by Davyd Reid
And it comes down to five.
Each side will look to advance their case as Ellinbank and District football finals commence this weekend.
LONGWARRY'S senior, reserves and under 18s will each get the benefit of a home final as the qualifiers get played at the Crows' home ground on Saturday.
Sunday's elimination finals will be played at Bunyip.
In the seniors on Saturday it will be Longwarry and Trafalgar playing off for another shot at the undefeated Neerim-Neerim South, the following week's contest offering a straight path through to the decider.
While the Crows finished two games clear of the Bloods, it's the third-placed team that enters with a slight advantage on percentage.
It makes for an enthralling contest.
The same two sides will also face off in the reserves qualifier, the two clubs finishing in identical positions across the open age competitions.
Each enter the contest having finished the home and away season at 16-2 with a healthy percentage, setting up what should be another close contest.
The under 18s made it a trifecta of second-placed finishes for the Crows. They finished one game clear of opponents Buln Buln, who carry the superior percentage.
Bunyip play Poowong to commence the under 16s finals, having dropped from top spot in the final round.
With just two wins between top-of-the-table Trafalgar and fourth-placed Ellinbank, it bodes well for a competitive finals series.
BULN BULN will enter favorite in Sunday's elimination final.
The Lyrebirds finished four games clear of the fifth-placed Ellinbank, but anything can happen come finals.
Neerim-Neerim South and Ellinbank should produce a thrilling eliminator in the reserves, separated by just percentage coming in.
Nilma-Darnum and Poowong will meet in the under 18s while Ellinbank host a combined outfit of Yarragon and Hill End players playing under the Panthers' banner in the under 16s.