Yet another fascinating top four encounter awaits Picola and District Football League fans on Saturday afternoon.
Strathmerton welcomes a red-hot Waaia outfit to Strathmerton Recreation Reserve, and both sides enter the fixture on the back of some superb outings in recent games.
With just two regular-season rounds remaining, there’s little to separate the competition’s heavy-hitters, with Tungamah, Waaia, Strathmerton and Katamatite all rubbing shoulders in a top four tussle.
Both the Bulldogs and Bombers are finals-bound, and Strathmerton co-coach Tim Bramich said there had been a lot to like about his side in recent performances.
“We’re confident — we’re going alright lately and we’ll see how we go on Saturday,” Bramich said.
"But it is still fairly even in those top four positions, everyone is in the same sort of spot.“
After going down to Tungamah in a nail-biter in round 13, the Bulldogs have looked ruthless in their previous two outings, blowing away Tocumwal and Mathoura in convincing fashion.
Bramich said his side had rebounded well following the Bears defeat.
“That was a game we probably could have won,” he said.
“We’ve been going along alright and we’re pretty confident with where we’re at.”
The Bombers kick-started their superb campaign back in March with a 33-point win over Strathmerton, a result Bramich said his side would be eager to atone for.
“They definitely got the jump on us in that game and we were probably only just hanging in there, they were ready and we weren’t,” he said.
“In a roundabout sort of way it’ll be on our minds, we’re a pretty proud sort of group.”
The Bulldogs coach will look to his on-ball unit to set the tone this weekend, and identified a number of key performers who he hoped would do so on Saturday.
“Through the midfield (the game could be decided), Jake Ellery’s had a real consistent year, Connor Hargreaves as well,” Bramich said.
"We’ve had a bit more of an even spread, Ryan Butler off half-back has had a good year and our forwards are starting to hit the scoreboard a bit more which is good.“
In remaining round 17 action, the stage is set for a crunch clash at Katandra, where the Kats are due to welcome Tungamah.
Trent Herbert’s men will be playing for a chance to slink into the top four, while the Bears will look to strengthen their grip on top spot.
Berrigan and Picola United lock horns in what presents as one of United’s last chances to book its finals ticket.
The eighth-placed Saints sit just two points ahead of the Blues.
Meanwhille, Rennie and Mathoura go head-to-head, while Jerilderie will look to strengthen its finals credentials as it hosts Blighty.