by Nicholas Duck
It's the final round of the Gippsland League this week and while neither of the local sides will feature in finals, pride is on the line as they search for some late-season joy.
Warragul vs Bairnsdale
Nobody would begrudge Warragul for feeling a bit annoyed at how this season has played out.
Injuries have been the biggest factor in how the Gulls' year has played out, crippling the senior side before they even had a chance to put their best team on the park.
Some of their talent has returned over the past few weeks, but regardless it's been a grind down at Western Park.
But the show must go on.
The Gulls have been eyeing off this final round match with the similarly struggling Bairnsdale as a grand final of sorts, and will be more than keen to make an impression before the season's out.
Outside of a shocking win over Traralgon a few weeks ago - one that still defies explanation - the Redlegs have endured another tough stretch of matches.
Their new recruits have all made an impact, but with just two wins from their last 14 games it's going to be another off-season of soul searching for the men down the highway.
It makes for an interesting battle here.
With nothing on the horizon beyond this week, both teams would love nothing more than to end a difficult year on a high note and head into their break with a base to build on top of.
Bairnsdale got the better of Warragul earlier this year, coming home with a wet sail to turn a close game into one-way traffic.
The past three matches between the two have played out in a similar fashion, with the home side claiming a sizeable win.
The Redlegs have the advantage going further back, however, having beaten the Gulls in eight of their past 10 meetings.
Nick Stevenson and Liam Serong return for the Gulls, replacing Tim Davine and young sharpshooter Jasper Alger.
Bairnsdale have a raft of changes, with team regulars like John Gooch, Ricky Tatnell and Cohen Frith all coming back into the team.
On paper there's little to play for here, but you can guarantee both teams won't be looking at it that way.
Moe vs Drouin
Drouin finish their year with a difficult prospect as they travel away to face a bonafide premiership contender in Moe.
It's been a year of growth for the Hawks - despite not bettering their win tally from last year, they've played an attractive brand that has at times really challenged their best.
Their percentage has jumped from 50 last year to 68 as things stand, and they've become the sixth-highest scoring team in the league after being dead last in that stat in 2022.
What hasn't come is the wins. The Hawks have been desperately unlucky at times, going down by under 10 points in five different games.
But with them highly unlikely to win here, maroon and gold fans are going to have to settle for just the two positive results.
Senior coach Brent Clinnick has been very positive about what his team can achieve in the future, but for now they need to make a good fist of their final match.
Moe have proven to be one of the league's best this season.
With a perfect record in away matches, plus two wins over reigning premiers Leongatha, the Lions are primed to challenge come finals as they search for their first flag since 1967.
They've won 10 of their last 11, their lone defeat being a one-point loss to top side Wonthaggi.
Despite missing a couple of their stars - and former AFL talent - in backman Declan Keilty and forward Billy Gowers, there's plenty of reason to think they'll get it done comfortably here.
Adding to that is their recent record against the Hawks - 11 straight wins, including a 10-goal victory earlier this season.
To their credit Drouin were able to challenge the Lions early in that match, but the gap between a team at the beginning of their rebuild to one at the peak of their powers was always going to win out.
The visitors have made just one change to their line-up, with young Zachary McMillan becoming the latest - and final - junior Hawk to get his opportunity for season 2023.
It's almost impossible to see them winning here, but the Hawks have one last chance to continue reclaiming the respect of the league.
Other games
It's an early preview of the upcoming elimination final as Traralgon hosts Sale.
Both teams are locked into their positions, meaning these two will be facing off twice over the next two Saturdays.
Given it's a dead rubber here, don't expect either team to play all their cards. Finals are always full of surprises, and the Maroons and Magpies will want to keep a few up their sleeves.
One of the greatest rivalries in the league ain't what it used to be when Leongatha plays Maffra.
These two were renowned for their gargantuan battles through the past couple of decades, but now find themselves at very opposite ends of the ladder.
As the reigning premiers the Parrots are looking for their second consecutive premiership, while the Eagles are planting the seeds for future success.
Leongatha are looking at a big win here leading into yet another finals campaign.
Finally Wonthaggi will look to lock in a week off when they hit the road to play Morwell.
A win will see them seal the minor premiership and a guaranteed bye next week, while a loss could see Moe swoop.
Morwell have nothing to play for at the end of a disappointing year but would love an upset to see out the season.