A shock win kept the finals race open in the penultimate round of Gippsland League action, as we now gear up for an intriguing final round of footy.
Here's what you might have missed this week.
Maffra vs Drouin
Drouin were left to wonder what could have been in an injury-ravaged defeat at Maffra.
The Hawks were thereabouts for most of the day and able to keep the Eagles honest in a battle of two teams on the rebuild.
As the game wore on, however, the injuries began to pile up for the visitors, leaving them down to one on the bench for the entire second half.
And although they were able to keep up the fight, it left the young Hawks unable to bridge the gap, the final score a tough 10.7 (67) to 14.9 (93) defeat.
Around the ground Drouin were able to match their opposition in most facets even as they trailed on the scoreboard for all but a few minutes early and a brief patch in the second quarter.
The Hawks refused to die wondering, drawing within a few kicks late, but found themselves on the outer as a few late turnovers on aggressive kicks allowed the home side to seal the win.
Tom Unferdorben (sickness) and Ben Brasier (rib) both had their days ended before half time while Jack Fraser laboured through an injury from last week.
Kye Quirk was again spectacular for the Hawks, racking up the touches through the middle and pushing forward for two goals.
Even in a difficult year for the club it's been a hell of a year for Quirk, who looks likely to claim another best and fairest.
Skipper Jarrod Marshall enjoyed his best game of an injury-riddled season, moving himself to half back and giving Drouin some structure and skill coming out of defence.
A troublesome hamstring has kept Marshall out for a lot of the year but Saturday was a reminder how much the Hawks have missed his leadership.
Ruck Denver Lund's work rate around the ground held him in good stead in the absence of Riley Wierzbicki to support him as Seb Amoroso threatened up forward and through the middle.
Thirds player Rylie Baker (three goals) brought his outstanding forward half form into the seniors and Caleb Kleeven did some nice things off half back.
Maffra's top performer was Jett Killoran, who combined well with Alex Carr to combat Kye Quirk's efforts in the middle.
The pair kept the ball going their way, allowing the likes of Andrew McKenzie and Dylan Alexander to capitalise and kick three goals each.
Thirds player Sam Anderson had plenty of influence primarily in defence and skipper Danny Butcher played well.
The teams went goal for goal early, McKenzie marking on the lead for Maffra's first and Kye Quirk throwing it on the boot in traffic for Drouin's.
Consecutive majors to Alexander had the Eagles getting on a run and threatening to pull away until goals to Rylie Baker out the back and Quirk again bouncing it through from a stoppage kept Drouin in the contest.
Drouin kept up an attacking style early in the second, giving them the lead when Charlie Stone drove a long set shot home and increasing it after Ewan Croucher wheeled around in the pocket.
After that the Hawks seemed to go back into their shells, however, and the Eagles capitalised by booting the final three goals of the term.
Down a few troops heading into the second half, the game turned into Drouin repeatedly creeping closer and asking the question. Maffra, as it turned out, had done their homework and had the answers.
Down 10 points at the beginning of the last there was still hope aplenty for the Hawks.
Eagle Ryan Phelan went about denting that hope, rising high for a mark and goal 11 minutes into the quarter.
Phelan wasn't done either, bobbing up for another goal later in the quarter.
Down by 21 points and with the clock running out Drouin went into attack mode, biting off kicks into the corridor you never usually see them try.
It worked when Amoroso received a handball from Kye Quirk and kicked truly on the run to reduce the margin to 15. Not so much after, Elijah Berry and Alexander punishing some wayward kicking in full.
Drouin coach Leigh Horsburgh described the loss as a disappointing one, saying his side were cruelled by things outside of their control.
"We went there wanting to win. The effort was good, the pressure was good. The things that were outside of our control like injuries came back to hurt us," he said,
"The difference in the end was the fact that they had a full bench and we didn't."
Drouin will finish their season this Saturday by unveiling their new playing surface as they host Warragul at their only game at Drouin Recreation Reserve.
Horsburgh said the new surface was looking amazing, and encouraged everyone to come down and check it out.
"It starts a new chapter for the club. We have a lot of young blokes, it's a very new team and now there's no excuses from here on in. This year's been difficult but with the new ground it's a new era."
