Rochester and Shepparton United will face off with a spot inside the bottom two at stake this weekend.
The final round will see the Tigers and Demons line up at Moon Oval locked on three wins each from 17 games, with the loser set to finish the year inside the bottom two on the ladder.
Rochester will no doubt look to get off to a fast start, which it did with great effect against Echuca last week.
The Tigers defied the odds to lead the reigning premier by 13 points at quarter-time, getting on top in a number of areas.
Rochester levelled the centre clearances at two each, no mean feat considering the Murray Bombers lead the league for that stat, while also claiming the overall clearance win by taking first possession at the ball-ups four times as opposed to Echuca’s one.
The Tigers went inside attacking 50 on 12 occasions just one more time than Echuca, however Rochy was much more effective, recording 92 per cent entry efficiency compared to the Murray Bombers’ 55 per cent.
While dominated in the disposal count, collecting 25 less touches than their opposition, the Tigers showed a hard edge to be plus-three in contested possessions on their way to a three-goal term, recording seven scoring shots to Echuca’s four.
Rochester’s first quarter vs Echuca
Disposals: 68 (-25)
Clearances: 7 (+1)
Contested possessions: 28 (+3)
Inside 50s: 12 (+1)
Inside 50 entry efficiency: 92% (+37%)
Score: 3.4 (22) (+13 points)