With two rounds left to play in the NPLW season, the fights at the top and bottom of the table are going right down to the wire. Four teams have secured all the available places in the finals series, but the Premiership race is still up in the air.
Five points separate the contenders, but with several top-four games still to be played in the final rounds, we’re set for a blockbuster finish to the regular season.
The three-way tussle to avoid the drop is still only separated by a single point, with one team now in a position where a win could secure their safety by the end of the weekend.
Preston Lions v Essendon Royals: Friday 8:30pm
A second versus third clash on Friday will have massive ramifications for the finals equation when we reach the post season.
With both Preston and Essendon sitting on 43 points, three behind the league leaders, a win will keep their hopes of a premiership alive, whilst almost certainly ruling a line through their opponents.
The other prize on the line is a home semi-final afforded to the team who finishes second for the first week of finals.
A draw will help neither side, giving Bulleen the chance to clinch the Premiership and leave the door open to be overtaken by Heidelberg, who currently sit two points behind in fourth.
Alamein v Bulleen Lions: Saturday 3:00pm
If a draw in the Preston v Essendon fixture does eventuate, then Bulleen will enter their clash against Alamein knowing that a victory will win them the Premiership with a round to spare.
Even if it doesn’t, a win will still give them all the power, ensuring a three-point advantage heading into the final week.
For Alamein, their race for finals has been run. They currently sit five points behind South Melbourne in fifth which would be their best possible finish from here.
Brunswick Juventus v Boroondara Eagles: Saturday 8:00pm
For the first time, Brunswick could enter a fixture with the knowledge that three points will absolutely secure their safety in the league.
Playing the late game on Saturday night, Brunswick will know the results from Bentleigh and Calder, both of whom they hold a one-point advantage over.
If those other results fall their way, then Brunswick will enter the clash against Boroondara with the goal of securing their status before the final round.
The Eagles meanwhile, could jump up a spot over Alamein into sixth which is as high as they could climb with only two rounds remaining.
Bentleigh Greens v Heidelberg United: Saturday 4:00pm
To keep their hopes of the premiership alive, Heidelberg must secure three points against Bentleigh and hope that Bulleen slip up against Alamein.
Even if that doesn’t eventuate, a win will propel them into third spot no matter the result between Preston and Essendon, improving their standing going into what promises to be a tightly fought finals series.
Bentleigh meanwhile still trail Brunswick by a point in their fight for survival, but a significant goal difference deficit means two points will likely be required.
Calder United v Box Hill: Saturday 3:00pm
Currently sitting a point and significant goal difference behind Brunswick in tenth, Calder only have two matches left to jump up from the bottom of the table.
If they fail to do so against Box Hill, then their final opportunity in Round 22 will come against league leaders Bulleen.
Box Hill are sitting in eighth, a couple of good results could get them as high as sixth before seasons end.
FV Emerging v South Melbourne: Saturday 3:00pm
Neither FV Emerging or South Melbourne have any finals or relegation equations to worry about in the final few rounds. This fixture helping to settle the final jostling for mid-table positions.