BENDIGO – ROUND 15 Sandhurst v Strathfieldsaye, 2.20pm Saturday at Queen Elizabeth Oval, Bendigo – the second leg of a blockbuster fortnight for the Dragons. After outlasting Golden Square by 13 points last Saturday, the ladder-leading Dragons must now get themselves back up to take on the Storm at the QEO in what’s another 1 v 2 contest. A win would not only strengthen the belief of the Dragons given they haven’t beaten Strathfieldsaye in their past seven encounters, but would also have them odds-on to finish on top of the ladder for the first time since 2001. As for the Storm, they continue to be challenged by injuries – Harry Conway (shoulder) and co-coach Bryce Curnow (hamstring) the latest concerns – yet are 12-2, but this a rare match over the past three years where they will go in as underdogs. Last time: Strathfieldsaye 15.12 (102) d Sandhurst 10.10 (70). Since 2009: Strathfieldsaye 11; Sandhurst 8. Eaglehawk v South Bendigo, 2.20pm Saturday at Canterbury Park, Eaglehawk – five wins in a row for the Hawks – four of them 10 goals plus – now has them inside the top five. The form revival of the Hawks has been stunning and momentum is strong at Canterbury Park ahead of this clash against the Bloods, who have lost their past four games – all against top five sides. Last time: Eaglehawk 12.19 (91) d South Bendigo 6.6 (42). Since 1995: South Bendigo 27; Eaglehawk 20. Maryborough v Castlemaine, 2.20pm Saturday at Barkers Oval, Maryborough – interesting trend for Maryborough in recent weeks in terms of its scoring. The Magpies have kicked 14 goals in their past two games – 13 of which have come after half-time. If they can marry that up by hitting the scoreboard in the first half, they may be able to give a strong account of themselves at home against Castlemaine, which if it wins will notch seven victories in a season for the first time since 2007. Last time: Castlemaine 19.14 (128) d Maryborough 8.10 (58). Since 1995: Maryborough 29; Castlemaine 17. Golden Square v Kangaroo Flat, 2.20pm Saturday at MyJet Oval, Golden Square – the Roos haven’t been able to hit the side of a barnyard the past fortnight with a combined 18.40 in their past two games. Conversion like that ain’t going to get it done against their long-time nemesis Golden Square, which may be somewhat vulnerable coming off a grueling contest against Sandhurst. Last time: Golden Square 13.12 (90) d Kangaroo Flat 10.16 (76). Since 1995: Golden Square 35; Kangaroo Flat 9. Gisborne v Kyneton, 2.20pm Saturday at Gardiner Reserve, Gisborne – just when things were tracking nicely for the Tigers with three wins in a row, a 75-point hiding from Eaglehawk has sent them crashing out of the top five. The young Bulldogs aren’t going to make finals, but no doubt they’d dearly like to make the September aspirations of their fiercest rivals all the more difficult with an upset win at home. Last time: Kyneton 16.18 (114) d Gisborne 12.10 (82). Since 2000: Gisborne 26; Kyneton 5. HEATHCOTE DISTRICT – ROUND 18 North Bendigo v Huntly, 2.15pm Saturday at Superior Roofing Oval, North Bendigo – first hosts third, with there the possibility the Bulldogs and Hawks could meet again the following week in the qualifying final. The Bulldogs – 7-0 at home this year – have an ominous look about them with six wins in a row by an average of 107 points and the lure of top spot still to play for, while the Hawks have won six of their past seven since losing to North Bendigo by seven points in round nine. Last time: North Bendigo 15.10 (100) d Huntly 14.9 (93). Since 1996: North Bendigo 37; Huntly 10. LBU v White Hills, 2.15pm Saturday at Lockington Recreation Reserve – plenty of incentive for the Cats, who must win to avoid their first wooden-spoon since joining the HDFL in 2001. At home they aren’t without a chance against the Demons, who will be aiming to finish with a fifth win. Last time: White Hills 15.9 (99) d LBU 5.12 (42). Since 2001: LBU 21; White Hills 13. Elmore v Leitchville-Gunbower, 2.15pm Saturday at Elmore Recreation Reserve – the finals-bound Bloods can’t move from fifth spot, while the Bombers have the opportunity for the first week off in the finals as a carrot. The Bombers head into this game 0.86 per cent behind top side North Bendigo, so expect Leitchville-Gunbower to be ruthless until the final siren in a game where every single point may prove telling. Last time: Leitchville-Gunbower 19.18 (132) d Elmore 5.2 (32). Since 2009: Leitchville-Gunbower 