In the Kyabram District League netball competition, four teams will battle it out in cut-throat elimination finals across Saturday and Sunday to earn the right to keep their respective seasons alive.
Tallygaroopna will face Merrigum at Longwood Recreation Reserve on Saturday, with the former finishing third on the table at the end of the home and away rounds.
Last time these outfits met was in round 13, with the Redlegs taking out a 26-goal win.
The Bulldogs had a rest last weekend with a bye, but before that completed a crucial two-goal triumph against Murchison-Toolamba to tune up nicely for knockout action.
The Redlegs had the better of Lancaster last round, bouncing back well from a defeat at the hands of Nagambie the previous weekend.
On Sunday the Lakers will tackle the Grasshoppers at Violet Town Recreation Reserve after the sides finished in fourth and fifth spot on the table respectively.
Nagambie went down to Dookie United last week — for the second time this season — and co-coach Sarah Sanderson was again frustrated with aspects of her charges' game.
"(Dookie) started much better and had better pressure," Sanderson told the Seymour Telegraph.
"We need to start better, we can’t afford to give these teams a head start and then need to catch up.
"We need to play a full hour of netball.
"That will be a big theme for the next few weeks."
The Grasshoppers defeated Shepparton East last time out and made the Lakers work hard for a 45-31 victory in round six.
"Murchison are a good side, we’ll need to be at our best," Sanderson said.
"From memory, that first game was one of our first tough physical encounters.
"They have a contested style of play.
"They’re not to be taken lightly.
"But we’ve have some tough physical games recently. It puts us in good stead for this weekend."
Fellow co-coach Bianca Willis in the goal circle and midcourter Sarah O'Sullivan were in top form for the Lakers last round and will be crucial again on Sunday to their side's hopes of progressing further into the finals series.
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