The Kookaburras’ disappointing 2017 continued last weekend, with the defeat to Victoria seeing the team slip to fifth just two rounds out from finals.

But a fixture against the battling Buninyong comes at a good time for the team, which will be out to record a comprehensive victory to push its way back inside the playoff bracket.

The Kookaburras will surely be aiming to clinch all four rinks to take 18 points ahead of their difficult final-round encounter with second-placed Lara.

Aside from pace-setters Ocean Grove – which sits 34 points clear at the summit – it’s a tight battle between the leading teams in the competition.

Lara is just six points clear of the Kookaburras, meaning results over the next two weekends are crucial in the make-up of finals positions.

The sixth-placed Vics appear too far adrift of the top four to challenge for finals.

A clash against the Grovers this Saturday is a daunting one for Lara, which suffered a shock loss to lowly City of Geelong last outing.

That result helped lift City of Geelong from its spot inside the relegation zone, which has now been filled by City Oval.

The City Oval team will be hoping to bounce back in Saturday’s home clash with Bareena.

City of Geelong, meanwhile, eyes another upset in the battle with Queenscliff.

The other game of round 17 pits fourth-placed Webbcona against cross-city rivals Victoria.