While two weeks remain before the opening of North Gippsland Football League finals series, the make-up of the top five still remains a mystery as the competitions front runners look to firm their hold on a finals berth.

With four clubs in the hunt for the final two places in the five, the competition has never been so rife with spectators to be treated to a number of classic contests with the race on to see who will contest the elimination final in a 14 days time.

A number of appetising games highlight the final fortnight, with two blockbusters to feature this Saturday.

Confirming their hold on a top three finish weeks ago, GLENGARRY will play host to the TTU Bombers who will be tested in coming weeks.

Fighting gallantly to firm their hold on a top five berth, the Bombers may have drawn the toughest of matches in the closing rounds and will need to be at their best if are to break a seven year finals drought.

Bouncing back from what Bomber coach Tim Aitken described as a disappointing fortnight, the Bombers found their way against Woodside to claim a much needed victory.

"I was really pleased, it was a fantastic effort by the boys they played well for the conditions against the bigger bodies of Woodside, we really turned our form around," said Aitken.

The enormity of the final two rounds isn't lost on Aitken who knows that the coming weeks may make or break his side's chances of making finals.

"It is going to be a massive two weeks for us, to use an old cliché we really will be taking it one week at a time, one quarter at a time.

"The key for us is to ensure that we get off to the right start, we are very much a confidence side if we can get off to a solid start then it will serve us well.

"The coaching panel has tried a number of different things with the side this season, but one thing that we do know is that our starts are the key, if we get that right then we will set ourselves up to be in a position to challenge," said Aitken.

Failing to partake in finals since claiming their last senior premiership in 2004, Aitken knows that a win this week could set the impetus for his side going forward.

"The reality is we really need to win at least one of the next two, our percentage is quiet healthy but we can't put our fate in the hands of others relying on results to fall our way.

"We haven't been able to knock over a side above us on the ladder standings, we really need to claim the scalp of one of the sides around us.

"We know that it will be tight and tough we have got to set ourselves up to win, Glengarry is a quality side the key is for us not to get too ahead of ourselves," said Aitken.

Complimentary of Glengarry's on ball brigade, Aitken is confident that his developing young midfield led by the experienced Daniel Hawking will be able to match it with the Magpies smart footballers.

"Glengarry's midfield is one of the best they function well and work hard for one another.

"Our midfield Brian Graham, Sky Hammer and Josh Diaz have been improving they have certainly benefited from having Hawking in the mix, we really clicked as a side on Saturday and played the best that we had all year."

Finals will arrive early for arch rivals HEYFIELD and CHURCHILL with the sides to meet a fortnight out from what may be an impending knock out elimination final berth.

It is an interesting prospect for both sides who have endured an indifferent month.
The Kangaroos kept their slim finals chances alive following the side's 64 point victory over Gormandale. Like their opponents, the Cougars also find themselves in the finals mix but must win their final two clashes to scrape into the top five.

With plenty on the line the clubs fierce rivalry will be renewed with a mere 14 points separating the sides in their earlier encounter. Before the round eight clash Heyfield coach Adrian Cox described the match as "the biggest game of the year". Those words remain quite fitting in the context of Saturdays must win showdown.

Both coaches know that their seasons will be defined come the final siren on Saturday, and with plenty at stake the stage is set for one of the biggest clashes of the season.

Matching their opponent in the second half last Saturday WOODSIDE can ill afford to allow COWWARR the same luxury if they are to record one last victory on home soil this season.

In a turn of the tables, it was the Wildcats who sat in fourth position when the sides met early in the season with the Saints having strung together their first three wins of the year.

Since that day Cowwarr has continued to take all before them, with many tipping that they may be the outside smokey for this season's flag.

BOISDALE/BRIAGOLONG were no push overs against the highly ranked Saints in round 18 and will be confident that they could decide ROSEDALE's finals fate.

It is an intriguing contest the Blues sit in contention of making an assault on the top five, with the side again hitting their straps at the right end of the season.

In their current form it is hard to look past last year's grand finalists, but with the Bombers continuing to evolve an upset could be well on the cards.

STRATFORD will play host to GORMANDLE who will make the trek down the Princes Highway in their final game of the home and away season.

It has been some what of a disappointing season for the perennial finalists, with the Tigers finding themselves back among the pack.

With plenty of pride among the Tigers list the yellow and black army will be confident of making it two from two against the Swans, as they aim to finish of the year on a winning note.

SALE CITY has the BYE

By Lauren Carey