It creates an interesting situation where the Bulldogs are as close to a lock for finals as a team can be without actually being one, although the easiest way to confirm a positive outcome would be an upset win against the Bears.
But that might not prove easy; the Bears have found their best form of the season in rattling off four consecutive wins since their mid-season coaching change, with Troy King's troops winning their games by an average of 47 points.
They are locked in for third on the ladder, meaning a first-week finals win would earn them two opportunities to play for a spot in the grand final.
Shepparton showed exactly what it is capable of last weekend by comfortably beating finals contender Benalla, smashing the Saints from pillar to post in a 63-point win in which five players bagged multiple goals, including three each for Tom Boyd and Anthony Andronaco.
Impressing for the Bears this season have been a number of young talents, Orien Kerr the latest to make the leap from under-18s to seniors and impress, with three appearances in the best in his past four outings.
Tatura, though, has looked back to its best in its last two games, winning well against Mooroopna and Euroa with its guns such as Nick Fothergill, Mitch Elliott, Sean Martin and Matt Shannon beginning to take games over.
The Bears won in a canter when the sides clashed in round seven, winning by 47 points in a comprehensive showing where rising star Joel Brett caught fire with four goals.