by Davyd Reid
The first place in the Ellinbank District Football Netball League senior grand final is on the line at Lang Lang on Saturday as we reach the pointy end of the season.
With one more team dropping off in last week's eliminators, it's down to the final four to battle it out for the ultimate prize over the final three weeks.
That begins with the top teams taking on the winners of last week's qualifiers, with a place in the decider and another week off the prize for Saturday's second semi finals.
Neerim-Neerim South have taken all before it this season, and will start favourite in the senior football match on the back of its strong home and away season form. This form saw the Cats finish four games clear of their nearest rival.
And it's that rival that has won through for another shot, second-placed Buln Buln comfortably accounting for third-placed Trafalgar last week.
Anything can happen in the pressure cooker of finals football, and the Lyrebirds will give themselves every chance as arguably the best placed team to challenge the Cats.
Buln Buln have built up to full strength at the right time of the season and are in good form, having not lost in the nine appearances since their last encounter with the Cats in round 12.
Trafalgar were somewhat able to challenge the Cats in round 17, entering the final change just three-points in arrears.
Contests between the Lyrebirds and Cats indicate the top team could be challenged again.
Narrow losses of 15 and 19 points respectively were underscored by returns of 3-15 and 3-13 from the Lyrebirds.
Should they take their opportunities on Saturday, the result may look different.
The Cats will also be in action in the reserves and under 18s, the reserves winning through last week to take on top team Ellinbank while the under 18s take on Longwarry.
The Crows will take on Yarragon in the under 16s.
Trafalgar will look to avoid a straight set exit on its home ground in Sunday's first semi final, but it won't come easy against an Ellinbank side in full flight.
Injuries and unavailability have cruelled the Eagles this season, but a near full strength side took to the park last week and easily dismantled Poowong in a dominant display.
The Eagles finished the 2021 season that was cut short by the pandemic undefeated on 10 wins, and were always going to be a threat should they qualify for the top five.
Having displayed indifferent form through the home and away rounds, Nathaniel Paredes returned to his ominous best form last week. And the Eagles could get stronger still with Adam Cook still to return.
The Bloods will back themselves in on their home and away form, but will need to be at their best to advance.
Trafalgar will host Buln Buln in the reserves, Ellinbank play Buln Buln in the under 18s while Neerim-Neerim South meet Ellinbank in the under 16s.
Games times: 2.10pm seniors, 12.15pm reserves, 10.25am under 18s and 8.45am under 16s.
Venues: Lang Lang on Saturday, and Trafalgar on Sunday.