That must make a year an eternity.

Warrnambool and North Warrnambool Eagles' changing fortunes attest to that.

They will meet in the Hampden league top-of-the-table clash at Bushfield on Saturday.

The contest's top billing is a stark contrast to 2018 when the two sides met as cellar dwellers.

"It's a bit ironic - we met in round six last year and neither of us had won a game and we meet in round five this year and neither of us have lost a game," Warrnambool coach Matt O'Brien said.

"Both games are as important as each other."

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Warrnambool is undefeated with four wins and North Warrnambool Eagles have three wins and a draw to their credit.

The Blues lost their first five matches last season before surging and securing an unlikely finals berth.

The Eagles dropped their first nine games and finished on the bottom of the ladder with five wins.

The two teams added quality recruits in the off-season - namely Darren Ewing and Damien McCorkell at the Blues and Darcy Keast, Billie Smedts and Sam McLachlan at the Eagles.

The rewards have been evident.

Warrnambool averaged 73 points for in 2018.

They're averaging a competition-high 133 points for this season.

North Warrnambool Eagles kicked 69 points on average last year. That statistic has soared to 120.

The two teams' defensive mindsets have improved markedly too.

The Blues are conceding a competition-low 49 points per game, down on 73 last season.

The Eagles' points against average has dropped from 82 to 50.

Eagles coach Adam Dowie wants his side to be challenged and is excited to meet the Blues.

He is aware of the Blues' form spike - they've won 13 of their past 15 games since dropping the first five last season.

"They were a pretty good side last year and they just started badly," he said.

"The last 12 months they have really been building and they don't have any injuries."

The Blues have made one change, bringing in teenager Harry Ryan for the injured Sam Wilson.

Smedts is one of the Eagles' five forced changes.

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