Seven sides’ season is over for another season and one more will join them following Sunday’s elimination final between Lismore-Derrinallum and Tatyoon.
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Both sides have had their fair share of success in recent years but one team will have its season ended at Hawkesdale.
The Demons are the reigning premiers while Tatyoon won the season before.
Tatyoon has had a tough lead up to finals, with injuries striking down key players. The Hawks won just one match in their final four rounds but go into Sunday’s final off the back of a win.
“We have about four guys available to come back that didn’t play last weekend. It is the first time in a long time we have had that luxury,” Tatyoon coach Simon Brearley said.
“Everyone is up and about and ready to have a good crack.
“We have some guys with a lot for experience in finals and some that haven’t, so it is a good mix I think.”
The Hawks and Demons have met twice this season, with Tatyoon coming away victors on both occasions.
Lismore-Derrinallum lost the first encounter by 38 points but got much closer the second time around in round 11, falling one-point short.
The Demons boast a side with serious star power, including 2017 Lewis Medal winner Michael Lockyer.
“We just need to shut down some of their key players,” Brearley said.
“Mick was good against us in both matches. We need to win the footy to negate his impact and make sure we are accountable for him, wherever he plays.
“On our part we need to keep working hard on contested footy and keep moving the footy freely and efficiently when we have it.”
Despite a recent run of poor form, the Hawks have had good experience in their last month, playing two of the top three sides.
“We have had a do or die attitude for the last few weeks because we still had to fight for our spot in the top five,” Brearley said.
“That holds us in good stead for the weekend. We will have to try and execute things that have worked for us all season.”
Penshurst and Glenthompson-Dunkeld will battle it out in a qualifying final at Lake Bolac on Saturday.
The winner of that clash will face minor premiers Wickliffe-Lake Bolac next weekend in another qualifying final, with the loser to take on the winner of the Demons and Hawks.
The Magpies went through the regular season undefeated.
Moyston-Willaura will take on Wickliffe-Lake Bolac at Lake Bolac in a qualifying final on Saturday. The winner of the match will take on minor premiers SMW Rovers in two weeks time.
