by Nicholas Duck
A local side can lock in their ticket to the finals series with a win this week, as a tantalising top-of-the-table clash looms large.
Dalyston vs Warragul Industrials
Warragul Industrials are two games clear inside the top six courtesy of their barnstorming win over Phillip Island last week and will look to back it up against Dalyston on Saturday.
And while a challenge to their finals spot is unlikely, they can absolutely put it to bed with a win here.
The Dusties reigned supreme at Western Park as they systematically dismantled the Bulldogs, who had been in some truly fearsome form leading into the game.
It broke a long run of matches in which the Dusties have been able to challenge the competition's best without getting a result, and will have them up and about coming into the home stretch of the season.
Of course, it took some time for them to break into the top six this season. The team they displaced only a few weeks ago? Dalyston.
Yes, the Magpies' fortunes have been the reverse of the Dusties in 2023. Where Warragul Industrials began the year slowly, Dalyston looked a serious finals contender. Where Warragul Industrials have now hit some serious form, Dalyston have all but lost theirs.
Since beginning the year five and two, the boys in black and white have won just one of their past eight games - that being a marginal four-point win over the struggling Koo wee rup.
Included in that run of poor form was a heavy 88-point loss to the Dusties.
With finals all but gone for Dalyston this will be more about pride than anything else, but Warragul Industrials are eyeing off bigger things.
Can they tick off another box in the lead-up to finals?
Garfield vs Kilcunda Bass
Garfield hosts Kilcunda Bass as they attempt to build a platform for next season.
The Stars have been a noticeably improved unit this season but remain some way off the better teams in the competition.
Their record has improved from one win to four and their percentage is much healthier, although it must be noted their four wins have come from repeat match-ups against Korumburra-Bena and Bunyip - the only two teams below them on the ladder.
Coach Paul Carbis has spoken about wanting these last few weeks to be a "mini finals series" for his troops and while they found the going tough trying to contain Cora Lynn, Kilcunda Bass presents a more realistic challenge.
The Panthers are just two wins above the Stars on the ladder. They've been a vague finals threat at times, but have never truly thrown their hat into the ring as much as they could have.
So here we have a young side trying to prove itself versus a middling team that's striving to show they can still show some good footy.
We'll see who wins.
Koo wee rup vs Bunyip
With just three chances of a drought breaking win remaining, it's all or nothing for Bunyip as their season from hell nears its end.
The Bulldogs have been beaten from pillar to post this year as they've felt the full effects of off-season turmoil.
It's been all about growth and blooding their youth rather than wins - although their lack of an under 18s team has certainly not helped their case.
Last week's 114-point demolishment at the hands of the ladder leading Inverloch-Kongwak was hardly a shock given the disparity between the two teams, but now a chance lies in front of the boys on the bottom.
Koo wee rup have hardly set the world on fire this year, going from a potential improver pre-season to a lower ranked disappointment.
The Demons were more than good enough to handle the Bulldogs the first time around in a game that was hardly one for the replays. No doubt they would like to avoid being the first (and likely only) team to lose to Bunyip this season.
The Bulldogs will be looking to salute this week in particular as they pay tribute to Robert Hughes, who will be playing his 300th senior match for the club in a storied career. 
Should Bunyip lose here their final two weeks see them face Dalyston and Nar Nar Goon.
They stand a slight chance in the first but almost no chance in the latter, meaning that this may be their last real opportunity to avoid a dreaded winless season.
Other games
It's the reigning premier up against the challenger when Tooradin-Dalmore travels away to face Inverloch-Kongwak.
The Seagulls have been strong but without looking the all-conquering side that stormed their way to the flag, while the Sea Eagles have tasted defeat just once this year in a barnstorming run of form.
Expect the winner to take a lot of confidence going into finals.
The top six sees another clash when Cora Lynn faces Phillip Island.
With Cobra key forward Nathan Gardiner in imperious form, Cora Lynn has challenged just about every team in the league.
Phillip Island will need to rebound from their second loss of the season last week and have rarely been a team to lose two games in a row.
Finally, Nar Nar Goon meets Korumburra Bena.
The Goon are coming into the home stretch in fine form, being the only team to have knocked off Inverloch-Kongwak thus far.
The for the struggling Giants this may be a case of how badly do they lose.