While three weeks remain before North Gippsland Football League finals series commences, the make-up of the top five still remains somewhat of a mystery with results last Saturday again tipping the contest for fifth position on its head.

With the front runners having firmed their hold on a finals berth, it is the fierce challenge that rages between Yarram, last year’s premiers Churchill and Heyfield for fourth and fifth position with an elimination final showdown on the agenda.

Little separates the trio, a four point buffer currently sees Yarram and Churchill in the box seat over Heyfield, but with several defining clashes remaining in the final rounds anything could happen. Fifth position is quickly resembling that of a revolving door, with sides moving in and out. The men at the helm of Yarram, Churchill and Heyfield will be impressing on their line-ups that the opportunities are passing and passing quickly if they are to ensure they take part in one of the tightest premiership races.

Rebounding strongly YARRAM moved back into fourth place on the premiership ladder standings on the back of the Demons percentage boosting 106 point victory.

Like several of the opposition the Demons sit precariously at the tail end of the top five and will embark on a series of cutthroat matches to decide if they will cling on to that spot.

These matches are the perfect tests for this in-form Demons outfit that will need to reclaim their early season form when it matters. It starts with CHURHILL at home this week, followed by Cowwarr on the road the round after. With the big one the clash against Sale City to round out the season.

This is the next big test. The Demons have proven throughout the season to be one of the better sides chasing the competitions front runners, in fact the Demons have accounted for Rosedale and TTU, two of the competitions top three sides.

But they have to replicate those types of performances against another genuine premiership contender.

Tested by a persistent Tiger outfit, Cougars coach Allan Chandler knows the stakes don’t get any higher for the reigning premiers with Saturdays contest against Yarram on their home turf followed by ladder leaders Rosedale to determine his sides fate.

With the results of other key matches in the concluding rounds of the home and away season to feature in their end of season ambitions, the Cougars can ill afford to drop that 10 percent which coach Allan Chandler knows first-hand can be more then costly in this situation.

TTU come into the showdown against second placed SALE CITY on the back of tough encounter with the Saints serving it up to their rivals the high flying Bombers.

Far from dictating the game on their terms the Bombers will this week host a side who in comparison did at will as they trounced the Wildcats in a one sided affair.

Sitting side by side on the premiership ladder standings there is plenty at play for either side with the Bombers two points in arears of the Dogs.

However Bomber coach Jay Neagle won’t be drawn into all that is at stake, rather he remains content as he has done all season to take it one week at a time.

“The double chance would be a bonus, but we will just take it one game at a time and focus on what we can control,” Neagle said.

“We just aim to keep on learning and improving within ourselves week in week out.”

A goal less premiership term in the sides round seven match proved telling in the Bombers 36 point loss, on that day the Bombers fielded a depleted line-up against a side who were led from the front by captain Matt Lutze and recruit of the year David Piasente.

Neagle is anticipating that there will be likely changes to the side that ran out back in May against one of the competitions main flag contenders.

“I think they had a couple of injuries as well but we should have one or two different players from last time,” said Neagle.

“Seeing them the first time we played they have a similar style of play to us, so it should be a good game.”

Sitting at the opposite end of the table ROSEDALE will be out to extend their six game winning streak when they meet GLENGARRY.

In their earlier meeting the Blues proved too slick for the Magpies claiming the honours by 118 points.

The Magpies will be conscious that they can ill afford to allow the Blues to dictate the contest on their terms early otherwise they will find themselves in familiar territory as they did back first time around.

Described by the man at the helm as a “tough few weeks since the break” WOODSIDE coach Daniel Risol can draw many positives from his first season in charge of the Wildcats.

Restricted to their lowest score this season, last week’s clash against a rebounding Sale City can be best described as a tough day at the office. And for the Wildcats the going won’t get any easier when they host a side who is playing to keep their finals pulse beating.

No doubt disappointed with their inability to match their top of the table opponents for a full four quarters, HEYFIELD will be out to avenge last Saturdays defeat and regain some pride.

Needing to bank an important four points the Kangaroos will meet a Wildcats outfit who Risol has evolved during his tenure.

“We have managed to play nine different thirds players this year, seeing them develop and take the game on has been a positive,” Risol said.

Highlighting a few of his chargers as having had standout seasons, Risol knows that he will need the sides 22 to stand tall this week against Heyfield.

“Ryan Foat has had an awesome year, Ben Johnson has played great since coming back from injury and Blake Red has stood up in the backline under a lot of pressure.

“I am hoping for a better performance, with the aim to play better football for longer periods in quarters this week,” he said.

With a matches in the coming fortnight against Glengarry and finals contenders TTU in the final round, Saturdays result of not only their game, but the cards of others, need to fall the Kangaroos way if they are to remain in the hunt for premiership glory.

Gallant in their efforts last Saturday, GORMANDALE will no doubt disappointed by the one that got away. The Tigers outscoring the reigning premiers in a strong second term showing, however it was a costly six goal deficit at the first change that would prove to be in Churchill’s favour.

Demonstrating plenty of fight to claw their way back into the contest, the Tigers season has certainly been one of mixed fortunes. Testing a number of the competitions leading sides, Gormandale has a nucleus of young players who will be hungry for the four points as reward for what has been continued improvement despite their win loss ledger.

With coach Luke Henderson making it known that he will step away from the role at seasons end after three years the Tigers will be eager to turn the tables on COWWARR.

The Saints snatching a two point thriller when the sides in the first half of the fixture. Cowwarr relinquishing a 23 point margin at the final change to rally to come from behind in the dying stages of the contest in an epic arm wrestle.

With both sides displaying impressive form in past weeks, despite not recording a win, the stage is set for an enthralling contest.

By Lauren Carey