There are no more second chances in the Warrnambool and District league.
Two teams will battle it out in the senior football and A grade netball preliminary finals, leaving nothing in the tank as they vie for the one vacant place in their respective grand finals.
In the football, Nirranda and Russells Creek go head-to-head, with the winner to face Merrivale in the decider.
The Blues, the reigning and minor premiers, will be fired up after a loss and rarely underwhelm two games in a row.
The Creekers on the other hand, are through to their first preliminary final in more than a decade and have a golden opportunity to make a grand final for the first time since 2005.
The ledger is square at one win each between the two teams this year.
In the A grade netball, Allansford and Kolora-Noorat face off for the opportunity to play Nirranda in the grand final.
The Cats have been the big improvers this year under new playing-coach Jess Rohan and have won both encounters between the two sides.
The Power however are riding the high of consecutive finals victories and will be full of belief that they can spring another upset.
The football and netball contests should make for compelling viewing with no teams a certainty to triumph.
Matt Hughes
Journalist
Warrnambool Standard
Four teams remain in the Warrnambool and District league senior football and A grade netball competitions ahead of a must-watch second weekend of finals.
In the senior football, minor premier Nirranda will be feeling refreshed after a week off ahead of its second semi-final clash with Merrivale.
The Tigers will view themselves a chance to topple the Blues following their commanding 84-point triumph against Russells Creek in the qualifying final.
On Sunday, Allansford will be riding a high after a drought-breaking finals win when it takes on the Creekers in the first semi-final.
The Creekers will need to bounce back quickly and could be helped by the returns of some key players.
In the A grade netball, undefeated Nirranda has a chance to advance to another grand final when it plays Allansford in the second semi-final.
The Blues have defeated the Cats both times this year, however the Cats will back themselves to spring an upset in the finals arena.
In the first semi-final, the Tigers will fancy their chances of progressing against Kolora-Noorat.
The Power shouldn’t be underestimated though and will be full of confidence after a memorable elimination final win against Timboon Demons.
Matt Hughes
Journalist
Warrnambool Standard
Finals are upon us in the Warrnambool and District league and some cracking contests await On Saturday and Sunday.
Merrivale versus Russells Creek in the first senior football qualifying final on Saturday could go either way.
The Tigers just finished higher on the ladder thanks to a slightly superior percentage, with the ledger between the two teams squared at one win apiece this season.
Allansford and Dennington go head-to-head in an elimination final on Sunday, with the match a drough-breaking appearance for both sides.
The Cats last played finals in 2015 while the Dogs did so in 2016.
The Tim Nowell-coached Cats have won both meetings between the two sides this year and finished 32-points higher on the ladder, however the Dogs will back themselves in for the must-win game.
In the A grade netball, Merrivale plays Allansford in the first qualifying final on Saturday.
Only two points separated the clubs at the conclusion of the home-and-away season.
The higher-placed Tigers will back their big-game experience to get the job done, however the Cats triumphed in the sides’ most recent clash and will relish being in finals again.
On Sunday, Kolora-Noorat battles Timboon Demons in an elimination final for the second year in a row.
The fourth-placed Power will be seeking revenge for last year’s fixture which saw the lower-ranked Demons spring a late comeback win.
The teams have a win each from their two encounters this year.
Matt Hughes
Journalist
Warrnambool Standard