7; Elmore 6. Colbinabbin v Mount Pleasant, 2.15pm Saturday at M.J. Morgan Oval, Colbinabbin – while the Grasshoppers have a finals series to look forward to, it’s curtains for the Blues come 5pm Saturday. Unlikely to be a game for finesse given the conditions of Colbinabbin’s ground, which has this week had the qualifying final transferred from it to Toolleen. Last time: Colbinabbin 17.13 (115) d Mount Pleasant 9.7 (61). Since 1995: Colbinabbin 32; Mount Pleasant 24. LODDON VALLEY – ROUND 17 Marong v Calivil United, 2.15pm Saturday at Discover Marong Oval, Marong – plenty of importance all of a sudden resting on the outcome of this clash. A win for the Demons guarantees they will finish top three and earn the double chance, but to do so they will have to arrest a slide of three losses in a row. However, a Marong win at home would draw the Panthers level on 36 points with the Demons and keep the double chance fight alive heading into the last round. Last time: Calivil United 14.13 (97) d Marong 5.8 (38). Since 1995: Calivil United 36; Marong 10. YCW v BL-Serpentine, 2.15pm Saturday at Backhaus Oval, Golden Square – the Eagles haven’t won three in a row since 2011. Opportunity is knocking for a hat-trick of Eagles’ victories when they play at home against the Bears, who are still chasing their breakthrough win of 2016. Last time: YCW 5.11 (41) d BL-Serpentine 3.8 (26). Since 1995: BL-Serpentine 24; YCW 23. Newbridge v Bridgewater, 2.15pm Saturday at Karee Wool Riverside Oval, Newbridge – notable achievement coming up for the Mean Machine, who come Saturday night will have spent 50-consecutive weeks on top of the ladder, dating back to round four, 2014. The Maroons are playing their best football of the season, but confronting the Mean Machine in their last game of the home and away season when they’re sitting sixth doesn’t bode well for their finals chances. Last time: Bridgewater 19.15 (129) d Newbridge 5.8 (38). Since 1995: Newbridge 23; Bridgewater 21. Pyramid Hill v Mitiamo, 2.15pm Saturday at Mitchell Park, Pyramid Hill – the Bulldogs have got themselves back into the top five and their finals destiny in their own hands. At home against a Mitiamo side coming off a 19-point loss to Marong, the Bulldogs will be eyeing off their first big scalp of the season. Last time: Mitiamo 11.12 (78) d Pyramid Hill 6.5 (41). Since 1995: Mitiamo 28; Pyramid Hill 18. NORTH CENTRAL – ROUND 14 Donald v Wycheproof-Narraport, 2.30pm Saturday at Donald Recreation Reserve – could be a preview to the second semi-final later this month. The Demons are flying at the top of the ladder, with all that’s left before finals is can they complete an undefeated home and away season? The Royals continue to yo-yo between second and third as they have done since round eight. This week they are second, but can they buck the recent trend and hold onto it? Last time: Wycheproof-Narraport 15.10 (100) d Donald 7.4 (46). Since 2009: Wycheproof-Narraport 16; Donald 3. Boort v Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers, 2.30pm Saturday at Boort Park – the wind has been knocked out of the Magpies’ season on the back of four losses in a row that leaves them two games outside the top four with three to play. As for the Tigers, their season has never really got going as four wins attest. Last time: Boort 12.6 (78) d Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers 7.14 (56). Since 2016: Boort 1; Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers 0. Wedderburn v Charlton, 2.30pm Saturday at Donaldson Park, Wedderburn – the Navies haven’t completed a home and away clean sweep against the Redbacks since 2009, but they can do so with a victory to back up their round seven win. The season records of the two sides says that should happen, but recent years show no win against the Redbacks should be taken as granted for the Navies. Last time: Charlton 9.15 (69) d Wedderburn 7.3 (45). Since 2009: Wedderburn 16; Charlton 6. St Arnaud v Birchip-Watchem, 2.30pm Saturday at Lord Nelson Park, St Arnaud – the Bulls are on the charge on the back of three wins in a row having them finals-bound. The Bulls’ strong momentum should continue against the Saints, whose season was summed up last game when the scoreboard showed them in front by a point at the final siren, only for it to actually be a draw against Sea Lake Nandaly. Last time: Birchip-Watchem 14.7 (91) d St Arnaud 10.15 (75). Since 2009: St Arnaud 12; Birchip-Watchem 10.