MOE and Morwell face danger games in West Gippsland Latrobe football this weekend when they host Traralgon and Garfield.
Neither side can afford a loss at this crucial part of the season.
The Lions have had two weeks' rest to nurse their injured players and have four rounds to prepare for the finals.
Traralgon won its last game against Morwell on a heavy ground and those conditions will probably prevail at Moe again this week.
Tim Aitken was the match winner for the Maroons against the Tigers and it will be interesting to see who gets the job of minding this powerful forward.
He only needs to kick straight to be very dangerous.
It has been a disappointing year for the Maroons and they would dearly love to finish the season off with a few more wins.
Traralgon has won 13 of the past 14 matches against the Lions but Moe must keep on winning to improve its position in the five.
Moe could have several of its star players back including Jason Shields, Gary Blandford, Lee Hale and Adam Kennedy. The quartet is integral to Moe's success.
If the game was based on past statistics Traralgon should win but Moe has a greater incentive for victory.
Stars can still make finals
MORWELL will meet a desperate Garfield, which has a slight sniff of making the finals as remote as it may be.
The Stars have three games left to make up the two game gap and it may be a bit too much to ask, although they will give it their best shot.
At Traralgon the Tigers found it hard to cope with the heavy conditions and this week will be a good test on the new surface at Morwell.
With no Gippsland Power games all local clubs will be rushing the youngsters back to play with their teams.
Morwell could include the talented Jack Brown but Garfield has no Power representatives this year.
Garfield does not appear to have any injury worries and can field a full side, while the Tigers are expected to be near full-strength.
In an entertaining match Morwell should win.
Ladder leaders battle
THE top two sides Warragul and Sale will clash in the match of the round.
Both sides are firmly entrenched in the top two positions of the ladder and nothing will alter that. The only question is which team will win top spot.
The Magpies look to have the top position sewn up with a one-game advantage over the Gulls.
Warragul is unbeaten on its home turf this season but there is always a first time for everything.
With Ryan Davey and Matt Gray back in the side Warragul will be a lot tougher than it was against Maffra.
Sale's David Ivey heads the goal kicking this season with 42, one ahead of Traralgon's Tim Aitken and Maffra's Jack Tatterson.
Sale looked good against Drouin and with Phil Harris back in the side the Magpies should win comfortably as they have won nine of the past 10 games against the Gulls.
Hawks to win over Parrots
LEONGATHA and Drouin have both shown improvement this season without converting that development into premiership points.
The Parrots' forward line is about where it was last season but their defence has improved 20 per cent.
Drouin appears fitter and is running out the full four quarters of football.
The powers to be at both clubs will no doubt take those factors on board when they are planning next season.
Saturday's match presents both teams with a great opportunity for some glory as both play finals sides in the remaining rounds.
While the game is at Leongatha Drouin is the more consistent team and should win.
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