THE makeup of the Golden Rivers Football League top four could come down to the final round of games, with the three teams battling for fourth spot on the ladder facing a tough run home.
This weekend marks the start of the final six rounds of the season, with Wandella and Ultima leading the competition with eight wins.
Murrabit is one win behind the top two, with last season’s semi-finalists, Nullawil a further victory behind.
Hay and Macorna sit fifth and sixth on the ladder, one win outside the top four, whilst Quambatook (one win) and Moulamein (zero wins) cannot make the finals.
The league’s decision to give each team an opponent from the top four in 2015, as well as a side that did not make the finals last season, to ensure a 16-round season occurs will benefit three of the top four sides.
Wandella faces Macorna on Saturday and in round 15, with the Bombers’ final match before a potential return to the finals occurring against the Saints.
The ‘Roos also face Quambatook in a 2015 grand final re-match, whilst the Blues and Maroons both play Moulamein in the final fortnight of the season.
Ultima and Murrabit – who is yet to play Wandella for a second time – will meet for a third time this year in round 16 – with the winner to potentially play in the second semi-final.
The final two weeks of the season could also create a potential three-way battle for fourth spot in the space of 22 days.
Nullawil will travel to Macorna in round 13, followed by a trek to Hay 14 days later.
The Lions’ home and away season will end with the club’s second visit to Macorna in round 16.
The Tigers will play Quambatook and Wandella between its meetings against the Maroons and Lions.
Hay faces the toughest finish to the season, with the side to play all of the teams above them on the ladder, but host Wandella, Ultima and Nullawil.
Meanwhile, the Saints and Swans’ best hopes of winning will come when the teams play in round 13 – two years to the weekend since Moulamein’s last win.
