Big finals series to mark end of an era
The 2016 Ellinbank District football finals series will mark an end of an era for the league before some clubs depart for the newly created West Gippsland Football Netball Competition.
Neerim-Neerim South and Nilma-Darnum will fly the flag for the eastern end of the league in elimination finals this week, while the four other clubs will be aiming to go out on a high before leaving for the West Gippsland competition next year.
Heading that list are reigning premiers Cora Lynn and 2015 runner up Bunyip, who will resume battle in the second semi final following a week off.
The Bulldogs will take confidence from the last time they met, when they comfortably disposed of the Cobras at home earlier this season.
But the Cobras are a different outfit with the return of several key players and hitting the peak of their powers at the right end of the season.
Neerim-Neerim South will back themselves in to give it a good shake from third on the ladder.
First they will need to get through an eliminator against Nar Nar Goon at Garfield on Saturday.
The Goon have been up and down, which is reflective in their sixth-placed finish, but could be a dangerous proposition if they manage to capture some of their best form.
Nilma-Darnum will be hoping to keep their season alive when they travel to Koo wee rup on Sunday.
While the Demons will have home ground advantage, the Bombers appear to be in better form at the moment.
After a dominant start to the season, the Demons suffered a form slump in the middle part of the season. Initially a top two threat, the Demons have to settle for a fourth-placed finish.
They will hope to recapture some of their best form against a Bombers outfit full of confidence.
The Bombers pushed Bunyip for three quarters last week and will be confident of causing some damage in the finals series.
Elimination finals
Elimination final draws: Saturday at Garfield (3rd v 6th): Seniors (2pm): Neerim-Neerim South v Nar Nar Goon
Reserves (12.15pm): Nar Nar Goon v Cora Lynn
Under 18s (10.30am): Warragul Industrials v Nar Nar Goon
Under 16s (9am): Nar Nar Goon v Warragul Industrials
Sunday at Koo wee rup (4th v 5th):
Seniors (2pm): Koo wee rup v Nilma-Darnum
Reserves (12.15pm): Warragul Industrials v Koo wee rup
Under 18s (10.30am): Garfield v Ellinbank
Under 16s (9am): Neerim-Neerim South v Bunyip