If the top four teams heading into the round - Strathdale-Maristians, Eaglehawk, Bendigo United and Strathfieldsaye - all win, which they're expected to do, there'll be two games and significant net run rate between the top four and the rest.

While this weekend only marks the one-third point of the season, and there's plenty of cricket to be played in the new year, the Suns, Hawks, Redbacks and Jets will be mighty hard to run down.

On the flipside, an upset win on Saturday for a club outside of the top four, could be the springboard they need to make a big jump in the second-half of the season.

At this stage, the team most likely to do that is Sandhurst. The Dragons travel to Canterbury Park on Saturday to play Eaglehawk.

The other team outside of the four that the top clubs will be warily looking over their shoulders at is Kangaroo Flat.

BDCA round six preview:

Harry Trott Oval, 12.30pm

Bendigo United deservedly starts a warm favourite on its home deck.

Aside from a top-order collapse in a narrow loss to Eaglehawk, the Redbacks haven't put a foot wrong in the first five rounds of the season.

To capitalise on that good start the Redbacks can't afford to let points slip against a White Hills side that hasn't clicked yet.

The Demons are 1-4 and desperately need some of their second-tier players to stand up and support Rhys Irwin, Gavin Bowles and Mitch Winter-Irving.

Spin will play a big factor on both sides. Redbacks' teens Henry Edwards and Xavier Austin have shown plenty, while leggie Nick Wallace is in good form for the Demons.

Last time: Bendigo United 5-153 d White Hills 7-150

Selection: Bendigo United

Player of the match tip: Clayton Holmes (Bendigo United)

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Tannery Lane, 12.30pm

Strathfieldsaye used its get out of jail free card last week against the Power and skipper Ben Devanny will be hoping for a better performance against the Bulldogs.

Much like Bendigo United, Strathfieldsaye's great start to the summer would lose some gloss if it let this one slip.

The Jets' bowling depth is as good as any in the competition and that's where they'll put pressure on a Golden Square batting line-up that lacks depth.

Square skipper Liam Smith has batted for long periods and Scott Trollope is dangerous. They'll need to bat well to give their side any chance of chasing down or setting a total.

The Tannery Lane pitch suits the Jets' bowlers, so if the Dogs were to at first any score of 150 plus would be competitive.

Last time: Strathfieldsaye 8-142 d Golden Square 8-141

Selection: Strathfieldsaye

Player of the match tip: Ben Devanny (Strathfieldsaye)

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Read more: Goers upstage Bendigo United in T20

Strauch Reserve, 12.30pm

Huntly-North Epsom might be the best-performed winless team we've seen in modern times.

The Power have been a winning chance in all but one of their five games and, with a touch of luck, could have a 2-3 or 3-2 record.

A change of luck, combined with some solid performances from the likes of Elliott Massina, Danushka Wijemanna, Ryan Grundy and Adam Ward, might be enough for the Power to defeat a Bendigo team that is on the improve.

Xavier Ryan and Bailey George are in good form at the top of the order, while Bailey Goodwin had a good day with the ball last week.

The missing link with the bat for the Goers at the moment is Kyle Humphrys.

The star left-hander, including two T20 games, has a highest score of 27 this season in the BDCA. In 10 first XI innings since making a fine century against Kangaroo Flat in round eight last season, Humphrys is averaging 15.3.

Last time: Huntly-North Epsom 2-115 d Bendigo 113

Selection: Huntly-North Epsom

Player of the match tip: Elliott Massina (Huntly-North Epsom)

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Bell Oval, 12.30pm

The Suns and Roos meet for the first time since last season's grand final, which the Suns won by six wickets.

The Roos finally broke through for their first win of the season last week and their position on the ladder (eighth) is not a true reflection of their ability.

To at least stretch the Suns, the Roos need to, firstly, bat out their 45 overs and, secondly, don't let the Strathdale spinners control play.

The Suns are on top of the ladder, but it's not as if they're absolutely flying at the moment - an ominous sign for those trying to dethrone them.

The most intriguing part of the Suns' game at the moment is their batting and which order skipper Cam Taylor elects to roll with this week - particularly against a Kangaroo Flat side that has a potent new-ball attack.

Last time: Strathdale-Maristians 4-154 d Kangaroo Flat 8-153

Selection: Strathdale-Maristians

Player of the match tip: Cam Taylor (Strathdale-Maristians)

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Canterbury Park, 12.30pm

A danger game for the home side.

The Hawks' hierarchy would love to see at least one of their top-order players turn a start into a big score.

Anthony West (80 in round three) and Josh Williams (59 in round one) are the only two players to score half-centuries this year. The Hawks have had a lot of 30s and 40s.

It's worked well against lesser opposition, but in big games and against quality rivals the Hawks will likely need someone in their top four to post a big score.

Sandhurst's best form is good enough to win the game, particularly if Joel Murphy and/or Dylan Gibson get going at the top of the order.

Eaglehawk's better bowling depth might be the difference.

Last time: Eaglehawk 8-184 d Sandhurst 142

Selection: Eaglehawk

Player of the match tip: Josh Williams (Eaglehawk)

1. Strathdale-Maristians

Record: 4-1 Points: 24

2. Eaglehawk

Record: 4-1 Points: 24

3. Bendigo United

Record: 4-1 Points: 24

4. Strathfieldsaye

Record: 4-1 Points: 24

5. Sandhurst

Record: 3-2 Points: 18

6. Bendigo

Record: 2-3 Points: 12

7. Golden Square

Record: 2-3 Points: 12

8. Kangaroo Flat

Record: 1-4 Points: 6

9. White Hills

Record: 1-4 Points: 6

10. Huntly-North Epsom

Record: 0-5 Points: 0

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