In senior football, Moama is the only local side that will feature in the finals, but the Magpies face an uphill climb to secure a valuable top-two spot.
The Mowers (10-5-1) currently trail Finley (11-4-1) by four points and the two sides share an almost identical percentage with Moama at 137.10 and the Cats 137.36.
To grab a critical spot in the top two, and the precious double chance that comes with it, the Magpies will require wins in their final two fixtures and Finley to slip up in its final fortnight.
Both sides of that equation are easier said than done, with Moama facing a tricky match-up with Numurkah (9-6-1) on the final day, after a more routine meeting with Rumbalara on Saturday.
Also sure to be on the Magpies’ mind are the three teams just two points behind them, and should the Magpies falter missing finals altogether remains a mathematical possibility.
On Finley’s run home, Cobram (10-6) and Nathalia (8-7-1) are both chances to stage an upset if Moama can fulfil its end of the bargain.
In A-grade netball, a similarly congested top six leaves finals positions still in flux.
Moama (14-2) has been the best of the rest outside of undefeated Rumbalara and looks to have sewn up second spot, two games clear with two to play, although a meeting with Rumba next weekend could leave it searching for a win on the final day to confirm its spot.
Meanwhile, reigning champion Tongala (11-5) has locked up finals but could finish anywhere from third to sixth, pending remaining fixtures against the top six.
Deniliquin Rams will be looking to move past the Blues and could do so with a big scoreline on Saturday, while a final day meeting with Rumbalara does Tonny no favours as it looks for an easier round-one match-up come finals.
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