GVL | The state of play leading into the final round of the home and away season

While Echuca has officially sewn up the minor premiership, all five remaining spots in the top six have the capacity to change come Saturday evening, making for an exhilarating end to what has been a fascinating season.

So we at The News thought we’d cast our eye over the ladder leading into round 18 and give our two cents worth on what the first weekend of finals might look like.

Note: We have only considered the top seven teams (Echuca, Mansfield, Euroa, Rochester, Moorooopna, Kyabram and Seymour) as they are the only teams that can play finals.

1. Echuca (16-1, 277.99 per cent)

Round 18 match-up: Mooroopna at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve

A dominant home and away season has Echuca in a position where it cannot be usurped from top spot on the ladder.

The minor premier has emerged victorious on all 17 occasions it has taken the field, with its only official loss coming from a registration error, and will enter the finals series a hot favourite to claim its first premiership since 2002.

And, while this weekend’s game against Mooroopna cannot change their position on the ladder, the Murray Bombers will still be determined to play spoiler for the Cats as they chase a first finals appearance since 2014.

Predicted finish: First (17-1)

2. Mansfield (14-3, 164.19)

Round 18 match-up: Tatura at Tatura Park

Mansfield has its destiny in its own hands leading into the final round.

Travel to Tatura Park and defeat the Bulldogs on Saturday and second spot is it, lose and it could be jumped by third-placed Euroa.

And, while most pundits will be predicting a strong Eagles victory, the 11th-placed Bulldogs still have a fair bit to play for as they farewell senior coach and club legend Paul Kirby in what is set to be an emotionally charged day.

Predicted finish: Second (15-3)

3. Euroa (13-4, 181.51)

Round 18 match-up: Benalla at Benalla Showgrounds

Euroa will have its eyes firmly fixed on what is happening at Tatura Park as it hopes to rise into the top two.

If Mansfield shockingly loses to Tatura, it will rise into the top two, but if the Eagles get the job done it will be a third place finish for Scott Rowan’s men.

They will still have to take care of business on the road at Benalla Showgrounds to have any chance of moving into second and should do rather convincingly.

But in the end a loss at Seymour in round 16 is looking like it will cost the Magpies a top two finish.

Predicted finish: Third (14-4)

4. Rochester (11-6, 150.38)

Round 18 match-up: Shepparton at Moon Oval

No matter what happens against Shepparton this weekend it is almost certain Rochester will play finals in 2022.

Currently finding itself on 11 wins with a healthy percentage, victory on Saturday would absolutely solidify its position in the six and also, effectively, lock in a fourth-placed finish.

While it would be unlikely, a loss could have the Tigers drop as low as seventh if Seymour and Kyabram make up hefty percentage gaps and Mooroopna upsets Echuca.

But given the percentage gap to the Lions and Bombers is above 12 and Echuca hasn’t lost a match, what is more likely is that even if Rochester is beaten by the Bears, it remains in fourth spot and gears up for an elimination final.

Predicted finish: Fourth (12-6)

5. Mooroopna (11-6, 135.44)

Round 18 match-up: Echuca at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve

This is where things get a little more interesting.

As Mooroopna coach John Lamont has dubbed for the past month or so, his team is on the race to 12 wins, and having faltered in its past two outings against Mansfield and Euroa, currently finds itself stranded on 11.

Now facing the rampant Murray Bombers to finish the home and away season the equation is simple, win and the Cats play finals, lose and they more than likely find themselves in seventh spot come weekend’s end.

This is due to the fact that Kyabram and Seymour, who are one win behind the Cats, face lowly opponents in Shepparton Swans and Shepparton United and are either ahead or just about level with the Cats on percentage.

So if Mooroopna is to play finals for the first time since 2014 it must do what no other team has done this year — beat Echuca.

Predicted finish: Seventh (11-7)

6. Kyabram (10-7, 137.42)

Round 18 match-up: Shepparton Swans @ Kyabram Recreation Reserve

If Kyabram can beat Shepparton Swans on its home deck this weekend it should play finals.

That result would leave the Bombers on 11 wins and, already having a stronger percentage than Mooroopna, would have them jump the Cats should they lose to Echuca.

A victory could, however, still leave them vulnerable to Seymour as it faces destined wooden spooner Shepparton United at Deakin Reserve.

With the percentage gap between the two sides only 2.3, if the Lions destroy the Demons and Kyabram only just beats Swans, the gap could easily be closed.

A loss to the Swans on Saturday would probably leave the Bombers out of the six, as Seymour would almost certainly move above them and Mooroopna maintain its finals spot win, lose or draw.

Predicted finish: Fifth (11-7)

7. Seymour (10-7, 135.03)

Round 18 match-up: Shepparton United at Deakin Reserve

Despite finding itself outside the top six as round 18 begins, it looks as if Seymour will be playing finals.

Coming up against bottom side Shepparton United at Deakin Reserve, if the Lions record a big win they could rise to as high as fifth on the ladder.

The results of the Mooroopna and Kyabram games will play a major role in where Seymour finishes.

If the Cats lose to Echuca, it will almost certainly move above them on the ladder given the percentage gap is just 4.

A Mooroopna win on the other hand would leave the Lions unable to jump above it.

At Kyabram, if the Swans upset the Bombers, Seymour would rise above them with a victory.

While if the Bombers win, margins would then come into play, with a massive victory over the Demons still having the potential to bridge the 2.3 per cent gap.

Predicted finish: Sixth (11-7)