by Rob Popplestone
With the top six settled, it is all about positioning now for those fortunate enough to have secured a Mid Gippsland football finals spot.
The potential of a double chance is still up for grabs for several teams.
However, for those seven sides whose home and away season will finish in a fortnight, there still remains pride in performance. That will be put to the test on Saturday.
Hill End v MDU
MDU will have the satisfaction of knowing they have a finals spot all tied up. But the extension of that is bringing form that warrants a shot at the very best.
This game will be an important part of finding that.
"Gave the boys a really light week this week after a few tough weeks in a row," MDU coach Nathan Allen reported. "We head to Hill End this week, who really challenged us a few weeks ago. Hoping to continue our run of good form and keep building momentum towards the end of the year"
This is a great test for both the Demons and the Rovers.
Hill End coach Ambu Uliando said "we put in a solid four quarter effort" in their last outing with MDU.
"(We) will have to do the same this weekend if we want to be competitive," Uliando added.
Competitive is the first step. From there, who knows what may happen.
A win is unlikely for the home side, but their usual honest performance will be enough to let the Demons know they are around.
Foster v Fish Creek
The match of the round will see first placed Fish Creek and fourth place Foster clashing at the Tigers' home ground, with ladder position affected no matter the result.
These two clubs are South Gippsland rivals with proud histories. Both will be desperate for victory, especially Foster.
Coming off a bye, Foster coach Sam Davies said it was "always a great contest" when the two teams meet.
"We look forward to the challenge after they got us a month ago," Davies said.
A win over the reigning premiers could be the perfect platform from which to launch a finals campaign for the Tigers. But that is a lot easier said than done.
Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker described it as a "massive game".
"(There) will be a finals atmosphere and a finals intensity," Walker said. "A lot on the line in terms of ladder position, so we are looking forward to the contest."
So many contests during the 2024 season have been rightfully promoted as "season defining". This is, without question, within that category and is sure to attract one of the bigger crowds of the year.
Boolarra v Stony Creek
It has been quite an extraordinary season, with very little separating the "haves" and the "have nots" - those that are ready to play finals and those that could have if not for close losses.These two teams have been so close many times but, frustratingly, have fallen short time and time again.
Stony Creek coach Chris Verboon said "both teams are hungry for a win late in the year".
Starving might be a better description. The Lions were hopeful of far more than what they have produced this season. Yet, they have never been too far away and some small improvements would likely make the world of difference in the 2025 season.
The same applies for their weekend opponents.
Ahead of his team's final game of the season, Boolarra coach Brendan Mason said "we will be looking to put in a strong performance to finish off the year".
With so many footballing "changes" being discussed by so many clubs and leagues, the best you can do is control the controllable. If either or both of these sides can do that, good things await.
Morwell East v Newborough
As good as the Hawks have been, winning is the number one priority for Morwell East.
Last week's three-point loss to Yinnar cost them top spot. Another loss could start to really hurt.
Morwell East coach Paul Henry said they wanted to create a "finals feel" last week in a big home game against Yinnar.
"We had Kevin Sheedy speak to the players in the changerooms pre-game," Henry said. (A) great experience for all."
He said the side was "looking forward" to this weekend's clash.
Henry will have his side ready to go, and will need to, up against another experienced coaching competitor in Newborough's Craig Skinner.
After a bye weekend, Skinner said they were eager to play on the "grand final ground".
"We still need to win to secure a finals spot," he said. "We got a touch up earlier in the season, so expect us to be better prepared Saturday."
The Bulldogs, off field, have distractions outside of this weekend. However, coach Skinner cares only about what confronts them in round 17 - and that is a tough task of getting over the top of Morwell East.
Toora v Tarwin
Tarwin finally grabbed the win they deserved with a tight and tough three-point victory over Stony Creek.
It was just the tonic ahead of another big test against an honest Toora side on the Magpies' home ground.
The Sharks did the job nicely in front of a strong local crowd, but now comes a task away from home.
Tarwin coach Jason Kennedy said it was great to get a win at home, with "a fantastic spread" as "all 21 players contributed".
"We head to Toora and will continue to look for a four quarter effort," Kennedy said.
The full four quarters will be required too. Toora have been good for most of the year, even when not winning.
Perhaps their biggest obstacle is having the midfielders on the job after having to witness the serious injury to Thorpdale opponent Jason Winderlich last Saturday. It was an incident that makes transparent the priorities between life and sport.
"Life is bigger than football," Toora coach Jack Weston said. "My thoughts are with Jason, his family and the wider Thorpdale Football Netball Club. As a club, we all hope for a positive outcome and are sending all our love his way."
The MGFNL community have been tested this week and, to be honest, passed with flying colours. The genuine concern and love for a fellow footballer highlights the true qualities of our sport and our league.
Byes: Mirboo North, Thorpdale and Yinnar.