The Eagles, who are contesting only their second-ever BASL season, are the clear competition leaders in the women's division, having won 10 of 11 matches played.

Their only slight hiccup, if you could call it that - came in the form of a 2-all draw with Shepparton South, way back in April in round two.

Since then the Eagles (31 points) have powered their way to nine straight victories, to sit five points clear atop the championship ladder ahead of Strathfieldsaye Colts United and Strathdale, both on 26, with Shepparton South in fourth on 18 points.

Then follows a group of three teams - Eaglehawk (17), Shepparton United (16) and Moama-Echuca Border Raiders (16) - all with designs on forcing their way into the top four.

While it comes with the understanding of there being plenty more work to do and just as much to play out in terms of COVID-19 and what the rest of the season might look like, La Trobe University women's coach Sam Wheatley is quick to acknowledge his team has played itself into a strong position.

Wheatley, who doubles as the fledgling club's president, said the on field success of the women's team had given the league's newest club the necessary momentum to continue laying the groundwork for the future.

"I think it comes down to the culture, they are all a bunch of good mates on and off the field, that definitely helps," he said.

"It's probably half-half this season - half new girls, half existing players - so there was a bit of retention there. But it's been great getting some new people into the squad.

"While everyone's pleased with how the season's panned out so far, it's really about the culture for us and getting established.

"Off-field, we haven't been able to have many social events this year, but the ones we have had, there's been a really good vibe."

Like everyone, Wheatley had hoped for a quick end to lockdown, but the league has now lost multiple rounds and is looking at ways to catch-up, including the possibility of midweek matches.

Having occupied top spot since the completion of round five, Wheatley is expecting plenty of fierce challenges ahead once the season resumes, in what has evolved into the most competitive women's season in BASL history.

"We have had plenty of challenging games; we drew with Shepparton South, we also had a really close game with Colts and Spring Gully was a great contest," he said.

"We haven't actually got to play Strathdale yet, and we still have to play them twice, so we are really looking forward to that.

"The whole women's competition has been great this year - it's a pretty exciting time to be involved in women's football right now.

"There are no easy games, particularly among the top six.

"With so many talented footballers running around, it's going to be a tight race."

The Eagles' ascension to the top of the women's ladder has been in part inspired by the brilliant output of Holly Boldiston, who heads the competition with 39 goals in her first season at La Trobe.

Her impressive tally includes a haul of 13 goals against Epsom and bags of seven and six respectively against Golden City and Tatura.

Boldiston heads the table ahead of previous golden boot winners Alicia Rowan (Shepparton South) and Rebecca Berry (Strathfieldsaye Colts United), both on 32.

Wheatley said her impact had been immense.

"She only came into the side in the pre-season and when the girls got a chance to vote for a captain, they voted for her," he said.

"All of a sudden, she is scoring goals left right and centre in her first year in the Bendigo league.

"While Holly has been the main contributor, we have had a lot of girls chipping in - a lot of the midfelders have been scoring goals.

"Chloe Parker (eight goals) has been really good for us on and off the field, coming across from Eaglehawk.

"And while these girls have been good on the field, but what they contribute in the background to the culture is so much better.

"That certainly goes towards our success."

Other strong contributors on the scoresheet have been Wakilele Ezard (11 goals) and Olivia Kennedy (six goals).

Putting his president's hat back on, Wheatley felt the club had made solid progress since entering the league in 2019.

"In the women's comp, definitely; we're still working on the men's side of things," he said.

"We probably lost our whole senior men's squad (from 2019), so they're all pretty much new.

"But the culture is strong off the field between the men and women and we really have that one club feel.

"A great thing is that we're not all students, it's definitely open for anyone to come and play with us and quite a few aren't students.

"We want people from outside to help us keep this club going into the future."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: