Shot difference - +144.

Shots for/agst - 656/512.

Players used - 21.

Skipper records:

Kevin Brennan (7-1, +59)

Brad Campbell (5-2-1, +66)

Kevin Anderson (4-2, +41)

Paul Newcombe (2-5, -14)

The association newcomers joined the competition tipped to be one of the top flag contenders and so far have delivered on that expectation.

The Steamers sit 15 points clear at the top of the ladder without a loss, are a massive +144 shots and boasting the competition's top-ranked rink skipped by Kevin Brennan.

Record - 5-2-1, 99 points.

Shot difference - +116.

Shots for/agst - 668/552.

Players used - 20.

Skipper records:

Dean Carter (6-2, +43)

Brayden Byrne (5-2-1, +26)

Darren Burgess (5-2-1, +9)

Marc Smith (5-3, +38)

The perennial power is again right in the hunt in second position and the only team yet to lose to Moama given the Hawks tied with the Steamers in round two.

Have been fortunate to maintain their same four skippers in all eight games so far, and such is their consistency, all four are ranked among the top seven rinks in the competition.

Record - 5-3, 89 points.

Shot difference - +58.

Shots for/agst - 634/576.

Players used - 23.

Skipper records:

Luke Hoskin (6-1, +71)

Tom Lester (4-3-1, -14)

Brad Holland (4-4, +8)

Max Rowley (4-2, +7)

The two-time defending premiers were slow out of the blocks copping a 35-shot hiding off Eaglehawk in round one.

But the Diggers have won five of seven since, with the rink of skipper Luke Hoskin leading the charge.

Sitting third despite having already used 23 players - the second most in the competition so far.

Record - 5-3, 84 points.

Shot difference - +22.

Shots for/agst - 624/602.

Players used - 18.

Skipper records:

David Keenan (5-3, +16)

Barry Anset (4-4, +10)

Cameron Wilson (4-4, +1)

Cameron Keenan (3-2-2, +9)

Tricky to get a read on the Flat at the halfway mark given their inconsistency.

Have been good enough to beat top-three sides Eaglehawk and South Bendigo, but also been beaten by Golden Square and Inglewood, so need to close the gap between their best and worst if they are to be a chance of going one better than last season's runner-up finish.

Record - 4-4, 76 points.

Shot difference - +55.

Shots for/agst - 651/596.

Players used - 18.

Skipper records:

Josh Moloney (5-1, +31)

Greg Podesta (5-3, +22)

Aaron Tomkins (4-3-1, +8)

Ian Ross (3-4-1, +29)

Looked like it could be a long season ahead for the Beasties when they opened 2021-22 with three-consecutive losses.

But have worked their way back into the mix with four wins - all by at least 20 shots - in their past five games to show they are a side that shouldn't be taken lightly.

Record - 4-4, 69 points.

Shot difference - -45.

Shots for/agst - 598/643.

Players used - 21.

Skipper records:

Lachlan Bowland (5-2, -8)

Garri Conforti (3-3-1, +10)

John Berry (3-4, -4)

Travis Berry (2-4, -23)

A 4-4 split for Golden Square over the first half of the season, meaning Square can already tick off more wins than last season's three.

Took a month to find a rhythm after starting 1-3, but have turned that around, going 3-1 over their past four games to close within 15 points of the top four.

The rink of skipper Lachlan Bowland is one of the form combinations in the competition having won five games in a row.

Record - 3-5, 59 points.

Shot difference - -52.

Shots for/agst - 589/641.

Players used - 18.

Skipper records:

Mal McLean (4-3-1, +13)

Rob Day (4-4, +5)

Lindsay Kelly (3-5, -26)

Grant Jackson (3-5, -44)

The Woodies made a bright start to the season winning three of their first five games to be sitting inside the top four.

But have dropped back to seventh having lost their past three games, with the challenge now to regain some of their early-season spark.

Like Golden Square, already have more wins than last season in what's a positive step in the right direction.

Record - 2-6, 39 points.

Shot difference - -130.

Shots for/agst - 567/697.

Players used - 20.

Skipper records:

Greg Brain (4-4, -36)

Rod Phillips (2-5-1, -13)

Peter Brain (1-6-1, -30)

James Oliver (0-5, -35)

At 2-1 after three rounds - including a win over Bendigo East - there were positive signs early for the Maine.

But it has been a grind since, with the side losing five in a row by a combined 158 shots.

Record - 0-8, 19 points.

Shot difference - -168.

Shots for/agst - 497/665.

Players used - 28.

Skipper records:

Grant Woodward (3-5, -38)

Andrew Brown (2-3-1, +7)

Lee Harris (2-3, -24)

Mark Anderson (1-3, -17)

Leigh Manning (1-3, -23)

Would need to delve back into the history books to find the last time Bendigo finished on the bottom of the ladder, but that's the way this season looks to be heading.

Yet to win a game and been forced to make constant changes - including four last week due to COVID - having already used 28 players.

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

* Only skippers who have skipped at least four games included.

ROUND 1

Eaglehawk 88 def South Bendigo 53

Castlemaine 90 def Bendigo East 63

Moama 84 def Kangaroo Flat 57

Golden Square 70 def Bendigo 65

Inglewood bye

ROUND 2

South Bendigo 90 def Golden Square 62

Kangaroo Flat 76 def Bendigo East 69

Inglewood 74 def Castlemaine 71

Moama 80 tied Eaglehawk 80

Bendigo bye

ROUND 3

Inglewood 89 def Kangaroo Flat 64

Moama 81 def Bendigo East 69

Eaglehawk 85 def Golden Square 74

Castlemaine 76 def Bendigo 72

South Bendigo bye

ROUND 4

South Bendigo 96 def Castlemaine 59

Kangaroo Flat 95 def Bendigo 58

Bendigo East 88 def Inglewood 66

Moama 78 def Golden Square 67

Eaglehawk bye

ROUND 5

Eaglehawk 96 def Castlemaine 65

Bendigo East 91 def Bendigo 69

Moama 85 def Inglewood 76

Kangaroo Flat 80 def South Bendigo 76

Golden Square bye

ROUND 6

Golden Square 99 def Castlemaine 70

Inglewood 87 def Bendigo 73

Kangaroo Flat 78 def Eaglehawk 65

South Bendigo 84 def Bendigo East 76

Moama bye

ROUND 7

Moama 70 def Bendigo 39

Bendigo East 95 def Eaglehawk 70

South Bendigo 82 def Inglewood 66

Golden Square 82 def Kangaroo Flat 80

Castlemaine bye

ROUND 8

Moama 103 def Castlemaine 57

Bendigo East 100 def Golden Square 60

Eaglehawk 94 def Inglewood 56

South Bendigo 86 def Bendigo 70

Kangaroo Flat bye

ROUND 9

Eaglehawk 90 def Bendigo 51

Kangaroo Flat 94 def Castlemaine 79

Golden Square 84 def Inglewood 75

Moama 75 def South Bendigo 67

Bendigo East bye

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