldogs are in the middle of a big battle for the double chance and they need the four points plus percentage to enhance their top three prospects.

Last time: Golden Square 14.23 (107) def Kangaroo Flat 4.11 (35).

Since 1995: Golden Square 41; Kangaroo Flat 9.

2.20pm Saturday at Castlemaine.

At the start of the season this would have been a game Castlemaine had pencilled in as a potential win.

Now, it's a case of wanting to be competitive on the scoreboard.

There was only 15 points between the two teams in round two, but since then Maryborough has improved significantly, while little has gone right for Castlemaine.

Maryborough should record its fifth win of the season and consolidate sixth place on the ladder.

Last time: Maryborough 12.7 (79) def Castlemaine 9.10 (64).

Since 1995: Maryborough 32; Castlemaine 20.

2.20pm Saturday at Kyneton.

Kyneton coach Luke Beattie will be hoping the visit of neighbour Gisborne sparks his side.

Inconsistency has hurt Kyneton recently. The Tigers went from competitive against Sandhurst at the QEO to very poor against Golden Square.

If they repeat their Golden Square form then Gisborne will win by a cricket score.

Gisborne's loss to Square a fortnight ago stung the Bulldogs and they have little room for error in the race for the double chance.

Competition for spots inside Gisborne's best 22 is also starting to heat up, so individual players need to be at their best.

Last time: Gisborne 21.20 (146) def Kyneton 7.9 (51).

Head to head: Gisborne 27; Kyneton 10.

2.20pm Saturday at QEO.

What a week for the Borough. An upset win over Strathfieldsaye followed by the return of Brodie Filo has put the Hawks in premiership conversations.

The only good news for South Bendigo is Brodie Filo and Brodie Collins won't play for the Borough on Saturday.

One of the highlights of the game will be the battle between in-form South forward Kaiden Antonowicz and Eaglehawk defender Oscar Madden.

Last time: Eaglehawk 18.17 (125) def South Bendigo 7.6 (48).

Since 1995: South Bendigo 27; Eaglehawk 26.

2.20pm Saturday at Strathfieldsaye.

Playling Strathfieldsaye at Tannery Lane is hard enough, but playing a Strathfieldsaye side on the rebound from a loss at Tannery Lane is even tougher.

That's the prospect facing a Sandhurst side that is starting to gather some momentum.

The Dragons are getting closer to having their best team available and they look much more potent with Andrew Collins on the park. Opposition coaches would not be comfortable with the sight of Collins floating around the forward 50.

Strathfieldsaye will be itching to respond strongly to its worst defensive performance of the season.

Last time: Strathfieldsaye 12.17 (89) def Sandhurst 6.7 (43).

Head to head: Strathfieldsaye 16; Sandhurst 10.

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2.15pm Saturday at Marong.

After losing four of their previous five games, it's crunch time for Marong.

The Panthers probably need to win at least four of their final six games to have any chance of making the top five.

A home game against a hot and cold Eagles side is a great opportunity for Marong to turnaround its form.

The Eagles need a strong four-quarter performance to start building momentum towards finals.

Last time: Maiden Gully YCW 12.9 (81) def Marong 11.14 (80).

Since 1995: Maiden Gully YCW 31; Marong 18.

2.15pm Saturday at Mitiamo.

Hard to tip against Mitiamo after the Superoos quashed Pyramid Hill's winning streak last week.

Newbridge's best footy is good enough to challenge Mitiamo, but we haven't seen that form on a consistent basis this year.

The Maroons have the best percentage of the teams in the hunt for finals placed fourth to eighth.

With Mitiamo expected to beat all the teams in the hunt for fourth and fifth, a narrow defeat that doesn't hurt their percentage wouldn't be the worst result for the Maroons.

Last time: Mitiamo 16.12 (108) def Newbridge 5.6 (36).

Since 1995: Newbridge 28; Mitiamo 25.

2.15pm Saturday at Bridgewater.

Bridgewater has too much at stake to let this opportunity slip.

The Mean Machine need the four points and a percentage boost to enhance their finals chances.

Inglewood produced one of its better performances of the year last week. The big question is can the Blues play well two weeks in a row?

Last time: Bridgewater 12.17 (89) def Inglewood 8.14 (62).

Since 1995: Bridgewater 34; Inglewood 15.

2.15pm Saturday at Serpentine.

The most intriguing game of the round in the LVFNL.

The Bears have won four games in a row to surge into third spot on the ladder, while the resurgent Demons need to win five of their final six games to be in the finals hunt.

Despite being five places below the Bears on the ladder, the Demons have the firepower to go with the home side.

The Bears' strength is its in-form midfield group. If they dominate the stoppages then the Demons could be in for a long day.

Last time: BL-Serpentine 20.11 (131) def Calivil United 13.7 (85).

Since 1995: Calivil United 32; BL-Serpentine 22.

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2.15pm Saturday at Elmore.

Two of the youngest sides in the HDFNL go head-to-head and the Bloods should come out on top.

Elmore has more firepower up front and the Hawks continue to be hampered by injuries to experienced players.

Under new coach Stacy Fiske, the Hawks did improve defensively last week against North Bendigo.

If they can find a consistent avenue to goal they might stretch the Bloods.

Last time: Elmore 14.13 (97) def Huntly 14.10 (94).

Since 1995: Elmore 31; Huntly 21.

2.15pm Saturday at North Bendigo.

Don't expect this game to be as one-sided as North Bendigo's 70-point drubbing of the Bombers in round one.

While the Bulldogs go to another level on their home deck, the Bombers have made significant ground in recent weeks and, no matter what the result is on Saturday, appear to be finals-bound.

The battle between North's stingy defence and the Bombers' multi-pronged attack will be a highlight.

Last time: North Bendigo 17.12 (114) def Leitchville-Gunbower 6.8 (44).

Head to head: North Bendigo 16; Leitchville-Gunbower 10.

2.15pm Saturday at Lockington.

Huge game in the context of the season, with the winner almost certain to finish inside the top three.

After a blistering start to the season, LBU hasn't been in peak form in the past month, but the prospect of a finals-like clash with the Grasshoppers should bring the best out of the Cats.

Despite having an injury list the length of the Flemington straight, Colbo continues to get the job done.

Getting the scalp of the Cats would do wonders for the Hoppers' confidence looking ahead to September.

Last time: LBU 17.11 (113) def Colbinabbin 11.11 (77).

Head to head: Colbinabbin 25; LBU 18.

2.15pm Saturday at Toolleen.

D-day for White Hills. After having huge expectations in the pre-season, the Demons have slipped two games behind fifth-placed Leitchville-Gunbower.

The return of Jed Lamb will bolster White Hills' chances, but the Demons hopes rest on getting consistent contributions from their second-tier players.

Mounts can't afford to drop four points to White Hills if they want to have any chance of making the top three. After defeating North Bendigo and LBU in their first two home games of the season, Mounts have lost their past two home matches.

Last time: Mount Pleasant 18.14 (122) def White Hills 11.6 (72).

Since 1995: Mount Pleasant 41; White Hills 13.

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Charlton (5-4) v

Wyche-Narraport (1-8)

Wedderburn (5-4) v

Donald (5-4)

St Arnaud (3-6) v

Birchip-Watchem (8-1)

Sea Lake Nandaly (9-0) v

Boort (0-9)

All games Saturday, 2.30pm.

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