Wonthaggi vs Leongatha
Wonthaggi's season is still alive following a stunning upset win over ladder leaders Leongatha in the South Gippsland showdown.
The Power came into the day looking for a miracle and ultimately finding one as they held on in grim conditions at their home oval 7.9 (51) to 4.11 (35).
While it doesn't put them back inside the top five as things stand, they can steal the unlikeliest of finals spots this weekend if they can knock off Moe and if one of Warragul or Morwell lose.
Not many pundits would have given Jarryd Blair's men a chance to be still going this late so credit to them here.
The Power set up their day courtesy of kicking four of the first five goals of the day - a decisive start given the weather meant every goal came at a premium.
As expected the Parrots refused to go down without a fight, dragging themselves back into the contest despite some poor accuracy in front of goal - a 2.8 second term came back to bite.
Having faltered in last week's test against Traralgon, this time Wonthaggi weren't going to be such an easy mark as they kept the green and gold to just one goal past half time.
Making the win all the more impressive was the fact that Leongatha had come into the day bolstered by the return of several stars, including Cade Maskell, Sean Westaway and Jenson Garnham.
Time will tell whether the Power can beat the odds when they head to Ted Summerton Reserve this Saturday, but if their performance here was anything to go by, they'll be facing their fate head on.
Jai Williams, Jarvis Harvey, Ryan Sparkes, Brodie Mabilia, Isaac Chugg and Kaj Patterson were the players leading them to a famous victory.
Playing well for the Parrots in defeat were Justin Pellicano, Aaron Heppell, Kim Drew, Cade Maskell, Will Littlejohn and Ned Hanily.
Traralgon vs Bairnsdale
Traralgon continued their tune-up for finals as they marched home to a 40-point win against Bairnsdale.
With windy and wet weather playing havoc all across the region the Traralgon Showgrounds were no different, neither team looking like world beaters in front of the big sticks.
When it came down to it, however, the reigning premiers possessed plenty more power, prevailing 10.14 (74) to 4.10 (34).
Dylan Loprese made the best of it out of all the forwards as he managed four majors, putting in an impressive body of work up one end as skipper Tye Hourigan did the same at the other.
It's a familiar tale for those playing the Maroons. You worry so much about one of them hurting you up one end, then the other springs up to put you in a world of pain.
The Redlegs fought the good fight as they have all season, but it's games like these that you remind you of the Logan Austin-shaped hole they have after the former coach's departure.
It was pretty common for punters to wonder how good the Redlegs could have been if they had two of Austin - one to play up forward, the other down back. Traralgon don't have to wonder.
Tristen Waack, Joel Scholtes, Connor Ambler and Matthew Northe were the other Maroons players to impress.
Will Mitchell, Ethan East, Cooper Harvey, Oscar Clarke, Tyran Rees and Tom Blenheim all put in solid stints for Bairnsdale.
Morwell vs Sale
A five-goal show from Tiger Anthony Rosato provided plenty of highlights as Morwell enjoyed the opportunity to flex their muscles against Sale.
Boyd Bailey's men proved far too good all day for the struggling Magpies, building an early lead and putting on the jets late to send the final margin beyond triple digits, the score 22.12 (144) to 6.7 (43).
Bailey got in on the goalkicking action, booting four for the home side in a cruisy victory all around.
Sale, still missing superstars Shannen Lange and Will Leslie, found the going much tougher than last week's close loss to Moe in which they almost pulled off the upset of the season.
This time it was a different story, the Magpies conceding six goals to two in the first term and never looking like mounting a comeback thereafter.
Morwell were in no mood to mess around late, slamming home an unanswered 7.1 to really put an exclamation mark on the game.
The Tigers, now with finals firmly on the agenda, turn their attention to a trip to Bairnsdale this week where the equation is simple: win and they're in. Lose and Wonthaggi could capitalise.
Based on recent form, where they've now won five of their last six, it's hard to see them dropping it.
Outside of Rosato it was Burkeley Macfarlane, Brandon Mcauliffe, Aidan Quigley, Stephen Mills and Tom Caile all dominating for Morwell.
