The heat is well and truly on in the race for Kyabram District League finals footy.
But the end is in sight, and KDL fans will have more of an idea of who will feature in September after the home-and-away season comes to a close this weekend.
Number eight spot is still up for grabs.
A number of clubs’ prospects still hang in the balance, with Dookie United, Merrigum and Girgarre all playing for that coveted eighth place.
Dookie United faces the daunting challenge of a trip to third-placed Lancaster and there’s no two ways about it — the Thunder must win this weekend if it is to play finals.
Daniel Burness and Jack Threlfall’s men will have to be at their very best to salvage anything against an in-form Wombats outfit, who have not dropped points in their last six outings.
Currently hanging on to eighth is Merrigum, who will do battle with Murchison-Toolamba for its finals ticket.
The Hoppers are in good nick following a thrilling two-point win at Stanhope last time out.
But only a number of weeks ago, the Bulldogs took the game to Murchison-Toolamba in a narrow 10-point loss.
It’s a performance they will have to replicate, and improve upon, if they are to play finals footy.
It all may be decided on Sunday however, when Girgarre heads to Redlegs Stadium.
Longwood is the Roos’ final test this year, and on the back of a big win over Tallygaroopna last Saturday, Damian Cupido’s side will be eager to secure what could be a crucial four points.
For Nagambie and Shepparton East, Saturday’s game won’t be quite as stressful.
Both clubs are finals-bound, but that’s not to say the stakes aren’t as high, with Shepparton East still playing for a top four finish.
Lakers coach Tyrone Muir said although he was relieved to have punched a ticket to finals, his side would be well-prepared for Saturday’s clash.
“Obviously we’ve qualified for finals, it’s good to have that out of the way,” he said.
“They’re playing for a spot in the top four, we’ve got to be prepared for them to come out and give it everything.”
Following five straight wins, including a seismic four-point win over Avenel and a dismantling of Shepparton East, Muir said he was delighted with how his side had turned its season around.
He said a solid crew of young contributors had come to the fore in recent games.
“I’m really proud, we were pretty much staring down the barrel in round seven, we’ve won our last five games to get into finals which I’m really proud of,” he said.
“Our young boys have really lifted; Johno Moore is playing really well, and Will Dalton, Will O’Brien and Nick Glentzes have all been playing some really good footy.”
“It’ll be really good for them to get some good finals experience.”
It’s blockbusters all throughout the KDL fixture list this weekend, with table-topper Avenel to do battle with Violet Town.
The Swans could be knocked off their perch if the Towners come to play, and with VT forward ace Jack Exell nearing a ton of goals, Kasey Duncan’s men will have to be at their best to avoid a last-minute slip-up.
Fifth-placed Stanhope could sneak into the top four with a win over Tallygaroopna, but results elsewhere will need to go its way.
Lastly, Rushworth and Undera will bring their seasons to a close when they clash at Rushworth Recreation Reserve.