Poowong could end Lang Lang's finals aspirations on Saturday. Neerim-Neerim South's Eddie McGillivray knocks the ball from Poowong player Mathew Burr in last week's reserves games.
by Davyd Reid
For Lang Lang the equation as it travels to Poowong for round 19 of Ellinbank District football on Saturday is simple.
Take the points in an upset over one of the form teams of the competition in the Magpies to keep their fading finals hopes alive.
Or suffer a loss and likely put paid to any hopes, given Ellinbank would be likely to account for a struggling Nilma-Darnum at home.
The sixth-placed Tigers are currently four points and 13 percentage points behind the fifth-placed Eagles, so the game is a must win to take it into the final home and away round.
The final round will see Lang Lang host Trafalgar and Ellinbank head up the hill to take on ladder leaders Neerim South, but the outcomes of those games will have little bearing should the Tigers lose and Eagles win this week.
Poowong will look to continue its strong run of form that has seen it all but confirm a place in the finals. An 11th win on Saturday should do that ahead of a clash with Nyora in the final round.
While going down to league leaders the Cats last week, the Magpies would be widely tipped to bounce back.
Trafalgar will be the latest side to be put to the test when they host Neerim-Neerim South, a side that has taken all before it.
The Bloods bounced back from an indifferent result against Buln Buln a fortnight ago with a strong win over Nilma-Darnum last week.
The clash against the Cats is set to provide a measuring stick of where they are at in the lead in to finals.
Buln Buln travel to Catani before taking a rest ahead of the finals by virtue of a final round bye.
Currently four points ahead of the third-placed Trafalgar, a victory to the Lyrebirds and loss to the Bloods will mean the visitor can pull out the home shorts ahead of the qualifying final.
For Catani, it's best chance of a final win will come in a round 20 clash with Yarragon.
The Panthers will look to finish their season on a high and build momentum with two wins.
Their biggest challenge comes at Longwarry this week.
The Crows have fared better at home this season, and took it up to Buln Buln last week with exception of a second quarter lapse. This would tip the match in favour of the home side.
Nyora have the bye.
