Four will become three once this weekend is done with.
Either Traralgon Tyers United or Woodside will have one hand on the premiership cup with progression to the Grand Final, and Heyfield and Churchill are playing to keep their seasons alive and remain in the hunt.
Which three will it be?
That will be answered on Sunday afternoon.
First up, TTU host Woodside at Stephenson Park tomorrow.
Multiple accolades are still up for grabs for the Bombers, of course the chance to put themselves in a Grand Final, but also to stay undefeated.
We’ve seen many times in the past how a week off before a final can affect teams as they shape themselves as winners.
But it is hard to grasp how TTU would be feeling.
TTU had two byes throughout the year, as did everyone else, but didn’t have to come up against quality opposition the week after.
The Bombers had the bye in Round 9, which was followed by the league-wide bye for the King’s Birthday weekend, equating to two weeks off.
Yet, the following week they returned as fresh as ever to dismantle Gormandale by 191 points.
Following their Round 14 bye, they travelled to Rosedale and won by 84 points, pretty convincing right?
Perhaps the byes did TTU some good, and therefore Woodside should be worried about what they are coming up against.
The Wildcats have provided the best contest for the Bombers this season, getting the closest to knocking them off all year.
Just 11 points separated them in Round 2, while TTU won by 23 points the second time around in Round 13.
For a good part of the season Woodside did appear to be the strongest team in the competition, boasting the highest percentage in the league, while only being a game behind the league leaders.
But as we all know, there is a big difference in finishing first compared to second.
Having played the Bombers twice, Woodside should have a good idea on how they operate.
And despite the losses, the size of those losses should still fuel the Wildcats with confidence, knowing they can get close and potentially cause an upset.
Woodside eased into the second semi final last week, defeating Heyfield by 50 points at Gaskin Park.
They will have to leave TTU in the dust in the opening stages of the game to then find another gear later on in the game which have done on so many occasions.
TTU have it all to lose, but you can’t go past a team that hasn’t lost a game all season, it would simply be criminal to cross them out this early.
Let’s not forget, we have seen teams in a similar position before and fumble the bag at the last hurdle.
Churchill will be riding a high.
The Cougars scraped their way in the first semi final against Heyfield in a gutsy three-point win over Yallourn Yallourn North last weekend.
A win like that can fuel a side with so much confidence.
We are set for an intriguing battle here in Glengarry on Sunday afternoon, as both sides have managed to find wins over one another this season.
The Cougars knocked over Heyfield in Round 3 to the tune of 71 points in a complete performance.
But in their second meeting, Heyfield then returned the favour at Gaskin Park, knocking off Churchill by 40 points.
Two very contrasting results leaves so many questions unanswered, and don’t expect those questions to be answered until Sunday afternoon.
Heyfield made an almighty charge to finals since the halfway point of the season, and appeared to be one of the most in form teams in the competition.
They leapt from sixth to third to secure double chance, but their loss last week might have dampened emotions.
While on the other hand, Churchill had a shocking run into finals, dropping from third to fifth and leaving themselves hanging by a thread.
But that win in the elimination final last week may have inspired the camp, giving them the kick that they needed.
Churchill will return to just about full strength too, which is a massive sliding door moment, as their side will be similar to the one that beat Heyfield the first time around.
Their leading goal kicker Chris Wangman returns from suspension, while ruckman Dillon Leys was handed a four-week suspended sentence, meaning he is free to play.
The Cougars should be weary of the Kangaroos’ youth, which has the ability to run them off of the park if they aren’t careful, and they have seen it happen before.
While Heyfield should be aware of the Cougars’ experience, with multiple premiership players in the squad, these blokes know what to do at the pointy end of the season.
It’s do or die at this point, and only one will edge closer, the other will be sent packing.
Churchill would be keen to knock someone off in the way they were knocked out last year – in straight sets.
All will be answered this weekend.
