With three rounds to play, ninth-placed Newlyn needs wins on the board to sneak into the eight and its chances of doing so have improved with key inclusions to its side this weekend.
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Adam and Myles Sewell return to the line-up, both welcomed additions to the Cats' midfield.
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Myles has managed four appearances this season, last seen in round 11, a game Newlyn lost to Clunes by three points.
Adam has not managed a game to date, recovering from knee surgery.
They are important additions to the side for a finals push, but a win over Waubra requires a full team effort, coach Chris Banwell told The Courier.
"We've been obviously playing without the Sewell brothers and some big name players for the whole year which has been a good way to develop the list," he said.
"Those guys will come in and we know what we'll get from them.
"It's just on to the rest of the guys to make sure that we're not leaving it up to the big names and they keep putting in the hard yards like they've been doing for three-quarters of the season."
If results fall its way and it takes care of its own business, Newlyn stand every chance of being in the top eight by the end of the weekend.
The Cats remain outside the eight on 55.56 per cent of games won, eighth placed Springbank just clear on 60 per cent.
For home side Waubra, a win keeps it in contention for the top four, however, a loss makes things interesting.
Buninyong should expect to beat Carngham-Linton and if Springbank get the job done at home over Skipton, Waubra could fall to eighth with a loss and draw even on percentage of games won with Newlyn.
With Clunes a strong chance to beat Beaufort, the Roos could also draw level with the Magpies with a loss.
They have percentage up their sleeve, 27.12 per cent clear of Newlyn and 75.62 per cent clear of Clunes.
Wins take percentage out of the equation, however, as well as widening the gap between Waubra and the sides just inside the top eight and those sitting outside.
Springbank (eighth) host Skipton (fifth) in one of the game's of the round, just a game separating the two.
A win to the home side and they would draw even on the ladder with Skipton in percentage of games won, completely shaking up the seedings outside the top four.
A win to the visitors creates a big divide between them and the remaining three sides in the eight and in addition, puts Springbank on the brink of falling outside the top eight.
Both sides should be confident as they were two of the in-form sides after the previous lockdown, going 4-0 until the most recent stoppage of play.
Top four sides Gordon, Hepburn, Rokewood-Corindhap and Dunnstown face great chances to cement their spot inside the top group.
Dunnstown take on Learmonth, Rokewood-Corindhap take on Creswick, Hepburn host Ballan and Gordon welcome Daylesford.
Beaufort v Clunes
at Beaufort, 2:35pm
Last time: Beaufort 22.16 (148) defeated Clunes 1.6 (12), round 15 2019
A quick word: With Clunes sitting 10th on the ladder and just a game outside the top eight, this is a must win game for the Magpies.
Hepburn and Rokewood-Corindhap are to come, which is no easy way to finish the season, but a win this week could kick-start a run towards finals.
Beaufort have the one win to its name and with a good break to rest up, should be looking to jump Clunes on its home deck and grab a second victory.
Prediction: Clunes
Gordon v Daylesford
at Gordon, 2:35pm
Last time: Gordon 28.15 (183) defeated Daylesford 4.3 (27), round 15 2019
A quick word: Daylesford have been one of the most competitive sides all season but have not been able to get the job done in last quarters.
That streak doesn't seem like ending against top-placed Gordon, but if it did, it would carry the up-and-coming Bulldogs into the end of the season and 2022 with confidence and form.
Gordon need to avoid coming off the break off the pace and continue to notch up wins to lock away the minor premiership.
Prediction: Gordon
Hepburn v Ballan
at Hepburn, 2:35pm
Last time: Hepburn 21.15 (141) defeated Ballan 3.6 (24), round 15 2019
A quick word: Not the ideal scenario for Ballan, which last time out, lost to Gordon by 262 points and now have to face second-placed Hepburn away from home.
Steady improvement is all coach Tristan Batten can hope for and in Hepburn's case, winning is all it needs to do.
Prediction: Hepburn
Learmonth v Dunnstown
at Learmonth, 2:35pm
Last time: Dunnstown 7.11 (53) defeated Learmonth 5.11 (41), round 15 2019
A quick word: A special game headlined by Lachie's Legacy in honour of former Dunnstown footballer Lachie Poulter.
It looms as a great clash on the field, Learmonth proving its ability to fight against some of the better sides despite its injury list and young team, while Dunnstown has been one of the most improved sides in the league.
Prediction: Dunnstown
Rokewood-Corindhap v Creswick
at Rokewood, 2:35pm
Last time: Rokewood-Corindhap 12.6 (78) defeated Creswick 3.10 (28), round 15 2019
A quick word: This clash is an important one for Rokewood-Corindhap's top four hopes, with Skipton, Waubra and Buninyong waiting on the outskirts ready to pounce.
A win to start the run home lessens the pressure on the Grasshoppers and nearly locks away the double chance.
Creswick haven't claimed a win since round four, an upset-win over Rokewood-Corindhap would be a great way to start the run home.
Prediction: Rokewood-Corindhap
Carngham-Linton v Buninyong
at Snake Valley, 2:35pm
Last time: Buninyong 32.13 (205) defeated Carngham-Linton 4.4 (28), round 15 2019
A quick word: Another one sided clash based off ladder positions but it remains an important clash for Buninyong's final seeding come the end of the season.
Wins will continue to put the top four sides under pressure and potentially help the Bombers sneak in by season's end.
Prediction: Buninyong
Springbank v Skipton
at Wallace, 2:35pm
Last time: Springbank 8.13 (61) defeated Skipton 7.3 (45), round 15 2019
A quick word: The game of the round. Fifth versus eighth with a lot riding on the outcome.
Skipton are inching closer to a top four berth and Springbank have entered the top eight and look a great chance to climb higher.
Two of the in form teams of the competition before the lockdown, it looms as a top-notch clash.
Prediction: Springbank
Newlyn v Waubra
at Waubra, 2:35pm
Last time: Newlyn 12.13 (85) defeated Waubra 11.8 (74), round 15 2019
A quick word: A close second to Springbank versus Skipton for game of the round.
A loss to Waubra and its top four hopes would be diminished, a win keeps it in the hunt.
Newlyn simply needs wins to climb into the top eight, a win to start the run home increases those chances greatly.
Prediction: Waubra
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