Tightest of finishes

It’s official. The final make-up of Horsham District football’s final six will go to the wire.

And if results follow form in the next fortnight, it will be a last-round clash between Natimuk United and Swifts that determines which team secures a swinging sixth spot.

At the moment Laharum sits sixth, two points ahead of Natimuk United and four in front of seventh-placed Noradjuha-quantong.

But as Natimuk collects free points from a bye this week and Noradjuhaquantong secures points and percentage over Taylors Lake, Laharum needs to beat premiership favourite Harrow-balmoral.

In fact a Demons win over the fancied Southern Roos at Laharum will put the others out of the picture. But only the gamest of gamblers would bank on such an upset.

Laharum, with coach Robbie Miller bravely back on the ground after weeks out with a broken leg, kept itself in the finals equation last weekend by scoring a seven-point win over Edehopeapsley.

The Demons, inspired by the likes of Angus Martin, Daniel Griffiths and Tom Crawford, as well as Miller, came from behind to snatch the game at Edenhope.

Now, they have to take on an even tougher south-west opponent.

Laharum will have extra incentive to win with Ben Peucker playing his 300th club game for the Demons, in the reserves match.

But they will need every bit of that and more to match a side that clearly leads the field and is coming off a bye.

Natimuk United will watch proceedings with interest, while contemplating a heavy loss to Kalkee as Noradjuhaquantong bounces out of a bye to meet the Lakers.

Taylors Lake was again on the end of a belting, this time at the hands of Swifts, although Lachie Marks and Matt Mcculloch impressed.

All Noradjuha-quantong can do is try to keep winning and its fortunes might also come down to a final-round game, against Kalkee.

There is also a big game this weekend set to provide insight into what fans can expect come finals.

Swifts, with Andrew Cameron coming off a 14-goal game and Zach Salmi kicking eight, take on Kalkee, which had Lachie Exell holding court last week alongside Simon Hobbs and Matt Nield.

The teams meet at Stawell’s North Park, which might give the home side the edge.

Meanwhile Jeparit-rainbow, which ultimately prevailed in a dogfight with Rupanyup last week, will also sit this week out, with a bye.

Jeparit-rainbow’s leading players last week include Sam Cranna, Justin Cozens, Tyler Edelsten and Luke Murphy.

Edenhope-apsley is another team with a bye this week and had Taylor Milner, Shayne Williams and Chris Heath lead its cause last week.

Rupanyup will be already lamenting a season of lost opportunities and will be too good for Pimpinio at Pimpinio.

The Panthers were within striking distance for much of the contest against the Storm, with Daniel Schaper, Elliot Kelly and Mark Tickner making an impression. Matt Tyler also kicked four goals.

Pimpinio is coming off a bye.