KEY CONTEST FOR FINALS MAKE-UP

QUEENSCLIFF will host this season’s first mini-final when it takes on Victoria in the first round back after the Christmas break.

With only one point separating the two teams in fourth and fifth, the winner will get the break with a game clear in the four.

Coming off a strong performance in Round 11 against Eastern Park, coach Larry Donohue knows the importance of the battle.

“For the winner the double chance remains alive,” he said.

The Coutas’ team remains unchanged but will be without star Luke Wayth for the second match in a row.

For the Vics, they will be looking to replicate their first round matchup when they got all the match points and the win by 17 shots.

“It’s all about the pressure we can apply. The first time around we were able to control most of the momentum which paid dividends,” president Paul Tudorovic said.

Wayne Lynch will be unavailable for the Vics but Brian Boyle and Andrew Panther return to the fold.

Victoria will have to adjust to the carpet at Queenscliff to have any chance of upsetting the reigning premier. But if they can, it might just make a statement on how far they can go in this year’s competition.

Bareena will be strong enough to hold their spot at the top of the table against City of Geelong at home, while Lara will be aiming to keep its top four chances alive when it takes on Sebastopol in Ballarat.

Kira Bourke will use this week’s under-18 state series against South Australia as good practice as she aims to continue her run of good form when the Ocean Grove side head to BMS.

Trying to move out of the relegation zone, Eastern Park has added to its stocks with a couple of recruits from Highton as it takes on Webbcona.