The competition ladder is starting to take shape in the National Premier Leagues Northern NSW Men’s competition after eight rounds with things getting even clearer after Round 9.
Let's check out what is in store.
Match of the Round - Charlestown Azzurri v Lambton Jaffas
Lisle Carr Oval, Sunday 2.30pm
Competition leaders Charlestown Azzurri face second-placed Lambton Jaffas in a top of the table clash in the match of the round on Sunday.
Azzurri boast an impressive record of seven wins from eight matches with 21 points, five clear of the Jaffas.
After stumbling to a 2-1 loss against Weston Workers in round seven, Azzurri got back to business last weekend defeating Newcastle Olympic 2-1.
Azzurri have only conceded five goals in eight matches but their rivals will be encouraged Charlestown have conceded three goals in their last two matches.
The Jaffas were in a rich vein of form winning with consecutive victories from round four to round eight, with Lambton’s juggernaut continuing last weekend after a gritty 2-1 victory over Valentine.
The potent attacking force of Kale Bradbery on the left and Sam Webb on the right have been instrumental in scoring and creating goals.
The Jaffas welcome the return of Scott Pettit who has scored twice off the bench in the last two weeks.
But Lambton will need a solution for Azzurri's prolific goal scoring from set pieces.
Former Newcastle Jets captains Regan Taylor and Nigel Boogaard have been dominant in the air converting free kicks from anywhere between the corner flag and the halfway line.
The Jaffas will need a solution for the aerial bombardment and their former A-League goalkeeper Ben Kennedy could be the antidote.
The 188cm shot stopper spent 11 years at the Newcastle Jets and two years at the Central Coast Mariners before joining the Jaffas in 2019.
Kennedy has been in stellar form this season saving a penalty last weekend and pulling off a catalogue of top notch saves against Valentine.
Lambton Jaffas coach David Tanchevski is acutely aware of Azzurri's strengths.
"Charlestown are clearly the team to beat with the most experienced back line in the competition they are hard to break down," Tanchevski said.
"BK has been in good form and dominant in the air. We know where their threats lie in set pieces and Rene Ferguson is also in good form.
"It's going to be a really tough game that we are looking forward to.
"Riley McNaughton may potentially miss the game with an injury.”
Lambton will be without Reece Papas, who will serve a one-match suspension following his dismissal in the Jaffas’ 2-1 defeat to Maitland in their replayed round one match on Wednesday night.
New Lambton FC v Newcastle Olympic
Alder Park, Friday 8pm
New Lambton play with an intensity which is uncomfortable for their opponents but clinical finishing has been their nemesis so far this season.
New Lambton are the lowest scoring team in the division with seven goals in seven games and will see this as an opportunity to improve their potency in attack.
The future is bright for New Lambton who have one of the most youthful squads in the competition with 12 teenagers on their roster.
Newcastle Olympic are in sixth place where a precious three points will elevate them into a cluster of teams chasing the Azzurri.
Adamstown Rosebud v Broadmeadow Magic
Adamstown Oval, Saturday 2.30pm
Adamstown Rosebud stopped the Weston Bears in their tracks with a 2-2 draw in their round eight match on Tuesday.
A youthful Rosebud team had a sluggish start to the season but have improved every week.
Consistency is the key as they proved on ANZAC Day, taking the lead twice against the Bears who defeated league leaders Charlestown Azzurri in the previous round.
NPL heavyweights Broadmeadow Magic will be looking to bounce back from last week's 1-1 draw with bottom-placed Lake Macquarie City.
Maitland FC v Cooks Hill United
Cooks Square Park, Saturday 3.30pm
After being 2-0 down at half-time, the writing seemed on the wall for Maitland against Edgeworth last week, until an inspired team talk turned things around.
The Magpies scored two goals in succession and drew the match 2-2.
This is the mindset and momentum Maitland bring to Cooks Square Park on Saturday, which was again on display in their 2-1 victory over Lambton in their replayed round one match on Wednesday night.
"We just spoke about pride in our performance, about taking responsibility for our defensive duties as we gave [Edgeworth] too much room and respect in the first half," Maitland coach Michael Bolch said.
"We changed our shape, spoke about our energy levels and put it on the group to respond in the second half because I thought we were second to everything in the first 45 minutes.
"To the boys' credit I thought that they were very good in the second half and that's how we are approaching the Cooks Hill match.”
It was another strong second half performance for Cooks Hill last weekend who secured all three points in a 2-1 victory over New Lambton.
But conceding early goals has dogged Cooks Hill's progress and they will need to be at 100 per cent.
Maitland will be without Will McFarlane who will serve a one match ban after he was sent off in the win over Lambton.
Valentine FC v Edgeworth FC
Hunter Sports Centre, Saturday 5pm
There is likely to be fireworks at Hunter Sports Centre on Saturday as two attacking teams who ooze firepower attempt to make a charge up the table.
After enjoying the lion share of possession and chances last weekend, Valentine may count themselves unlucky to have lost narrowly to high-flying Lambton Jaffas.
Valentine have a nice combination of youth and experience epitomised by last week's stand-out players in 34-year-old Carl Thornton and 19-year-old Sakeel Balfour Brown.
Balfour Brown's pace and shooting has provided a cutting edge to the Valentine attack alongside the impressive Chris Frayers and Tyrone Mulder.
Edgeworth are clinical on the counterattack starting with their goalkeeper Nate Cavaliere who sets off defenders Tyson Jackson and Jacob Pepper charging down the pitch in the transition.
Jarryd Sutherland has terrorised defences with pace and trickery, providing a carousel of assists for 20-year-old Sascha Montefiore who has been in red-hot goal scoring form.
Lake Macquarie City v Weston Workers FC
Macquarie Field, Sunday 2.30pm
Lake Macquarie City have improved every week and posted their best result of the season last weekend frustrating Broadmeadow Magic to a 1-1 draw.
After defeating Charlestown Azzurri 2-1 in round seven, Weston were unable to continue their momentum against a hungry Adamstown Rosebud last week.
The Bears play with an attacking flair attempting to penetrate down the flanks with their speedy wingers and into their big centre forward Cooper Buswell.
The Bears need three points to stay in touch with the league leaders whereas Lake Macquarie are aiming to continue their momentum and record their first win of the season.