The end of season ambitions of four of the leagues sides, TTU, Heyfield, Churchill and to a lesser extent Rosedale hangs in the balance in the coming weeks of North Gippsland Football.

With little then four points separating fourth from sixth, the stakes are high with TTU aiming to seal a finals berth for the first time in seven seasons while Heyfield are keen to make a return to September action.

Between now and then is a month of must win clashes for all four challengers with sixth placed CHURCHILL and TTU to highlight round 16 action.

Stepping up their game in one of their best performances against reigning premiers Sale City in recent seasons, the going doesn't get any easier when they host another final aspirant in TTU who were tested against Gormandale last Saturday.

While the Bombers fell away in the second half against the Tigers, the Cougars kept challenging the Dogs and can take comfort from the knowledge that very little separated the two sides in round five - the margin a mere one point at the final siren.

The Cougars pulling out all stops in the dying stages of the match to reverse a four goal deficit into nail biting victory at Tyers.

Churchill coach Tim Darby would hope that his side doesn't find themselves in a similar position this time round with the Bombers having shown continued improvement since that day in May.

The Bombers have continued to improve but like Churchill have struggled to match it with the competitions front runners, and will be eager to claim bragging rights against another final contender.

Both sides home run to finals is of vast contrast with the Cougars biggest test to come in round 19 against rivals Heyfield while the final two rounds will test the Bombers credentials as they meet two of the competitions top three sides Glengarry and Cowwarr in consecutive weeks.

The clash is a must win for the home side who will need to elevate their game again this week to ensure they lay a claim on a top five finish.

It's a case of dejavu for ROSEDALE who find themselves in a similar position to that of last season, the Blues set to make a late dash to sealing fifth position on the premiership ladder standings and an elimination finals berth.

This time round the Blues have plenty of competition and will again need to dispose of Heyfield in coming weeks to remain in contention.

However the Blues can't look too far ahead, with the side to host STRATFORD who comprehensively brushed aside Woodside in one of their best showings.

The Swans were damaging from the opening bounce slamming on eight majors in one of their best starts to date.

Swans coach Peter Morrison will expect nothing less of his chargers, fully aware that if his side can reproduce their dominance in the opening 20 minutes of the contest the Blues may find themselves challenged. However, if Rosedale is allowed to run rampant as they did in their earlier encounter the Swans may find themselves on the back of a comprehensive defeat.

A lot has changed since the opening five rounds of the season for WOODSIDE. Back then the Wildcats were emerging as one of the dark horses of the premiership race, sitting in the top three the side had accounted for more fancied opponents in Churchill and Heyfield and were quickly touted giant killers.

Since that day injuries and availability of key players have paid their toll with the Wildcats slipping down the premiership ladder standings to sit in eighth position.

With a second finals berth in as many seasons set to pass them by, Saturday will see the Wildcats host BOISDALE/Briagolong who return to the field on the back of their opening win of the season.

Over running Stratford in round 14 the Bombers will be confident that they can make it back to back wins but are fully aware of the prospect Woodside poses on their home turf.

Little separated the sides earlier in the year when the Bombers held a comfortable lead at the first break before the Wildcats rallied to lead by 10 points at the main change before they powered away to record a five goal victory.

While finals action is beyond the Wildcats, Woodside can certainly lay the foundations for next season in the closing rounds of 2011 as they aim to improve on their win loss ledger of 5-9. The question will be whether they can hold their younger opponents at bay?

A 10 goal to three opening half was the impetus for SALE CITY's victory against HEYFIELD in round five.

The Dogs season continues to evolve with continued improvement week in week out and the blooding of many thirds players throughout the year proving to be advantageous in the reigning premier's prospects of claiming back to back titles.

While the Dogs appear to be on another level to the next would be challengers in Glengarry and Cowwarr, the Dogs won't be taking Heyfield lightly ahead of next week's top of the table showdown.

Convincingly beaten by Cowwarr last Saturday the Kangaroos can ill afford to drop the points in consecutive weeks and depending on the result in the clash between Churchill and TTU may find themselves bumped outside the five.

Coach Adrian Cox noted ahead of last week's must win clash, that the side cannot be reliant on other results falling their way in the final month if they are to seal a finals berth. A win against the undefeated reigning premiers would certainly act as a barometer for the Kangaroos remaining matches but would take a stellar performance to halt the Dogs in their current form.

Only 22 kilometres apart, the two towns of GLENGARRY and GORMANDALE boast a footballing rivalry every bit as fierce as Carlton and Collingwood which dates back to the eighties.

In round five the rivalry was renewed with the Magpies claiming the honours for the first time in seven seasons.

It is hard not to look past Glengarry to make it two from two against the Tigers, but as history will show regardless of the ladder standings both sides come to play with the ninth placed Gormandale set to regain their roar and fighting spirit for Sunday's blockbuster.

COWWARR has the BYE

By Lauren Carey