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2.20pm Saturday at Maryborough.

Tough run of matches continues for the Magpies.

The Magpies have copped finals-bound sides Golden Square (lost by 55); Sandhurst (lost by 21); and Eaglehawk (lost by 116) in their past three games and now face another of the competition big guns in second-placed Gisborne, who they haven't beaten since 2010.

Gun midfielder Ethan Minns is in ripping form for the Bulldogs, while Pat McKenna (forward) and Tim Walsh (back) are both proving strong key position pillars at either end.

Last time: Gisborne 24.16 (160) def Maryborough 7.6 (48).

Head to head: Gisborne 34; Maryborough 5.

2.20pm Saturday at Eaglehawk.

A top-three defining game between the Hawks and Bulldogs, who are each locked on 44 points, but Eaglehawk holding a superior percentage advantage of 188.7 to Square's 172.9.

The prize for the winner is the opportunity to be a game clear in third position with three rounds remaining and therefore have their double chance destiny in their own hands.

The Bulldogs won their round six encounter by 10 points, but this time will confront an Eaglehawk side that is in far better form, having won seven in a row by an average of 88 points, not to mention the return bout is at Canterbury Park.

If the game is still up for grabs at three quarter-time will be intriguing to see who can get the upper hand in the final term given the way both teams have been finishing games off of late.

The Hawks have produced last quarters of 62-1, 38-1, 47-7, 29-12 and 27-8 - a total of 203-29 - in their past five games.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs' last quarter scorelines in their past five games read 39-8, 45-9, 46-14, 24-3 and 34-1 - a combined 188-35.

Last time: Golden Square 11.15 (81) def Eaglehawk 10.11 (71).

Since 1995: Golden Square 35; Eaglehawk 23.

2.20pm Saturday at QEO.

Less than a kick in it last time these two sides met, with the Tigers scraping over the line by five points thanks to a late Mitch Comben goal.

At that stage of the season the Tigers were holding together well at 3-3, but have since gone 1-7 over their past eight games.

Just two wins to round 14 would be well below the pre-season expectations of the Bloods, whose standout has been midfielder Brody Haddow, while forward Kaiden Antonowicz (45 goals) is now the only player in the competition to have kicked a goal in every game his team has played.

Recent history suggests this one could go down to the wire given four of the past six meetings between the Tigers and Bloods have been decided by a kick.

Last time: Kyneton 14.13 (97) def South Bendigo 13.14 (92).

Since 1995: South Bendigo 32; Kyneton 18; Drawn 1.

2.20pm Saturday at Strathfieldsaye.

The Storm last week began their run of five games in a row against the bottom five sides with a 171-point win over Kyneton that boosted their already impressive percentage to 258.8.

Can't help but wonder just what that percentage may grow to once the Storm are done with the Roos, Castlemaine, South Bendigo and Maryborough over the next month, because with competition for spots in the side red-hot, there's unlikely to be any let-up as the Tigers found out last week.

An already tough ask for the Roos to be competitive out at Tannery Lane is all the more difficult without forward Matt Boland, who has suffered another calf injury in what's been a cursed season for the key recruit.

Last time: Strathfieldsaye 20.15 (135) def Kangaroo Flat 8.11 (59).

Head to head: Strathfieldsaye 18; Kangaroo Flat 3.

1.20pm Sunday at QEO.

The first and only trip to the QEO for the Magpies this year and hopefully, for their sake it's a far more competitive one than their last to headquarters when they were held goal-less by the Dragons late last year.

Looms as a one-sided contest, but hopefully, a decent crowd gets along to watch, with the match a fund-raiser for former Dragons junior Jackson Davie as he continues his rehabilitation from a spinal injury.

Last time: Sandhurst 22.13 (145) def Castlemaine 5.10 (40).

Since 1995: Sandhurst 35; Castlemaine 15; Drawn 1.

READ MORE - BENDIGO ADDY FOOTY CHALLENGE - week 16 scores

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2.15pm Saturday at Calivil.

