Wickliffe/Lake Bolac is in the box seat to lock down that final spot, as the Magpies have a favourable draw playing teams that are below them on the ladder.

The match of this round is the Tatyoon-Moyston/Willaura game at Tatyoon.

This is probably the precursor for this year's grand final.

The Pumas, who are in great form after playing last week without some key players, will be tested here.

They will have to dig deep to find something special against the Hawks who are also playing great football.

There should be an enormous crowd, so if you are going get there early and enjoy the hospitality.

Country football is unique our city counterparts would be envious of families travelling to the one venue, on the same day where everyone can play netball and football.

Saturday football/netball is important providing a meeting place for small communities, the benefits of people's welfare and mental health gained from social gatherings you can never put a dollar value on it.

The other big game is Hawkesdale/Macarthur playing Lismore/Derrinallum and this is a must win game for the Demons and also for the Southern Eagles.

Hawkesdale/Macarthur is losing touch having lost its last two games and if the Demons are to play finals they cannot drop this match.

Great Western plays Penshurst, SM&W Rovers will face Woorndoo/Mortlake and Wickliffe/Lake Bolac takes on the inconsistent Glenthompson/Dunkeld in what should be a win for the Pies.

The last game for the round is the Ararat Eagles against Caramut.

Good luck to all the teams this playing week. With the end of the season in sight, play within the spirit of the game and play your best.

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Springbank's Luke Fisher an ex-SM&W Rovers' player and Lewis Medal winner is having a stellar year in the Central Highlands Football League.

Luke is currently second in The Courier's CHFL Player of the Year award, while I noticed that ex-Wickliffe/Lake Bolac player Nigel Otto had a best on ground game for the Ballarat Swans last Saturday.

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Talking about Wickliffe/Lake Bolac, as I mentioned a while ago, the club is having its '84 and '89 reunions for football and netball this Saturday.

I am sure it will be a great day of memories recounted and possibly embellished stories, but most importantly a celebration of wonderful achievements for both the netball and football premiership teams.

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Leading goal kickers

Seniors

Steven Butler (Tatyoon) 9 goals kicked last week, 64 season total; Aidan Bell (Moyston Willaura) 3, 54; Kye Chapple (Tatyoon) 10, 52; Lachlan Hamilton (Moyston Willaura) 5, 47; Charles Nield (Hawkesdale Macarthur) 4, 37; Samuel O'Brien (SMW Rovers) 2, 36; Aaron McKinnis (Moyston Willaura) 0, 32; Ryan Elliot (Lismore Derrinallum) 7, 31; Benjamin Hustler (Great Western) 0, 30; Christopher McLeod (Glenthompson Dunkeld) 6, 29; Danny Chatfield (Hawkesdale Macarthur) 0, 29.

Reserves

Shaun Campbell (Wickliffe Lake Bolac) 7 goals kicked last week, 43 season total; Patrick Sinnott (Hawkesdale Macarthur) 4, 39; Joshua McDougall (Tatyoon) 3, 36; Adam Griffin (SMW Rovers) 3, 35; Benjamin Julius (Hawkesdale Macarthur) 0, 33; Bryce Eagleson (Hawkesdale Macarthur) 3, 30; Mark Johnson (Hawkesdale Macarthur) 0, 29; Luke Walker (Moyston Willaura) 0, 27; Simon Stewart (Lismore Derrinallum) 3, 26; Aaron Dudman (Lismore Derrinallum) 0, 24.

Under 16s

Ben Robertson (Ararat Eagles) 1 goals kicked last week, 47 season total; Luke Osborne (Woorndoo Mortlake) 2, 35; Harrison Cronin (Moyston Willaura) 2, 34; Riley Wood (Tatyoon) 0, 31; Zachary Jenkins (Ararat Eagles) 0, 19; Lachlan Tanner (Hawkesdale Macarthur) 1, 18; Mitchell Byron (Moyston Willaura) 0, 16; Joe Gibson (Tatyoon) 1, 16; Joseph Pyke (Lismore Derrinallum) 2, 16; Kurt Peters (Penshurst) 0, 16.

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The MDFL meeting on Monday night at the Lake Bolac clubrooms at 8pm will be discussing the upcoming finals' program.

With venues yet to be determined, the wet conditions of a lot of grounds will have the executive watching the skies and clocking up a lot of kilometres to get the best venues.

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This week's quote: "A leader is best when people barely know that he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him, worse when they despise him. Fail to honour people, they fail to honour you; but of a good leader, who talks little when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will all say - 'We did this ourselves'."