by Nicholas Duck
The bottom part of the West Gippsland top six continues to change shape week-by-week, with a monster clash involving Warragul Industrials likely to factor heavily into its appearance by the weekend's end.
Cora Lynn vs Warragul Industrials
In another match with serious ladder ramifications, Warragul Industrials head to Cora Lynn as they try to tame the Cobras.
The Dusties were brought undone last week against the Goon, continuing their current theme of being unable to get a win against the best.
They'll take plenty of heart out of the fact that their last match against Cora Lynn - a semi final - was a success in which they were able to grind down the Cobras in a defensive masterclass.
That match has since come under scrutiny for the club's player points controversy last year, and no doubt the Cora Lynn players will be keen to wreak some revenge.
The Dusties were able to do what few teams have done and shut down Cora Lynn superstar Nathan Gardiner, keeping him to just two goals.
Gardiner is fresh off a 12-goal haul coming into this one, and is 20 goals ahead of the next best in the league goalkicking.
Keep him quiet and they're a red hot chance, fail to and their top six aspirations may begin to slip.
Bunyip vs Nar Nar Goon
Bunyip will look to put a challenging two weeks behind them as they face Nar Nar Goon.
The Bulldogs have lost their past two matches by 199 and 151 points respectively in what has been a rather dire two-week stretch.
The club have been frank about their position, given they currently sit in last with no wins and a percentage of 28.52, and will be looking for small wins moving forward.
Unfortunately for them, their difficult run continues against 2022 finalist Nar Nar Goon.
The Goon have been up and down thus far, but looked to be back to playing some of their best footy last week against Warragul Industrials.
The race at the bottom of the top six is looking to be a tight one this year, and if the Goon want to make it, this should be one they cross off the list with few troubles.
Garfield vs Tooradin-Dalmore
Garfield welcome the reigning premiers to their home ground in what looms as a massive challenge.
The Stars have shown their best footy in patches thus far, being strong enough to give most sides a shake but being guilty of falling away at times.
They've been a much better side than they were at this time last season, but growing pains have remained evident.
If they want to even come close to the Seagulls, however, those lean patches will have to be kept to a minimum.
The reigning premiers are sitting pretty in second, having lost just once this season.
The strength of their football program is the envy of many clubs, as evidenced by 2022 premiership player James Trezise finding his way to Richmond's list in Wednesday's mid-season draft.
A big Tooradin-Dalmore win seems on the cards here, with much depending on how well the Stars fight.
Other games
Dalyston put their finals aspirations to the test against Phillip Island.
The Magpies have been the big improvers of season 2023 but look to be a few steps below the level of the very best.
They don't come much better than Phillip Island, so a win here would be a big message to the rest of the competition.
Kilcunda Bass will look to keep in touch with the top six as they play Korumburra Bena.
A lean start has given way to some reasonable recent form for the Panthers, now just two points behind sixth.
They should get the job done against the struggling Giants, who are in the midst of another challenging year.
Finally, Koo wee rup host Inverloch-Kongwak.
The Demons are on a six-game losing streak, and they'll find it very difficult to break against the competition's only undefeated team.
The Sea Eagles will be on the hunt for a percentage booster.