The Clubbers and Chalambar occupy third and fourth spot respectively, with Halls Gap and Pomonal sitting outside the four on percentage.
This means every result will be of importance in constructing a final four.
In games this weekend, Youth Club will play Buangor-Tatyoon at Stawell’s Central Park, Chalambar takes on Swifts-Great Western at Alexandra Oval and Halls Gap meets Pomonal at home.
The most important game as far as their prospects go, is the encounter between Halls Gap and Pomonal.
Neither side’s batting has impressed, although Lachie Dalkin has been consistent for the Tigers and with Lynden Brewis the pair has scored the bulk of the team’s runs.
If Lachie Green can replicate his 5-8 against Buangor-Tatyoon, Pomonal might well be headed for a key win.
Given the importance of the match, the Gappers’ batsmen Joseph Martin, Charlie McIntosh and newcomer Lachlan Smart will be expected to perform together, with the bowling attack of Dillon Macalef, Tom Riley and McIntosh to secure the win.
The match between the Clubbers and Hawks is also crucial for both teams. A loss to the Clubbers might lead to them falling from four; a similar loss to the Hawks might see them lose top spot.
The two key features of this match, which will have a bearing on the result are: Can Nic Baird come up with another big score? And will the excellent harvest down south prevent the Hawks fielding their best side?
Watching the result of this match with interest will be Swifts-Great Western because it might be a chance to snatch top spot.
But first the Combine has to front up against Chalambar, a task the team would approach with confidence for their past two innings have exceeded 200 runs.
But it would not pay to take Chalambar lightly because it has capable batsmen in Reece Kettle and Sam Pilgrim, who with bowlers Vincent Teague, Matt McKinnis and Luke Walker are capable of taking it right up to the Combine.
This week: Youth Club v Buangor-Tatyoon, Halls Gap v Pomonal, Chalambar v Pomonal.
Ladder: Buangor-Tatyoon 33 points, 1.73 percent; Swifts-Great Western 30, 2.47; Youth Club 18, 1.25; Chalambar 12, 0.56; Halls Gap 12, 0.55; Pomonal 12, 0.40.
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