by Davyd Reid
The battle for the one remaining finals berth continues as Ellinbank and District senior football enters it penultimate home and away round.
With the top four all now safe, Ellinbank and Lang Lang remain vying for the final spot with the former taking in a 19-percentage point advantage.
Both will enter round 17 facing higher ranked opponents and if either can manage an upset, it will place them in the box seat entering the final round.
Ellinbank will host a Buln Buln side looking to keep in touch with the double chance, even though Trafalgar remain in a strong position with a much more favourable draw.
The Bloods should maintain their advantage, hosting a Bunyip side that has managed just the two wins this season.
Lang Lang will travel to play a Longwarry side that could wrap up second spot with victory.
MASON McGarrity will require just one goal to bring up the century when his Neerim-Neerim South host Nilma-Darnum.
The crafty forward brought up goal number 99 during the third quarter last week, before spending the rest of the match in the midfield.
McGarrity will be favoured to bring up the milestone early during sponsors day for the club, with the Cats expected to maintain their unbeaten record.
OTHER matches see lower ranked clubs looking for morale boosting wins, as Yarragon host Poowong and Catani face off against Nyora.
THE reserves competition has its top five locked, with only who will finish where in the top three.
Just one win separates top of the table Longwarry to Lang Lang and Trafalgar.
Neerim-Neerim South and Ellinbank are destined for an elimination final.
AN undefeated Ellinbank has already claimed the minor premiership in an otherwise even under 18 competition.
Just two wins separate second-placed Longwarry from sixth-placed Neerim-Neerim South, with seventh-placed Lang Lang also in the finals hunt with seven wins.
Buln Buln, Nilma-Darnum and Poowong round out third through to fifth.
BUNYIP could clinch the minor premiership in the under 16s should they defeat Trafalgar in a top of the table clash.
The Bulldogs currently have a six-point advantage over the Bloods.
Poowong and Ellinbank follow on 10 wins, with only one set to obtain the double chance.
Yarragon and Catani vie for fifth position, with each on eight wins.