The Demons looked cooked when they were languishing at 1-6, yet in what has been a gritty turnaround there's every chance that if they can knock off Pyramid Hill at home by 5pm Saturday they will be in the top five.

Plenty of incentive on the line for the Demons, but so too is there for the Bulldogs, who could surrender top spot if beaten.

Last time: Pyramid Hill 13.19 (97) def Calivil United 10.5 (65).

Head to head: Calivil United 33; Pyramid Hill 24.

2.15pm Saturday at Newbridge.

Only pride left to play for the Maroons, who have struggled to impact the scoreboard, being held to just 49, 54 and 44 in their past three games, which have all been losses - albeit with somewhat of a silver lining with plenty of young players getting senior exposure.

The young Maroons come up against a Bears side that has the motivation of playing to keep hold of its one-game break in the top three.

Last time: BL-Serpentine 11.10 (76) def Newbridge 10.8 (68).

Since 1995: Newbridge 26; BL-Serpentine 26.

2.15pm Saturday at Mitiamo.

To be any chance of forcing their way back into the finals the Mean Machine need to conjure an away victory against the Superoos ahead of the bye next week.

An upset win would at least ensure the Mean Machine went into round 18 sitting in the top five, and then having an anxious wait next week for other results.

But for that to happen they'll need to be at their absolute best to be a chance of toppling the Superoos, who are still vieing for top spot.

Last time: Mitiamo 18.10 (118) def Bridgewater 9.9 (63).

Since 1995: Mitiamo 25; Bridgewater 25; Drawn 1.

2.15pm Saturday at Maiden Gully.

The Eagles knocked over the top side Pyramid Hill last week and now take on the bottom side Blues.

Last week's form, plus playing on their home ground and needing to win to keep in the double chance hunt, points to a comfortable win for the Eagles.

Last time: Maiden Gully YCW 23.12 (150) def Inglewood 13.8 (86).

Since 1995: Maiden Gully YCW 40; Inglewood 10.

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2.15pm Saturday at Gunbower.

The young Hawks have had a week to freshen up ahead of the trip to Gunbower to take on the Bombers.

Nine losses in a row for the Hawks, while the Bombers - who have gone WLWLWL in their past six games - should secure another four points in their fight to lock up a finals berth.

Last time: Leitchville-Gunbower 26.10 (166) def Huntly 6.6 (42).

Head to head: Leitchville-Gunbower 17; Huntly 4.

2.15pm Saturday at North Bendigo.

Given this is first v second, could be a potential grand final preview as the Bulldogs host the Cats.

Could this be the game the Bulldogs' winning run of 34 in a row at home comes to an end, or will last week's massive scare from Elmore give North Bendigo a timely jolt with finals on the horizon?

Bulldogs coach Matt Dillon admitted his side showed up at Elmore last Saturday with the mindset of "we just thought it would be an easy game, we'd turn up and get the four points."

They won't fall into that trap again against the hungry Cats in what shapes as a physical contest where the winner will be sitting a game clear on top of the ladder.

Last time: North Bendigo 11.13 (79) def LBU 8.7 (55).

Head to head: LBU 22; North Bendigo 19.

2.15pm Saturday at White Hills.

Couple of milestones for the Demons, with captain David Wright playing club game 250 and Gavin Bowles senior game 150.

Given they have won 17 in a row against White Hills and have been the better performed of the two this season, history points to a Grasshoppers' victory, but there was less than a kick in it back in round seven, so this group of Demons' players know they have what it takes to match their long-time nemesis.

Last time: Colbinabbin 8.20 (68) def White Hills 9.12 (66).

Since 1995: Colbinabbin 42; White Hills 9.

2.15pm Saturday at Toolleen.

Should be a bounce-back win for the Blues at home. Although, very much a danger game given only inaccurate kicking cost Heathcote the chance of knocking over Mount Pleasant in round seven and the Saints are producing good football in patches, but can they string it together for four quarters?

Last time: Mount Pleasant 14.11 (95) def Heathcote 10.18 (78).

Since 1995: Mount Pleasant 35; Heathcote 16.

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