Only two wins separate the early pace-setters from the first team outside finals contention, with such a points gap only likely to decrease as the season rolls on.

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A shift to strictly limited-overs cricket has suited some, while others are still battling to overcome a host of off-season departures.

We dive in, team-by-team, to one of the most even starts to the season in recent memory.

The Bullants' ascension to the top of the table hasn't been smooth sailing, with a loss and two nail-biters littered amongst some dominant displays in the first five rounds of the season.

The arrival of two Vic Country representatives in Tony Caccaviello and Matt Combe have added extra guile to an already experienced group, with the Bullants' lineup built around some wily HCA veterans.

Noradjuha-Toolondo has taken the third-most wickets and scored the third-most runs so far this season; a credit to the side's excellence in all facets.

Having edged out Rup-Minyip in a final over thriller in the previous round, the Bullants face another test of their premiership credentials when they host West Wimmera this weekend.

Rocked by an opening-round loss, the competition's perennial powerhouses have recovered to go on a four-game unbeaten streak.

Central to Homers' success has been the ability to bowl sides out cheaply and chase totals down quickly with talent at the top of the order.

In Mohan Bandara and Craig Britten, Homers possess one of HCA's deadliest new-ball duos, with the pair's combined 18 wickets helping their side concede fewer runs than any other club in the competition.

Should Homers edge out a plucky Jung Tigers this weekend, the reigning one-day premiers will be waiting with bated breath for the result of the Bullants and Warriors clash. A Warriors win should see Homers return to the top of the table.

On their return to A Grade, the Warriors have plundered more runs than any other side - thanks in part to Nathan Alexander and Mitch Dahlenburg's efficiency at the top.

The Warriors aren't one-trick ponies either, collecting more wickets than anyone else, with three bowlers among the competition's top 10 wicket-takers.

Despite leading the competition in both disciplines, two narrow losses to Noradjuha-Toolondo and Rup-Minyip have seen the Warriors slip to third.

Grand finalists only two seasons ago, Jung Tigers have been buoyed by the emergence of its young brigade.

Tyler Puls has proved to be a dependable source of runs in the middle order, while Codi Kenny has flourished in his first A Grade season - leading the Tigers' wicket-taking ranks.

Consistency has escaped the Tigers at times so far, but the club is a strong chance to feature come finals time.

Only sitting outside a finals spot by 0.0044 per cent, the Blue Panthers remain firmly in the premiership conversation.

Capable of beating any side on its day, the shift to limited-overs has suited Rup-Minyip's dashing batsmen - particularly Jake Leith and Jamie Byrne, who are the competition's second and third highest run-scorers respectively.

With four of the side's best bowlers still teenagers, headlined by the emerging Blake Turner and the gifted Connor and Lachie Weidemann, the side could be set for dazzling heights.

Still reeling from off-season departures, the Saints bagged their first points of the season thanks to a rain-affected game at the weekend.

Despite the eventual result, the young side was in a solid position against one of the competition's best sides - giving them confidence a first win could be on the horizon.

Yet to have the luxury of fielding the same XI two weeks in a row, the Saints have used the opportunity to blood a few youngsters.

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