SPOTS three and four on the SFNL A Grade ladder are up for grabs this weekend, as Irymple, Ouyen United and Merbein fight to secure a finals berth.
There are only three rounds left before finals, and teams in the middle of the ladder are starting to feel the pressure.
Wentworth and Mildura sit pretty in first and second, locking in their semi finals game, but the battle for spots three and four continues, with the Swallows, Kangas, Pies and Bulldogs all contenders.
South Mildura unfortunately have the bye this weekend, leaving them in sixth for the time being.
Irymple is leading the pack in third but come up against undefeated Wentworth this week.
The last time the two teams faced off, the Swallows were defeated 53 to 28 after a strong and ruthless start from the Roos.
It is likely that unstoppable Wentworth will defeat the Swallows, which would leave third-place open for the steal.
Fourth-placed Ouyen United are only just behind Irymple by two points, and fifth-placed Merbein are only behind them by 6.5 per cent.
The Kangas will be eager to pass Irymple with a win against eighth-placed Robinvale Euston, but the Eagles will be sure to make them work for it.
Merbein will face Imperials, and a win from them as well would put the third-place battle down to percentage.
The Pies, however, were defeated by 12 goals the last time they played seventh-placed Imps.
In Saturday’s other game, Red Cliffs, who are currently bottom of the ladder with only one draw, go up against second-placed Mildura at Brian Weightman Oval.
Mildura have only lost to Wentworth this season.
The last time the two met, Mildura were impressed by the Tigers’ pressure and fight.
To jump from their bottom of the ladder spot, the Tigers need to secure two wins in the final three rounds and the Eagles would need to lose all three of theirs.
