Five rounds remain in the North Gippsland Football League season and the finals picture continues to intrigue.

Heyfield, Churchill, Rosedale and Sale City appear to have firmed their hold on a top five berth. Heyfield boasts a three game buffer from the pack and locked away the minor premiership title weeks ago. Churchill's round 12 victory against fellow top three aspirants Rosedale elevated the Cougars from firth to second where they appear poised to stay put at the pointy end of the table.

It is the battle for fifth that continues to rage with Cowwarr's victory over Yarram last weekend ensuring their finals flame continues to flicker. Locked in a three-way battle for the final spot, league new comers Yarram will need to hold Cowwarr and Woodside at bay if they are to make their finals debut in their inaugural season.

So the question that many are asking is who will miss out on September action?

Delivered a body blow on their top five ambitions YARRAM will play host to neighbour and long-time foe the Wildcats with the result of the contest hinging on both clubs end of seasons hopes.

Rallying after a slow start last Saturday to put themselves in the box seat in the premiership term the Demons faltered in the last quarter with coach Grif Underwood and his chargers fully aware of their inconsistent form.

"Obviously our season has been a bit up and down, but the playing group and I are confident that we can get back to some better and more consistent form," said Underwood.

"All games from now on in are important to us and where we finish come the end of the season."

It's crunch time for WOODSIDE coach Chris Pettitt and his chargers. Despite failing to occupying a top five position during the season the Wildcats have remained in contention but struggled to make the impact that they did last season.

Playing just two matches in the past month, for a return of one victory there has been little to celebrate for the wailing Wildcats who have shown just glimpses of their barnstorming form from the earlier part of the season.

As the leading quartet begins to settle and the highly sought after fifth position slips from their grasp, the Wildcats must claim the honors for a second time against the Demons if they are to go one better than last season and make finals.

The stage is set for an enthralling contest.

When GLENGARRY and COWWARR meet one thing is certain they never fail to disappoint.

Finding themselves in a similar situation to that of last year, the Saints are likely to fight it out against Yarram and Woodside in the final five weeks for a position in the five.

But between now and then they have a number of tough encounters in the closing weeks of the season against Rosedale and top of the table Heyfield, depending on how the coin falls in other matches they may very well have to wait until the final siren in round 20 for the fate of the clubs finals ambitions to be sealed.

But all focus will be on the reigning premiers who come into the contest on the back of a 100 point lesson against premiership hopefuls Rosedale. With their season done and dusted the most that last year's champs can hope for is a number of wins to improve their win loss ledger at seasons end.

With both sides having plenty to play for the contest is firming as the match of the round.

Extending their winning streak to six with another clinical performance CHURCHILL will host fellow big cats the GORMANDALE Tigers whose win loss ledger at Gaskin Park is less than complimentary.

Described by Gormandale coach Luke Henderson as the "toughest road trip" on the fixture the man at the helm of the Tigers is fully aware that his ninth place chargers will be up against it against one of the benchmark sides of the competition.

"We were embarrassed by them last time by 98 points; we have never won at Gaskin Park before so we are realistic that this is going to be a tough task against one of the two benchmark sides of the competition," said Henderson.

"You can use all the football clichés that you like, but Churchill at Churchill is going to be tough. We have identified that this will be the toughest of our next five matches, to be honest when you have only won two matches for the season you could say that no games are easy."

As the gap between the competitions top quartet and the Tigers continues to grow Henderson knows that the sides attack on season 2015 starts now and is confident that his side will reward themselves with a big win in the closing stages of the season.

"The coaching staff have set a six week plan that sets us up for 2015, the plan is to win at least two of the last six with the playing group making a massive commitment to do so.

"As a coach it was pleasing to see how the side rallied a fortnight ago to come from behind against Boisdale/Briagolong, the way that they dug deep and accepted the challenge was very encouraging from my perspective.

"The development of the younger guys on the list has progressed significantly over the season, they have stood up and are becoming senior footballers, while our more experienced guys are working hard to help the side improve and develop," said Henderson.

With the ink dried on his contract for 2015 Henderson is confident that his side has what it takes to claim a number of wins in the home straight "to give the side some substance in the league" leading into next season.

While still focused on the games to come, Henderson is fully aware that the sides win loss ledger at seasons end could determine whose signatures they can secure as they aim to recruit the services of a number of key position senior players.

"It's been a tough year, I don't think anyone will deny that but if we believe and keep working then we will continue to build and mature."

Set to debut their heritage gurnsey strip designed by several club committee members which celebrates BOISDALE/BRIAGOLONG's history in the Riviera and North Gippsland Football Leagues, the baby Bombers will need to hit their straps against HEYFIELD.

The strip is the same design as the club wore in 1939, with a red V appearing on a black jumper, a strip which brought premiership success and was the club strip for many years up until the new design was adopted.

With past players to watch on from the side line at the clubs annual Past Player function the Bombers will field a young lineup with limited senior players available due to injury and work commitments, with Marty McDonough and Adam Helmke among several key omissions still several weeks away.

The absence of senior players has allowed coach Dean Pratt to blood numerous youngsters throughout the season, who have held their own against more experienced opposition.

In contrast last year's runners up season continues to hum along, with contests against Rosedale and Churchill in the coming month set to provide league followers with an indication as to just where the ladder leaders are placed for a tilt for the title.

TTU, SALE CITY and ROSEDALE have the BYE.

By Lauren Carey