by Nicholas Duck
It's elimination final time in the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition and for the teams playing this week there are no second chances.
Two teams will progress, while two others will be heading home with no further part to play in season 2023.
Saturday August 26, Inverloch Recreation Reserve, 2:10pm.
Tooradin-Dalmore vs Warragul Industrials
The local team taking on the reigning premiers in a winner-takes-all final. Here we go.
Warragul Industrials may have finished in the lowest finals position possible in sixth, but it's difficult to understate how little some teams would want to be facing them right now.
The Dusties are coming into this encounter with some serious form having won their last five games, including wins against fellow premiership contenders Phillip Island and Cora Lynn.
Having begun the year with some difficult match-ups and patchy form, things have clicked for the team.
Their stingy backline is working nicely, their midfield has stood up to some of the best around and now their forward line, having had to work through not having a number of recruits available, is getting the job done.
Things aren't going to be easy, however. This is finals footy, and until they're beaten, Tooradin-Dalmore are still the champs.
It's been a weird year for the Seagulls.
At times they've shown their premiership best, but at others they've looked shockingly mortal when compared to the all-conquering side from last season.
Even still, they were agonisingly close to a top two berth, with only a last-gasp draw between the top two teams keeping them from earning a double chance.
If last year didn't set up a bit of a rivalry with Phillip Island, being denied that second spot by them might just do it.
But now if they want to go back to back they'll have to do it the long - and hard - way. No team in the West Gippsland's very young history has won the flag from any position other than first.
Expect a real dogfight here given the high stakes.
Despite having been defeated by the Seagulls in both of their previous meetings this season, the Dusties will have no shortage of belief that they can win here.
They challenged the reigning premiers right to the death in both matches, even leading at three quarter time away from home back in round 13.
Given they were also one kick away from a grand final last year, where they also finished sixth, history says they won't have any fear here.
The challenge has been laid out before them. Now the question is can they rise to the occasion?
Fans should note the Dusties also have their under 18s team featuring at Western Park on Sunday 10:30am at Western Park, where they will also be taking on Tooradin-Dalmore. 
Nar Nar Goon vs Cora Lynn
Sunday August 27, Western Park, 2:10pm.
Two of the most offensively potent teams in the competition go head to head when Nar Nar Goon and Cora Lynn fight it out to keep their seasons alive.
The Goon are the second highest scoring side in the competition, outdoing even top team Inverloch-Kongwak, as their freewheeling offence has led them to victory on numerous occasions this year.
While the Cobras are hardly slackers in the goals department, sitting fifth for scoring, they have a point of difference that every team in the league would love to have - Nathan Gardiner.
Gardiner finished the home and away season on 103 majors, 43 better than the next best.
His prowess for contested marks, excellent body work and serious goal sense has left him the clear dominant forward in the competition, able to rip away matches from other teams in an instant.
Gardiner's hardly the only weapon Cora Lynn possess, but no doubt he'll be the one getting the most attention come the first siren. Nar Nar Goon will be very aware that stopping his influence will go a long way towards progressing.
These two met twice during the year, with the Cobras coming away winners both times.
But the Goon will know their best is good enough to beat anyone.
Anyone who doubts that just needs reminding that they were the only team to actually beat Inverloch-Kongwak over the course of the year.
Local fans can get a taste of the finals action here, given the game will be played at Western Park in the heart of Warragul.
There'll be plenty of hard-fought, contested footy here, and will be well worth the watch.
On recent form over the past few weeks you'd have to say the Goon get it done here but finals footy can make anything happen.