North Gippsland football finalist Cowwarr and TTU will meet on the eve of finals in the concluding round of the home and away fixture.

While Cowwarr's hold on third position and the prized double chance is cemented, the same can't be said for the fourth placed Bombers whose hold on a finals berth may quickly slip from their grasp if they are to drop the points against the red hot Saints.

Sitting equal on points with Rosedale and Churchill who sit outside the five in sixth position, the odds appear stacked against the Bombers with last year's grand finalists the Blues hitting their straps in past weeks to win three on the run.

Cougar coach Tim Darby certainly didn't want to see his side's finals changes hinge on the results of other clashes, but that's exactly what the Churchill coach will encounter come the final siren on Saturday.

Churchill's finals ambitions are reliant on a number of factors, including the result between Cowwarr and TTU. A loss to the Bombers will see Churchill move back into the five stealing an elimination final berth at the expense of one of the competitions biggest improvers in 2011.

With plenty at stake the top five make-up will remain unknown until the final sirens across the five grounds on Saturday afternoon.

For TTU the next 120 minutes of football they play will seal their seasons fate.

It's a tough ask for the Bombers who will meet for the second time in as many weeks a side perched above them on the premiership ladder standings.

COWWARR has shown their hand this season and gauging by their performances in past months the Saints have declared the premiership a three-horse race, with the side perhaps best positioned to challenge favourites Sale City.

The Saints have won seven on the trot as they march towards September action, their only slip up against Sale City in round 11.

Set to treat Saturday as a mini final, Saints coach Cory Bannister noted it was ideal preparation for his side leading into finals.

"It is going to be a big test for us it certainly deal preparation ahead of the clash against Glengarry.

"TTU will be reeling as this is their final opportunity to make finals, they need the win and will be up and about so it will definitely test the side," said Banister.

Reflecting on the Saints season, Bannister said that the side had played even better then hoped after starting slowly.

"Early on we had little continuity, we didn't have the time to bed players into the line-up and it caused us problems early.

"The turning point came in round three when we played Glengarry, we gained immense confidence and a belief in ourselves.

"We certainly have played better than hoped, the aim was to make finals but now we find ourselves in the position of being considered a real challenger," said Bannister.

While Saturdays result won't alter where the Saints finish with their hold on third position having been locked in weeks earlier, Banister and his chargers want nothing more than to extend their winning streak.

"The result this week won't alter were we finish, in many ways the past few weeks could be considered dead rubbers as we couldn't improve on third position.

"Momentum means a lot in footy so we will be going into the match against TTU with the right attitude and the belief that we can continue our winning way.

"We will probably go into the match a bit cautious and rest a few; however we have the depth to cover those outs.

"It's an opportunity for us to give a few guys a look ahead of finals, we have a squad of around 25 to draw from so it will give us quite a few options at the selection table ahead of Glengarry."

While Cowwarr's premiership campaign continues to gain momentum, TTU have somewhat fallen away late in the run to finals.

With many new recruits to work with, coach Tim Aitken had the Bombers playing often exciting football during the season but a run of injuries and a tough month on the draw has seen the side drop away from their mid season mark.

It's a tough ask, but with plenty to play for expect the Bombers to take it right to the final siren.

For consecutive seasons the dominate club of the past decade HEYFIELD will narrowly miss out on finals.

With finals slipping out of their reach, the Kangaroos have the opportunity to cause one of the upsets of the season when they host the Magpies.

With a strong game structure and team dynamic there are very few chinks in the armour of GLENGARRY, as the side positions themselves for a tilt at premiership glory.

It's a tough ask for the Kangaroos who were convincingly beaten in their earlier encounter going down by 28 points. Heyfield will need to counteract the Magpies many avenues to goal. Break down their defence which is one of the best in the competition while also halting the flow of the sides damaging running midfield brigade, a tough task for any side.

Keeping their finals dream alive with a barnstorming 10 goal victory against long time foes Heyfield, CHURCHILL will be hopeful that victory on Saturday will ensure they book a place in the first week of finals.

Standing between the four points is STRATFORD, the Swans set to play their final game in the North Gippsland Football League with the club having gained approval to join the East Gippsland League in 2012.

While the competition will say farewell to the Swans, all focus will be on Churchill and whether they can record their fourth straight victory to remain in contention for fifth position.

Moving back into the five last Saturday, many believe ROSEDALE have again strategically primed their attack on September action.

Finishing in the bottom half of the five last season, the Blues took all before them as they advanced through the opening three weeks of finals to play off for the 2010 title.

With very few changes to the line up and an injection of pace from the clubs underage players the Blues could well be this seasons smokeys.

Before they can focus on finals the side will meet WOODSIDE who provided spirited opposition against Cowwarr before falling away.

Doubling the Wildcats score earlier in the season, the Blues will be confident of taking the points.

Minor premiers SALE CITY will host BOISDALE/BRIAGOLONG ahead of watching from the sidelines during the first week of finals.

Returning to the field from the weeks break, the Dogs go into the clash with plenty of momentum and confidence but can't afford to be complacent against the baby Bombers.

WEEK ONE FINALS:

QUALIFYING FINAL - Second v Third, Saturday 27th August at Rosedale
ELIMINATION FINAL - Fourth v Fifth, Sunday 28th August at Stratford

GORMANDLE has the BYE

By Lauren Carey