The final round of the Mallee Football League has arrived and ladder positions are still up for grabs.

Walpeup Underbool will be hoping that recent good form will help them with a last ditch effort to climb into the top four. They are currently 2 games and percentage below this week’s opponents, Ouyen United. While they will need to win 3 of their last 4 games, and have other games go their way, there is no doubt they won’t have thrown the towel in just yet.

There is much less pressure when you are playing with nothing to lose, and the Roos will use this to their advantage to play with freedom and take risks. Their younger players have grown throughout the season and have been a big part of their success in the latter part of the season. The confidence of these players is sky high and when you combine this with the poise of their consistent senior performers, it makes for a team on the rise.

The Demons have battled injury and form and have not won a game since round 8. While they have played some excellent football in this time, they have let themselves down with a few last quarter fade-outs. There is plenty on the line for the Demons this week. The pressure has been slowly building, but a triumph over their arch enemies in an historic match, will cement their place in the top 4, and may just give them the momentum they need for the run home.

The Southern Mallee Giants are also hoping to consolidate their position on the ladder when they host the Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers.

The Giants haven’t really been near the Tigers this season, going down by 83 points in their last meeting. While playing at Beulah will give them a small advantage, they will need to improve in a few other areas if they are a chance of victory. They have conceded a total of 60 goals in the three matches this year with Jordan Doering booting 25 of them. This will be an obvious focus for the Giants when they go into battle on the weekend. While the Giants have had some excellent players down back, it may be that pressure needs to come from across all lines.

The Tigers haven’t been in their best form during their last 3 encounters, however they will be looking to make this game a return to the dominant style of football they demonstrated earlier in the year. It will be all about a consistent 4-quarter effort for the ladder leaders. They have had to dig themselves out of a hole on a few occasions, so a solid start to the game will be a focus.

The Tigers are the only team who have been able to cement their spot on the ladder, so from now on it is all about ironing out the creases and consolidating an outstanding season so far, into the finals.

By Dale Shannon