BENDIGO ADDY FOOTY HQ

2.20pm Saturday at Eaglehawk.

It will have taken 637 days, but the Bendigo league will finally get its 2019 grand final re-match on Saturday between Eaglehawk and Strathfieldsaye at Canterbury Park.

Given the two sides have played off in the past three grand finals - with the ledger 2-1 in favour of the Storm - it's one of the marquee rivalries of the competition and, thankfully, spectators will be permitted back to watch the two heavyweights go at it.

While the powerhouse Storm is a club that is renowned for its winning ways, Canterbury Park hasn't been a happy hunting ground for Strathfieldsaye, which has lost its past four games at the venue, including the only defeat it suffered in 2019.

The Storm head to Canterbury Park on the back of a five-game winning streak, including a brutal 213-point demolition of Castlemaine last week.

Such has been their consistency of performance over their five-game streak, the Storm have won 18 of 20 quarters and been at least five goals up at half-time in each as they have been quick to assert their authority.

Conversely, the Hawks have lost their past two games to Gisborne (4 points) and Sandhurst (9) to slip from second to fifth, with wasteful kicking in front of goal proving costly.

The Hawks had more scoring shots than both the Bulldogs and Dragons, but a combined return of 18.32 cost them dearly.

The ban on Melbourne players having been lifted will give the side a boost as they strive to regain some momentum with the returns of key midfielders Billy Evans and Noah Wheeler, wingman Lewin Davis and forward Shaun Knott.

Last time: Strathfieldsaye 14.10 (94) def Eaglehawk 10.20 (80) - 2019 grand final.

Head to Head: Eaglehawk 15; Strathfieldsaye 15.

2.20pm Saturday at Castlemaine.

Castlemaine will welcome the chance to get back onto the smaller confines of Camp Reserve - albeit against an opponent it hasn't beaten since 2005 - after last week's scoreless 213-point loss to Strathfieldsaye.

The winless Magpies have now conceded three consecutive scores above 200 - 213 against Strathfieldsaye, 207 against Sandhurst and 225 against Gisborne - as the backline has been under constant assault with little respite.

And the Magpies' defence could be in for another arduous Saturday afternoon if the Golden Square midfield runs riot and creates plenty of opportunities for the likes of Joel Brett, Jayden Burke and Jake Thrum - who are all in the competition's top seven goalkickers - to hit the scoreboard.

Last time: Golden Square 20.23 (143) def Castlemaine 4.3 (27).

Since 1995: Golden Square 37; Castlemaine 14.

2.20pm Saturday at Gisborne.

The Gisborne side will resemble more of a familiar look to it this week with the Melbourne travel ban having been lifted.

Following their 2-2 start, the Bulldogs have now got their season rolling with three wins in a row during which they have outscored their opposition - Castlemaine, Eaglehawk and Kyneton - 64 goals to 17.

It would take a massive upset from Maryborough to prevent the third-placed Bulldogs from making it four wins in a row.

The Magpies have lost five on the trot, which is hardly the formline you want to be taking on one of the toughest road trips in the competition to Gardiner Reserve.

Gun midfielder Bailey Edwards continues to impress having now been among the Magpies' best three players during their past six games.

Last time: Gisborne 21.21 (147) def Maryborough 6.8 (44).

Head to Head: Gisborne 35; Maryborough 5.

2.20pm Saturday at Kyneton.

Much like Gisborne, Kyneton is also a major benefactor of Melbourne-based players permitted to return to the competition this weekend given the club last week had to borrow five players from Woodend-Heskett to ensure it could field a reserves team.

The Tigers sit in seventh position with a 3-4 record and will need to be at their best over four quarters if they are to become the first team this season to beat Sandhurst.

The 7-0 Dragons continue to answer every challenge thrown at them after last week overcoming Eaglehawk by nine points.

But the Tigers on their home deck - particularly on a cold mid-June day - with a rejuvenated side of returning Melbourne players certainly have the capacity to make for a difficult afternoon for the ladder-leading Dragons.

Last time: Sandhurst 17.18 (120) def Kyneton 11.11 (77).

Since 1995: Sandhurst 40; Kyneton 11; Drawn 2.

2.20pm Saturday at QEO.

Buoyed by its breakthrough first win of the season, Kangaroo Flat's youngsters will relish the opportunity to show their wares on the marquee stage of the QEO.

Last week's win over Maryborough was reward for persistence for coach James Flaherty's Roos that provided some much-needed scoreboard nourishment given their score of 18.10 (118) came after they had averaged just 33 points for the first six rounds.

Now they get a crack against a South Bendigo side that after bursting out of the blocks with a 4-0 start - including impressive wins over Eaglehawk and Gisborne - has dropped its past three games and needs a steadying victory or risk dropping eight points outside the top five.

