Not so for the 7-0 Murchison-Toolamba, which this Kyabram District League season has not put a foot wrong, boasting an average winning margin of 88 points.
Except for a close-run encounter against the rising Rushworth, Hoppers coach Brett Foley couldn’t fault his side’s start to the campaign.
“Obviously, when you win a flag, the next year you can get a little bit complacent,” Foley said.
“To the boys' credit, they're as hungry as they were last year. We had some good wins and a good game against Rushy.
“We'll know how we're sitting on Saturday night.”
Looming on the horizon for round eight is Nagambie, the sole remaining undefeated team alongside Murchison-Toolamba in 2025.
The third-placed Lakers had the better of Tallygaroopna last week by 67 points and will be hoping to upset the Murchison-Toolamba apple cart of 25 consecutive wins at Nagambie Reserve on Saturday.
Both 2024 contests were chalk and cheese; the Hoppers dominated Nagambie with a 130-point victory in round one last year, but the gap narrowed significantly to five points in their round 15 encounter.
“Going to Nagambie, no matter where they are on the ladder, is always a hard side to beat, so we're looking forward to a contest,” Foley said.
“(Round one 2024) was a non-event; they had a heap out. But then the last game we played them there just before finals, it was a great game of footy which could have gone either way.
“They grow an extra leg at home and we'll be ready for a good contest.
“(The team) won't be full strength, but we have a couple of blokes back in, so we'll be nice and ready.”
Across the league, the top six teams are poised for a series of crucial matches that could reshape the standings.
With a pre-season remit to simply be competitive, it’s safe to say Violet Town has done just that, sitting in fifth with a 4-3 record.
The Towners were 33-point winners over Girgarre in round seven, but if they want to consolidate inside the top echelon they will need to overcome Stanhope (9th) at Violet Town Reserve.
Meanwhile, Longwood will be hoping to put a tough loss to Lancaster behind it when it hosts the Roos, while Merrigum travels to Avenel still gunning for its first win of the season.
Then on Sunday, sixth-placed Rushworth will be hoping to capitalise on the opportunity for a big scalp when it faces Lancaster at home.
The Tigers have run Nagambie to within 11 points and reigning premier Murchison-Toolamba to eight, underlining their improvement this season.
But the Wombats won’t be willing to hand them an easy four points, setting up a scintillating clash.
Undera and Tallygaroopna are the other Sunday game at Undera Recreation Reserve, while Shepparton East has the bye.
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