Wimmera-Mail Times| A VIRTUAL elimination final looms for Edenhope-Apsley and Jeparit-Rainbow at Apsley Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
Both teams sport 5-5 records, with the Storm clinging to fifth place because of its superior percentage.
Edenhope-Apsley has lost four of its past five games, including a 188-point loss to Laharum at the weekend.
Coach Grant Coxon said his side was in danger of losing touch with the top five if it lost again on Saturday.
“It is nearly do-or-die for us,” he said.
“When you look at the rest of the draw, it will be extremely hard for us to make finals if we don’t win this week.
“Finals are on the line and it’s something we spoke about after last week – the opportunity is still there to get a spot in the five if we show some heart and want it badly enough.”
Aiding the Saints will be the inclusions of Chris Perry – who has booted nine goals in seven matches this season – and midfielders Sam McClure and Charlie Stewart.
Jeparit-Rainbow co-coach Chris Meyer said his team was also approaching the match as a mini final.
“It's one we put down as a must win,” he said.
“They’re looking at the same picture we are, so I’m sure ‘Coxo’ will have his boys ready and they will come out firing just as hard as us.”
The Storm has won three of its past four games, and will look to use its speed to expose the Saints.
“The way we are running and carrying with good spread and hitting our key targets, we've been doing that well in recent weeks and we’ll look to continue it,” Meyer said.
Key defender Simon Clugston is under an injury cloud, but could be replaced by Heath Clugston who impressed in the reserves at the weekend.
Pimpinio v Laharum
LAHARUM will try to spoil Pimpinio’s party when the sides meet at Pimpinio Recreation Reserve.
The Tigers are celebrating the 10-year anniversary of their 2005 premiership, which was won against Laharum.
Some players who appeared in that match are still playing for their respective teams.
Current Tigers Alex Hill, Brad Sproule, Bernard Ward and Daniel Baker played in the 2005 decider, while Mountain Men Hamish Roberts, Gerard Matthews and Jason Przibilla were also on the field.
Baker will miss tomorrow’s match with a fractured neck.
Pimpinio lost by 231 points and failed to kick a goal in the last meeting between the sides last year.
Coach Mathew Everett said his team needed to bring its best game to even be competitive against the Mountain Men.
“We need to be accountable, stick to our game plan, apply pressure and make sure we're in the game for as long as we can be,” he said.
Youngsters Aaron Prior-Straud, leg, and Jordan Cramer, knee, are in doubt.
Laharum has a mostly clean bill of health after coach Shannon Argall showed no ill effects from a concussion at the weekend.
Ollie Harrison has returned to the club after a stint with University Blacks in Victorian Amateur Football Association’s under-19 premier competition.
Argall said the Tigers would be keen to impress their home crowd and the Mountain Men needed to be on their guard.