Last time: South Bendigo 15.8 (98) def Kangaroo Flat 4.14 (38).

Since 1995: South Bendigo 35; Kangaroo Flat 17; Drawn 1.

Adam Bourke (28) - Strathfieldsaye, Golden Square, Gisborne, Sandhurst, South Bendigo.

Luke West (27) - Strathfieldsaye, Golden Square, Gisborne, Sandhurst, South Bendigo.

Richard Jones (27) - Strathfieldsaye, Golden Square, Gisborne, Sandhurst, South Bendigo.

45 - Lachlan Sharp

(Strathfieldsaye)

28 - Pat McKenna

(Gisborne)

25 - Kaiden Antonowicz

(South Bendigo)

23 - Darcy Richards

(Eaglehawk)

22 - Joel Brett

(Golden Square)

20 - Jayden Burke

(Golden Square)

19 - Jake Thrum

(Golden Square)

19 - Jack Dye

(Eaglehawk)

19 - Jack Scanlon

(Gisborne)

19 - Joel Wharton

(Sandhurst)

............................................

2.15pm Saturday at Elmore.

Wins have been few and far between for the Bloods and Saints so far, with just three from their combined 15 games.

This contest though provides a genuine winning opportunity for both to round out the first half of the season on a positive.

Both teams have played good football in patches throughout the season, with the challenge to be who can sustain it for longer on Saturday?

Last time: Elmore 13.12 (90) def Heathcote 13.11 (89).

Since 1995: Elmore 34; Heathcote 22; Drawn 1.

2.15pm Saturday at Lockington.

While Lockington-Bamawm United and White Hills are garnering plenty of attention and headlines as the two standout sides, North Bendigo is just quietly going about its business with a minimum of fuss.

The reigning premier Bulldogs are tracking along solidly in third position with a 5-2 record and coming off a 46-point victory over Elmore last week.

For so long the Bulldogs have been the hunted in the HDFNL, but this time they will be hunting the scalp of the ladder-leading Cats at Lockington.

Athletic Bulldogs' forward Dylan Klemm is one of the form players of the competition having been named North Bendigo's best in four of its past five games, while stalwarts Aarryn Craig and Jordan Ford have been ultra-consistent.

The Cats are now the only undefeated team in the competition after their demolition job on White Hills last week.

Since surviving a scare from Huntly in round six the Cats have responded with wins by 127 points over Leitchville-Gunbower and 133 against an under-manned White Hills to stamp their authority on the competition.

Saturday at home presents another opportunity for the Cats to further strengthen their credentials.

Last time: North Bendigo 20.7 (127) def LBU 19.12 (126).

Head to Head: LBU 22; North Bendigo 20.

2.15pm Saturday at Huntly.

White Hills will unveil mid-season recruit Brent Guerra for the first time on Saturday, now giving the Demons three former AFL players in their side along with coach Sam Kerridge and star forward Jed Lamb.

The return of their Melbourne cohort of players will ensure a far superior White Hills side takes to the field on Saturday compared to the team that copped a shellacking from LBU last week.

The Hawks on their home deck shouldn't be any pushover, while teenager Flynn Campbell can no doubt expect to have plenty of attention paid to him after his 10-goal bag in last week's 88-point win over Leitchville-Gunbower.

Last time: White Hills 16.5 (101) def Huntly 10.11 (71).

Since 1995: Huntly 27; White Hills 26.

2.15pm Saturday at Toolleen.

Clash of traditional rivals with plenty to play for in terms of the double chance.

Given how far ahead of the pack LBU and White Hills are, there looks to be only one spot up for grabs in the top three, with the Grasshoppers (4th) and Blues (5th) among the contending pack.

Will be interesting to see how Colbinabbin returns having not played since May 22, while the Blues have a came back under their belt after beating Heathcote by 60 points last week.

Last time: Colbinabbin 14.17 (101) def Mount Pleasant 4.11 (35).

Since 1995: Colbinabbin 39; Mount Pleasant 24.

Luke West (28) - Elmore, Lockington-Bamawm United, White Hills, Mount Pleasant.

Adam Bourke (28) - Elmore, Lockington-Bamawm United, White Hills, Colbinabbin.

54 - Jed Lamb

(White Hills)

23 - James Harney

(Elmore)

23 - Ben Weightman

(Mount Pleasant)

22 - Jarod Bacon

(LBU)

19 - Thomas Leech

(LBU)

18 - James McPhee

(LBU)

17 - Shane Harris

(North Bendigo)

16 - Stephen Tuohey

(Colbinabbin)

16 - Lachlan Collins

(LBU)

15 - Mitch Dole

(White Hills)

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Weekend fixture of matches is to be ratified at a meeting tonight.

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