Jeparit Rainbow V Beulah
There is not much for the Lakers to gain in this match except some well needed pride. They have not won a game for a while now, never really recovering from injuries to key players. It doesn't get much harder coming up against reining premiers Beulah two weeks out from the finals.

Yet Jeparit Rainbow's form against Beulah has been good this year. The Lakers won the first time they met and only lost the second time after being over run in the second half; although losing by six goals, it was a valiant effort.

With finals football out of the equation, the Lakers have been experimenting with team positions over last couple of games. Daniel Greig has been playing in the ruck, Justin Chilver has gone forward and Ben Marra has been playing at centre half back. All of these moves have been positive for the club as they look to 2012.

Coming off a very good win against the Devils, the Blues should regain Steph Saunders and even Kim Hallam and Josh Warren are a chance to play if they managed to get through training on Thursday night.

Ben Marra will probably play on David King; this will be a better match up for him size wise compared to playing on Vallance and Robins in the last few weeks. It should be good duel as King is in fine form coming off nine goals against Hopetoun.

Beulah's Gareth Hose has been in scintillating touch recently and the Blues have a backline that gives very little away.

Jeparit Rainbow's Heath and Ash Clugston and Corey Waldron have been impressive every week this season. They are talented players with a commitment to their club and an ability to win many possessions. This match will be a good chance for the Laker youngsters in Adam Schumann, Nathan Cocks and Tom Clugston to prove themselves against a fierce opposition.

Jeparit Rainbow coach Luke Werner, who may return from injury this week, will be looking for a solid all round effort from his charges, but for the Lakers to get anywhere near the Blues, he is going to have to get more than just effort commitment.

Beulah have far too much manpower for Jeparit Rainbow and should win well with a bye before they meet Ouyen United in the second semi final at Hopetoun.

HOPETOUN V WALPEUP UNDERBOOL

Walpeup Underbool could certainly do with a win to raise their spirits after a horror month of defeat after defeat. The Roos have been decimated by injury this year, but even when they have been able to get a few of their better players back on the track, wins have not come their way.

For Hopetoun, they will be looking for a good win in their run to finals football. Last year the Devils were bundled out by the Lakers in the first semi, this year they hope to go at least one better and look to have a side capable of handling Walpeup Underbool in their current form.

Jeremy Rowe is still expected to miss for the Roos this week, Wade Champion is doubtful with a foot injury. He may come up, but injury has limited his contributions from his match-winning form of earlier in the year. Sam McDonald is another who is doubtful after suffering an injury on Saturday against the Demons and he is one who has performed for the Roos even when they have been at their lowest ebb.

Shutting down Kain Robbins at centre half forward will be the biggest task that the Roos face. They have options in Jim Wakefield or Chris Lynch, but whoever gets the job will be facing a big task as Robins is in very good touch and has performed consistently all year.

Luke Milroy and Bryce Wellington will be back in the senior squad this week after missing against Beulah. Simon Cook is in great form in the ruck and will no doubt give his on ballers first crack at the centre clearances.

The Devils' backline will have to be on their game to keep the likes of Kane Munro and Mat Brown quiet. Brown was down last week, but seems to have relished playing up the field in recent weeks.

Hopetoun's Tom Pridgeon is giving plently around the ground as is the ever reliable Chris Heath.

The Devils need a win against the Roos, and they need to win well as they face the Cats the week after and then they have the finals. Hopetoun will not underestimate Walpeup Underbool as the Roos have proven to be a formidable opponent against the Devils in recent years. The Devils have too much to lose to go down in a game that could be the closest of the round.

OUYEN V WOOMELANG LASCELLES

Still basking in the glow of a great victory against the Tigers last week, Woomelang Lascelles will come back to earth with a thud after they take on the might of ladder leaders Ouyen United at Blackburn Park on Saturday.

Nevertheless there is a lot to like about this Cats' outfit this year. They have had some great wins and narrow loses, they have persisted and shown a great desire to improve on their past couple of seasons.

United also like to think that they too have improved their lineup and certainly the recent form of the Demons has been nothing short of outstanding. Unfortunately for the rest of the competition, United is able to cover any losses of personnel with very good players who come up from the reserves. This has meant that they have been able to blood a lot of their talented youngsters, the future of the club.

Last week against Walpeup Underbool, Ouyen United was without several key players in Bradley Vallance, Brett Knowles and Marc Hahnel and yet they thumped the Roos even with Peter Caldow sent off and Ryan O'Callaghan concussed before half time.

It is hard to get a senior game with the Demons and last week youngsters Ben Mole, Alexander Morrish and Bradley Summerhayes all played well. Whether or not they remain in the side depends on how quickly the likes of Vallance and O'Callaghan can return to the team. The way the side is travelling and with the finals looming, they may be rested for another week.

Woomelang Lascelles will miss Chris Foott who will be out with a heel injury, Trent Donnan likewise will be missed as he is returning to the Pioneers and Chris McMahon has commitments with the Roosters. On a brighter note, the talented Jason Kreuger will return after missing a week.

This is a tough assignment for the Cats. They remain positive and are looking to continue their good form from last week against the Tigers. However, the Demons look far too accomplished for Woomelang Lascelles and should have a good win at home.

Demon fans will be watching and counting as Sonny Lindsey zones in 100 goals for the season. Maybe this week, maybe next week at Sea Lake, it looks inevitable the form that he is in that it will occur before the finals.

By Jim Gordon