Vying for the minor premiership, Penshurst and Lismore Derrinallum both came out winners last week in conditions that would normally cause most sports to be abandoned.
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The Demons took advantage of the inaccuracy of Wickliffe Lake Bolac, kicking 2.17 and dropping them to sixth place on the ladder.
This week, the Magpies will host Great Western, who is playing for second spot should Lismore Derrinallum go down to Penshurst.
There's a lot of talk about Penshurst moving to another league, and maybe this could be the last year for the club which transferred into the Mininera league in 1970.
The other important game is Glen Dunkeld (seventh) versus Woorndoo Mortlake (fifth).
Apart from winning to secure fifth spot, a bigger interest is whether Tigers full-forward Jordon Buckley, sitting on a season tally of 94 goals, can reach the century and become the league's leading goal kicker.
Tatyoon, a finals contender for a decade or more, will roll into fourth place providing it gains the points from neighbours SMW Rovers this week.
The Hawks were big 107-point winners against Moyston Willaura last week, but Rovers will provide much stronger opposition and will prove a test.
Good contributors for the Hawks included Adrian Pilgrim, Jake Arnott and John Foster.
The Pumas will be seeking their second win for the season at home against Hawkesdale Macarthur in the final game of the year for both teams.
Great Western hosted Glen Dunkeld last week and showed its readiness for the finals with a 55-point win.
Players instrumental to a hard-fought victory were Lachlan Malloy, Andrew Cameron, Danny Grellet, Nigel Sibson, Nick Dunford and Patrick Bell.
This weekend will bring Glen Dunkeld's 2019 campaign to an end, with the kit bags to be put away for the summer.
The league's annual Lewis Medal count will be held at Willaura on Monday, September 9.
SELECTIONS
Wickliffe Lake Bolac v Great Western
Moyston Willaura v Hawkesdale Macarthur
SMW Rovers v Tatyoon
Ararat Eagles v Caramut
Penshurst v Lismore Derrinallum
Glen Dunkeld v Woorndoo Mortlake
FINALS VENUES
Elimination Final
Saturday, August 24: Willaura Recreation Reserve.
Qualifying Final
Sunday, August 25: Dunkeld Recreation Reserve.
Second-Semi Final
Saturday, August 31: Ararat Recreation Reserve.
First Semi-Final
Sunday, September 1: Caramut Recreation Reserve.
Preliminary Final
Saturday, September 7: TBC
Grand Final
Saturday, September 14: TBC
