Five rounds that hold key

The top four – Maffra, Moe, Sale and Leongatha – are well on track to mae the final “five” and virtually assured of staying there but, technically, fifth spot held currently by Drouin is open to the other six sides.

Wonthaggi, at the foot of the ladder four wins from 5th place, is unlikely to get there over the last five home and away rounds especially with a bye to come.

Bairnsdale is two wins from the “five” and Traralgon, Morwell and Warragul three wins away.

The key will be if Drouin, with injuries it can ill afford, manages to grab at least another couple of wins after losses to Warragul and Bairnsdale in the past fortnight.

The run to the finals over the next five weeks provides plenty of options.

Traralgon’s surprise win against Sale has it back in contention with Maffra the only one of the teams in the top group to come. Games for the sides in the race for fifth are:DROUIN (28 points): Sale (home), Leongatha (away), Morwell (h), Maffra (a), Wonthaggi (h).

BAIRNSDALE (20): Moe (a), Traralgon (a), Wonthaggi (h), Warragul (a), Leongatha (h).

TRARALGON (16): Wonthaggi (a), Bairnsdale (h), Warragul (h), Morwell (a), Maffra (h).

MORWELL (16): Leongatha (a), Warragul (h), Drouin (a), Traralgon (h), Sale (a).

WARRAGUL (16): Maffra (h), Morwell (a), Traralgon (a), Bairnsdale (h), Moe (a).

Next Saturday’s games at grounds of first named clubs: Moe v. Bairnsdale. Drouin v. Sale. Warragul v. Maffra. Wonthaggi v. Traralgon. Leongatha v. Morwell