Haisman Shield | round five | Nagambie v Waaia preview

But that would certainly take a form reversal; the Lakers have won all three of their one-dayers so far, including their most recent four-wicket win against Euroa.

The side got more quality scores from brothers Mark (64) and Luke Nolan (37) in that win, with the duo continuing to make the Lakers’ batting card a tough one to handle.

The Nolans have made a combined 368 runs in four matches this season, or 48.4 per cent of Nagambie's 761 runs, showing how the duo is holding the side together in a big way.

For Waaia, it will need to take positives from its recent loss to Numurkah, where the Bombers had the reigning premier 3-34 and were at one stage 1-49 themselves, before falling to a 60-run loss.

Their own batting brothers - Mitch and Jordan Cleeland - have made a combined 184 runs this season, but the side needs more contributors.

“We're confident enough, we've got a few in-form players that missed out against Numurkah,” Waaia captain Brayden Carey said.

“I hope with the bat we get our heads over it a bit and can put up a competitive score, and with our bowling attack you never know what can happen when they've got enough runs to bowl at.”

Reflecting on his side's start to the campaign, Carey saw signs it was heading in the right direction, but suggested plenty would be learned from battling the Lakers.

“We've got that win early that we were searching for and were close enough to Mooroopna, it was a good show with the bat, 197 is a good score,” he said.

“But it was two steps forward and then three steps back against Numurkah although it is pretty polished, and will be tough to beat at all this season.

“There's lots of positives, but I think we'll find a lot out about our side this weekend against a Nagambie side on top of its game, how we bounce back will be a good indicator of things to come.”