Win/loss: 9-0 (1st)

Next three: Myrtleford, Corowa-Rutherglen, Wangaratta

Season high: The Tigers’ come-from-behind win against Lavington in round 7 is hard to top. Trailing by 16 points at the 18-minute mark of the final quarter, Dean Polo and company rallied and sent a warning to the rest of the competition that they are never beaten.

Season low: Ruckman Angus Graham’s decision to return to Melbourne. Although he had only played two matches, the prospect of having three 200 centimetre-plus giants — Graham and Setanta and Aisake o’hAilpin — is a luxury the reigning premier no longer enjoys.

Best and fairest fancies: Dean Polo, Brayden O’Hara, Luke Packer.

Injured list: After having as many as five walk-up first grade players sidelined, Albury’s squad largely is healthy again. Jay Koehler returned last weekend following a hamstring injury after missing six senior matches and looks set to have his workload managed to ensure he’s up and about in September.

In a nutshell: Albury coasted early before showing its champion qualities in gutsy victories over Lavington and Yarrawonga. The class of Polo, Brayden O’Hara, Chris Hyde and Joel Mackie remains the Tigers’ strength and the emergence of Elliott Powell, Jim Grills and Michael Duncan has addressed leg speed queries. In the box seat for back-to-back flags.

Win/loss: 7-2 (2nd)

Next three: Corowa-Rutherglen, Yarrawonga, Myrtleford

Season high: Trailing by nine points at half-time and having coach James Saker and Mitch Palmer out of the game, the Panthers kicked seven goals to one in the third quarter to blow away Wodonga Raiders. It moved Daryn Cresswell to say Lavington was the best team his line-up had played.

Season low: While the loss to Myrtleford was bad, the final 15 minutes against Albury were disastrous. It sowed more seeds of doubt into the players’ minds that they could close out big matches.

Best and fairest fancies: Sam Harris, Matt Sharp, Nick Meredith.

Injured list: Kade Stevens remains the missing link. He hasn’t played since damaging his wrist in last year’s first semi-final win over Wangaratta Rovers and is tentatively expected to return in round 12.

In a nutshell: With Lavington changing its gameplan over the off-season, the Panthers were always going to take time to hit their straps. Saker’s charges have improved markedly from rounds 1 to 4 to 5 to 9 and are clearly the biggest danger to Albury in its quest to win back-to-back premierships.

Win/loss: 6-3 (3rd)

Next three: Wodonga, Wangaratta, Wod­onga Raiders

Season high: North Albury gained huge confidence from toppling Yarrawonga in round 7. Although the Pigeons were celebrating Craig Ednie’s 200th match, the Hoppers drew a line in the sand and refused to buckle under pressure. It was the club’s first win over Yarrawonga since 2008.

Season low: Alarm bells were ringing after the Hoppers lost their opening round match to last year’s wooden-spooner Wodonga. Results have since proven the Bulldogs have improved and North merely had a poor day at the office.

Best and fairest fancies: Nick Holman, Adam Elias, Dan Leslie

Injured list: Captain David Miles remains sidelined with knee tendonitis, while his deputy Reece Tanner is also yet to fire a shot.

In a nutshell: Say what you like about Jason Akermanis, but it’s clear he can coach. The Hoppers have backed up last season’s impressive results with another strong start to the season and appear certainties to return to finals action. Akermanis doesn’t have the big names of other clubs due to a limited budget but he gets every ounce out of his list. Wins over Wodonga Raiders and Yarrawonga showed they belong in the top five.

Win/loss: 5-4 (4th)

Next three: Wangaratta, Myrtleford, North Albury

Season high: It’s hard to top coming from 41 points down to defeat Yarrawonga last weekend. A week later, Birallee Park is still buzzing with excitement.

Season low: Coach Daryn Cresswell described his team’s loss to Wangaratta Rovers as “dreadful”. Enough said.

Best and fairest fancies: Hayden Heta, Steve Jolliffe, Todd Grayson

Injured list: It’s getting better by the day. While Jydon Neagle is another month away following shoulder surgery, full-forward Jake Goldsmith and defender Todd Grayson are close to resuming. Cameo appearances from Todd Bryant, Aaron Davey and Paul Bevan helped the club through a rough period with injuries.

In a nutshell: The Raiders have lived up to the pre-season hype. Hayden Heta, Todd Grayson, Jake Goldsmith, Dean Heta and Matt Derrick have been the pick of the recruits while district league products Sam Murray, Matt Neagle (both Hume) and Ethan Boxall (Tallangatta) have comfortably made the transition to the Ovens and Murray. 

Look set to battle it out with North Albury for the double chance.

Win/loss: 4-5 (5th)

Next three: Wangaratta Rovers, Lavington, Wodonga

Season high: It sounds ridiculous but Yarrawonga’s loss to Albury would have given the Pigeons belief. They were in the contest for 3½ quarters. 

Season low: Last weekend’s loss to the Raiders was a debacle.

Best and fairest fancies: Craig Ednie, Xavier Leslie

Injured list: Skipper Tim Cooper returns from a quad problem today and will be desperate for a better run with injuries. He has played only five matches this season.

