WITH just three rounds remaining of the home and away football season, both Muswellbrook Eagles' all-age sides have perched themselves at the right end of the table.
The Saturday team is in an almost immovable position, sitting nine ahead of second place on points and goal difference, while the Friday squad has worked its way into second after an impressive run of form.
Having won three out of the past four matches, they were strong again at the weekend, securing a crucial point away from home against ladder leaders Tenambit Sharks.
They burst out of the blocks in that fixture and applied significant pressure on the opposition before Cal Cridland made his much-anticipated return from injury off the bench, scoring within minutes of coming on.
However, the league's best team wasn't going to lie down and fought hard to equalise in the 60th minute.
But, they were unable to put a second past the Upper Hunter side, who has sent a message to the competition and shown it can match it with anyone.
Nathan Cridland picked up the award for best player on ground after an extremely accomplished performance.
As for the Saturday outfit, the well-oiled machine rolled on with a 4-0 victory over cellar dwellers Cooks Hill, meaning they are yet to be defeated with less than a month of the campaign to go, and a finals spot locked in.
Isaac Howard slotted the opener during the first half, before their explosive attack clicked into action after the break and piled on another three via a brace from winger Harry Green, and a long range free kick from Lindsey Smith, which found the back of the net after the opposing goalkeeper was caught in no man's land.
Players' player went to Mitchell Shepherd, whose consistency and pace has been asset for the squad all season.
