While Wickliffe/Lake Bolac has earned a bye in week one of the finals after finishing as the minor premiers, for the four other clubs this weekend is all about survival.

Moyston/Willuara will be keen to shake off a recent history that is less than flattering when it comes to finals when it clashes with Glenthompson/Dunkeld the qualifying final at Tatyoon Recreational Reserve tomorrow.

While the club has had a taste of September action every year since 2008, the Pumas' win-loss record speaks for itself.

Moyston/Willuara finished the home and away season in fourth position in both season '08 and '09, winning the elimination final before being bundled out in the second week.

In '10, '11 and '12 the Pumas finished third on the ladder and secured the double chance but won just one out of the seven matches over those three campaigns, including exiting the premiership race in straight sets last season.

Guinane said the team is now in a better position than last year and is ready to end its finals hoodoo.

"I reckon you can just wipe that clean because from the players we have picked up this year it is a completely different side," he said.

"I don't think the boys are going to worry about what has happened in the past and for me it is not an issue."

The Pumas and Rams both carry winning form into tomorrow's game.

After dropping its game against Tatyoon and then drawing with Hawkesdale/Macarthur, Glenthompson/Dunkeld enjoyed a confidence boosting victory over Woorndoo/Mortlake last weekend to the tune of 159 points.

Rams' onballers Aaron Trotter, Adam Keilar and Heinrich Joyce have all been in stellar form and will again be dangerous.

The Pumas have shaken off July's mini-form slump to post three big victories in recent weeks by an average winning margin of 117 points.

It is all starting to come together," Guinane said.

"We've all got through that lull that we had a few weeks ago and are starting to play good footy at the right time of the year."

Guinane said for the first time this season the Pumas will have a full list of players to choose from and will go into the match at full strength.

Aaron McKinnis will return to the fray and add some extra fire power to the forward line, while Brian Thomas is also in line for a senior return.

Assistant coach Trent Fiscalini has timed his run perfectly and is giving the team plenty of drive from the backline, with good support from stalwarts John Vanderwaal and Lynden Brewis further down the ground.

Guinane said when it comes to finals all 21 players have to contribute.

"We definitely need to make sure that we are on the ball through the middle right from the start and hit the ground running," he said.

"I want the forwards to make the most of their opportunities in front of goal and our defenders, who have been solid all year, to just continue doing what they've been doing."

Tatyoon finds itself somewhat unusual territory, heading into an elimination final against Hawkesdale/Macarthur at Great Western Recreation Reserve on Sunday.

In recent years the Hawks have had the luxury of the first week of finals off, or at the very least the double chance, however a slow start to 2013 means the team's season is on the line this weekend.

There will be plenty of teams that will be nervous about facing Tatyoon in September, with the Hawks the in form team in the competition, having won 11 of its past 13 matches.

"The boys have been playing good footy for the past six or seven weeks, but that doesn't always mean a whole lot when it comes to an elimination final," coach Jarrod Blandford said.

"We are certainly in the right frame of mind though and playing positive football which helps."Blandford said the Hawks' link up and their run and carry have been the biggest strengths during its recent run of form in the second half of the season.

On Sunday on the small ground at Great Western Tatyoon must work on winning its fair share of the ball out of the centre, with Blandford looking to Dan Dalton in the ruck and his onball brigade led by Sean McDougall and Anthony Brady to have an impact.The Hawks and Hawkesdale/Macarthur have faced off just once this season, with Tatyoon prevailing by 32 points in round five.

Blandford said much has changed with both sides since the May encounter.

"With a young side I guess it's good we've got in the back of our minds that we can beat them, but there is certainly an unknown," he said.

"They have three or four handy footballers come in since then and we have a few different blokes as well.

"We've just got to concentrate on this Sunday. We've done well to make finals from where we started at being 0-4, but now we'll just take it week by week."

The race for the reserves' premiership is wide open with Wickliffe/Lake Bolac leading the charge.

The Magpies finished on top of the ladder with 15 wins for the season and will have this weekend off before kick starting their campaign in next week's semi final.

Great Western, finished in third position and will face Penshurst in the qualifying final tomorrow.

In the under 16s it was the Ararat Eagles who were this year's benchmark and will begin their quest for grand final glory in next week's semi final.

On Sunday fifth placed Moyston/Willaura will go head to head with Hawkesdale/Macarthur in the elimination showdown.