The Bombers will host Hepburn in a round-12 clash that will answer a number of questions, but none more intriguing than who has the right to call itself a genuine flag favourite less than two months from the start of the finals series.

However, while that answer remains up to individual opinion, there is little dispute between opposition coaches that the Bombers and the Kookaburras are the teams to beat.

As the competition breaks for the long weekend, the Bombers and the Burras are eight points clear of the competition, but their places as the fi nal two on September 11 are far from guaranteed.

Dunnstown has been consistently good and can never be underestimated in crucial matches, while after a slow start, Waubra is gaining momentum after breaking into the top six two weeks ago.

After winning the opening seven matches, Beaufort coach Phil Crouch admits his team has learned where it sits after losses to Daylesford and Buninyong.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beattie indicated early in the season that the reigning premier would take time to reach its best, but must be concerned by some of the battles it has had against lower-placed opposition, including a one-point win over Newlyn on Saturday.

The make-up of the top six looks relatively set, with the sixth-placed Waubra two games clear of the seasons big-improver Springbank in seventh.

The Tigers and Ballan are probably the best of the rest in a bottom eight that could beat each other on any given day.

A special mention goes to perennial struggler Gordon, which would be disappointed if it didn't win two or three more matches in the run home.