Despite being the only side in the competition to string together seven successive wins, a The Border Mail survey revealed most pundits believe Henty and Brock-Burrum are the sides most likely to play-off in the grand final.

Middleton, who will play his 100^th match along with teammate Matt Osborne against Holbrook on Saturday, said he could understand why the Swampies and Saints were favourites.

“Henty and Brock-Burrum are massive contenders but I think Osborne hasn’t been written about much either because Henty and Brock are playing such good footy at the moment,” Middleton said.

“I guess it comes down to September when we play each other.

“That’s when we will know who are going to be the top dogs.

“We are going along steadily at the moment and want to be hitting on our straps in September. It’s a ripping competition.”

The Bulldog skipper joined Jindera from Albury in 2013 and has missed only a handful of matches due to injury including the last two weeks with an ankle problem.

He will return to play a vital role in the midfield against key Brooker players Brock Knights, Sam Harris, Jake Way, Josh Jones and Matt Sharp.

Osborne expects Holbrook to be hard to beat.

“It will be a tough game,” he said.

“They are playing well.

“We are going alright but I don’t think we have played our best football yet though.”

Jindera’s only losses of the season came against Brock-Burrum and Henty in rounds one and three respectively with the Bulldogs being untroubled since.

Spearhead Trent Castles has played a vital role in their winning run with the former Albury premiership player kicking 48 per cent of the team’s goals this season.

He is averaging just under six goals a match and is likely to find Brooker Simon Turner as his opponent at the first bounce.

Jindera and Holbrook players will join forces on Saturday by wearing purple socks and specially produced football jumpers to raise funds for former Bulldog player Nick Dempsey.

“It’s going to be a massive day,” Middleton said.

“We did the socks last year and this season we have jumpers for Nick as well.

“It’s great Holbrook has jumped on board.”

Dempsey broke his neck during a diving accident in January, 2017, which left him with C4 quadriplegia.

Henty and Howlong will play for the Karl Jacka Plaque on Saturday.