The stage is set for a thrilling climax to the Western Region Football League division 1 season.
Altona, Spotswood and St Albans go into the final round with hopes of snaring one of the last two live spots in the finals.
Altona is in the box seat, occupying fourth spot and with the easiest fixture – taking on Albion at home.
But it will be a tricky encounter for the Vikings against an Albion side with nothing to lose. Of the three teams jostling for fourth and fifth, the Vikings are the only side that will go into their game as the favourites.
Should Altona make the most its favouritism, it would leave Spotswood and St Albans battling it out for fifth.
The Woodsmen hold fifth spot as it stands and have the slightly easier last round match-up, playing Werribee Districts at home, but they will still go into that game as underdogs.
St Albans is also at home but has to square off with three-time defending champion and confirmed minor premier Deer Park – a task no team would voluntarily enter with finals hopes on the line.
The equation is simple for the Saints – win and they’re a good chance of getting into the finals, lose and it’s curtains for season 2016.
The phone lines will undoubtedly be ringing hot between Altona, Spotswood and St Albans when 5pm nears on Saturday.
In division 2, the top four is set, but the minor premiership is still to be determined between North Footscray and Yarraville-Seddon Eagles.
You would bet your bottom dollar on the Devils clinching first place in the finals, as they currently hold top spot and have a date with confirmed wooden-spooner West Footscray to come in the last round.
Yarraville-Seddon will have to jostle it out on the road against third-placed Caroline Springs in a finals-like fixture.
In division 3, the top four is also set, but ladder leader Parkside can be overtaken for the minor premiership by new side Newport Power, which is one win in arrears but has a better percentage.
Parkside is unbackable favourite to clinch top spot with a game against lowly North Sunshine in the last round, while the Power has a difficult away trip against the Wyndham Suns.
