Prior to the season all the talk was about the evenness of the competition and how new sides might emerge as the ones to beat.

At this stage Minyip-Murtoa remain the side to beat but a close shave against Dimboola on Saturday showed the team can be vulnerable.

League Chief Commissioner Trevor Albrecht said that has been the most refreshing result of the season.

“To know your bottom side can get within a few points of the top side is terrific for the league,” he said.

The Horsham Demons have stepped up in a big way so far and look to be the side most likely to challenge the Burras. 

Although the Burras recorded a reasonably comfortable round six win against the Demons it is the depth of players available at each club that will push them to improve during the season.

Currently in third are the Warrack Eagles who have been a surprise riser for some.

The strong off-season recruitment of Shannon Argall and Jesse Murphy has boosted the forward stock, while Josh Bibby has stepped up in a big way as well.

“They still aren’t at their best and could make it all the way,” Albrecht said.

The big promises surrounding Stawell have been quelled somewhat early in the season due to injuries and it is still largely undetermined what the side has to offer.

The Horsham Saints are in a unfamiliar positions in fifth.

The side has played inconsistent football with early on but has showed glimpses of potential.

Nhill have shown plenty of fight this season and would consider themselves unlucky not to be higher on the ladder.

An inability to run out games has proved costly on more than one occasion.

“That fifth spot is well and truly up for grabs, Saints will defend it hard but Nhill could sneak in,” Albrecht said.

Ararat and Dimboola both have work to do match it with the rest of the teams in the league.

They have shown that at their best they can be damaging but need to maintain their intensity.

“It’s those bottom side’s which are going to show the most improvement during the season,” Albrecht said.