COVID-19 restrictions forced the league's board to revise the season's fixtures, enabling teams to pause and take stock of their seasons' so far.

Moyston Willaura is among the teams that may benefit from the intermission.

Injuries have compromised the start of the Pumas' season, and senior team coach Terry Keilar said some players would be able to make their returns when they play Glenthompson Dunkeld on Saturday, June 19.

READ MORE:

"It's certainly been helpful for some of the players that have just had some niggling injuries," he said.

"We still have a couple of players with injuries that are a bit longer term but hopefully we'll get about three or four back."

Despite battling injuries, Moyston Willaura has fought their way to sixth with a percentage of 151.21.

Glenthompson Dunkeld percentage of 164.02 is barely higher than the Pumas', but they nevertheless are eight points clear of their round nine opponents, having avoided defeat since the season opener.

Keilar said they would prove difficult opposition.

"They'll be very competitive. They're always a tough team with bigger bodies and bring a good contest," he said.

OTHER NEWS:

"It's one we've been really priming ourselves for to get a win but there's no doubt it will be a tough one."

Above Glenthompson Dunkeld on the table are Tatyoon and Woorndoo-Mortlake, the only two teams to still be undefeated.

No side in the league has scored more points than Woorndoo-Mortlake, and no side has conceded fewer than Tatyoon.

The Hawks will play fellow birds of prey Ararat Eagles on Saturday, June 19.

While the Eagles have won three and lost three, all their losses were by nine points or fewer.

MORE NEWS:

They have also conceded the second-fewest points in the league behind Tatyoon.

Woorndoo-Mortlake is equal with the Eagles in this regard, having also conceded just 309 points.

The Tigers will face Penshurst in round nine.

Sitting eighth on the table, Penshurst has had a difficult season so far.

They impressed in the season opener, narrowly falling short against Great Western in a rematch of the 2019 grand final. Yet they have since only registered two wins, both against teams in the bottom three of the ladder.

Even with the home ground advantage, it is unlikely they will break the Tigers' streak.

Reigning premiers Great Western will head to Mininera face an in form SMW Rovers team.

READ MORE:

Rovers lost their first four games of the season, but they had registered consecutive wins before the break, defeating Penshurst in round five and Wickliffe-Lake Bolac in round six.

Great Western's opening six games were the complete inverse of Rovers', as they won their opening four matches before losing their next two.

However, these losses were narrow defeats to Tatyoon and Woorndoo Mortlake.

Lismore Derrinallum is equal on points with Ararat Eagles and Moyston Willaura yet have a far inferior percentage.

However, they may see round nine as an opportunity to change this, as they face a Caramut side still searching for their first win.

The two teams above Caramut, Hawkesdale Macarthur and Wickliffe-Lake Bolac will also meet on the weekend.

Both sides have just a solitary win this season.

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Stawell Times-News. To make sure you're up-to-date with all the news from across the region, sign up here.