In a nutshell: Is the golden era over? While it would be silly to write off the Pigeons, they have plenty of work to do to reclaim a spot in the top three. Yarrawonga co-coach Brendan Fevola has always been confident his team would play its best football in the second half of the season, and he will need everything to go right to challenge for the flag. The return of Drew Barnes and Matt Dwyer from long-term injuries is a huge plus, while ruckman Steve McKee’s comeback will be vital. Expect Fevola to kick a bag today to start the ball rolling.

Win/loss: 4-5 (6th)

Next three: Wodonga Raiders, North Albury, Albury

Season high: Wangaratta had to wait five rounds for a win, but it was worth the wait against arch enemy Wangaratta Rovers.

Season low: The Magpies were in disarray early in the season with threats of player walk-outs. Mark Knobel departed before round 3 and Brendan Cairns has been able to steady the ship.Best and fairest fancies: Jamie Allan, Matt Kelly, Jamie Anderson

Injured list: Under control

In a nutshell: Cairns’ line-up appears to be improving with each week. They look the team most likely to sneak into the finals should North Albury, Wodonga Raiders or Yarrawonga slip up. Unlike several clubs, the Magpies have a potent forward-line with Joel Harris, Matt Westhoff and Robbie Hicks in good form, while Jamie Allan is running hot in the midfield. Will bolt into calculations by defeating North Albury or the Raiders in the next fortnight. 

WODONGA BULLDOGS (6/10)

Win/loss: 4-5 (7th)

Next three: North Albury, Wangaratta Rovers, Yarrawonga

Season high: Wodonga had its best win in several years when Yarrawonga utility Connor Hargreaves’ shot for goal after the final siren fell just short in round 3 at John Flower Oval.

Season low: The last fortnight. The Bulldogs were blown away by Wangaratta in round 8 and failed to kick a goal in the first half against Lavington last weekend.

Best and fairest fancies: John Pratt, Josh Hicks, Matt Seiter

Injured list: No long-term concerns

In a nutshell: The Bulldogs are in freefall. Since winning four of their opening five matches on the back of a big pre-season, Dean Harding’s line-up has hit the wall and must regroup in a hurry or run the risk of dropping out of finals’ contention. More of a hard-working than skilful team and will be hoping for a wet second half of the season to use their physical presence to advantage. Can’t afford to rely on John Pratt and Daniel Bradshaw each weekend.

Win/loss: 2-7 (8th)

Next three: Albury, Wodonga Raiders, Lavington

Season high: Myrtleford thought its season was heading in the right direction when it upset Lavington by 15 points in round 3. With Brad Murray leading the way, the Alpine Saints won through sheer weight of numbers at the contest, plus a bit of Kristan Height magic up forward.

Season low: No prizes for guessing this one. The Alpine Saints had Wangaratta Rovers dead and buried in their round 4 clash at W.J. Findlay Oval but coughed up a 49-point lead.

Best and fairest fancies: Brad Murray, Kristan Height, Nathan Cossignani

Injured list: Riley O’Shea (knee) is a chance of playing late in the home and away series.

In a nutshell: The disappointment of the season. The Saints are languishing near the bottom with two wins and will need to storm home to be any chance of featuring in September. A shattering loss to Wangaratta Rovers and lack of a key forward has hurt the Mountain Men badly, while Matt Dussin’s stop-start season due to work commitments is proving to be another stumbling block.

Win/loss: 2-7 (9th)

Next three: Lavington, Albury, Wangaratta Rovers

Season high: Although the Roos weren’t winning games early in the season, they were ultra-competitive against Lavington and Albury. Have beaten Wangaratta Rovers and Myrtleford.

Season low: Lost to Yarrawonga, Wodonga and Wangaratta by less than three goals. In a tight competition, that’s always going to hurt.

Best and fairest fancies: Sam Carpenter, Al Austin, Kade Kuschert

Injured list: Bryce Campbell has only managed three games.

In a nutshell: Depth was always going to be the Roos’ biggest concern this season and the alarm bells started ringing early. Along with Myrtleford, Campbell’s team has been the most disappointing outfit in the league. Sam Carpenter has been prolific and Al Austin and Kade Kuschert resolute in defence, but the worry has been inside the forward arc where James Brain leads the goalkicking tally with 16 majors.

Win/loss: 2-7 (10th)

Next three: Yarrawonga, Wodonga, Corowa-Rutherglen

Season high: A sensational come-from-behind win over Myrtleford had the Hawks up and about early in the season, but their only other victory since has been a thrilling win over Wodonga Raiders. 

Season low: A loss to Wangaratta always hurts, but a 42-point spanking cuts deep.

Best and fairest fancies: Tyson Hartwig, Shane Gaston

Injured list: Tyson Hartwig will find out the results of his thumb injury early next week. A long-term spell on the sidelines would be disastrous for the Hawks.

In a nutshell: Wangaratta Rovers have been the big slider down the table after the club re-assessed its recruiting strategy over the summer. Coach Paul Maher has blooded plenty of youngsters, but with that has come inconsistency. Dylan Stone, Dylan Wilson, James Smith and Tyler Lowe are the future and will be eager to make further impressions in the second half of the season.