Sale were best served by Jack McLaren, Derek Eggmolesse-Smith, Jarrod Freeman, Thomas Campbell, Jack Leslie and Thomas Glenn.
Warragul vs Moe
Warragul has gone down swinging in a competitive 16-point loss to Moe on Saturday.
Wet and wild conditions played a major role throughout the day as the Gulls lost no admirers in defeat to the second-placed Lions, who have premiership aspirations on their mind.
The 6.14 (50) to 10.6 (66) defeat has left the Gulls' spot inside the top five vulnerable with one round to play, meaning they'll have to beat Drouin in this week's Western Derby if they want to guarantee a first finals appearance since 2016.
Both sides were hit by injury with Vinnie Caia (hamstring) a casualty for the Gulls and Lions Nathan Scagliarini (jaw), Matthew Heywood (hand) and Jaryn Makepeace coming out worse for wear.
Class up forward ultimately proved to be the difference for the day.
As the ground soaked through, taking opportunities as they presented became all the more vital and Moe, boasting the likes of Leigh Poholke (four goals) and Ben Crocker up forward, had enough to stretch the Warragul defence thin.
Their presence was especially noticed in a strong third quarter from the visitors, where they kicked 3.1 to 0.5 to put some distance on the scoreboard that Warragul couldn't chase down.
The Gulls, meanwhile, sorely missed the impact of their own key forwards Jordan Stewart and Brayden Fowler. Instead of being able to go direct with some confidence they'd get something out of it, their inside 50s often went wide, forcing them into some tough shots they just couldn't convert.
Making it even tougher for them was the absence of star midfielders Tom Hobbs and Riley Senini, the former of which was serving a one-game suspension following an incident last week against Maffra where he struck an opponent in the head.
Taking the best midfielder and the best forward out of any team is always going to make beating a premiership contender a big ask, but the Gulls gave it a fair old crack.
Standing up in their absence was ruck Sam Whibley, who has put together an impressive body of work this year and did so again to win 22 disposals, 10 clearances and 65 hit outs matched up on the much taller Prowse brothers.
Teenager Xavier Olsson's ability to be clean below his knees in the slippery conditions held him in good stead as Isaac Wallace and Luke Garner did their level best to cover for the lack of Hobbs and Senini.
Sean Masterson took responsibility for Moe's superstar goalkicker Ben Crocker and won their match-up, restricting the former Collingwood and Adelaide forward to just one major for the day. Fellow defender Lucas Carter rounded out Warragul's best.
Moe were best served by co-captain Brock Smith, who put in a first-class effort in some trying conditions.
Midfield recruit Alex Dijkstra was outstanding as big man Nick Prowse, the speedy Harry Pepper and contested bull Trent Baldi all shone while the Lions' other co-captain Scott van Dyk marshalled down back.
While Crocker was well held by Masterson it meant Moe coach Leigh Poholke was able to enjoy more freedom and get off the chain at times without worrying about an intercept from Warragul's main defender.
While the ground was certainly wet early there was no rain to speak of as Warragul looked the better of the two in the first term, their run and transition opening up the Moe defence on several occasions.
Their first goal came through exactly that, the Gulls pouncing on a turnover to quickly get it to coach Jed Lamb out the back, who duly converted his shot.
Young forward Tom Stern provided an early highlight, rising high above his opponent in a towering back and calmly slotting the goal.
Moe were able to keep the scoreboard respectable thanks to their own coach, who outmuscled Warragul defender Patrick Mulqueen to take a strong grab close to home on two occasions, the second coming right on the bell of quarter time.
Crocker booted Moe's third when he picked up the ball and made a quick turn in the wet, wrongfooting everyone before snapping a classy finish.
Vinnie Caia limped off the field looking worse for wear and gripping his hamstring as Nathan Scagliarini exited not long after, a stray hand to the jaw sending him crashing down. Caia later returned to the field only to call it a day minutes later, while Scagliarini wasn't seen again.
Halfway through the second quarter the skies, which to that stage had been fairly clear, gave way to relentless rain that came and went for the rest of the game.
Things remained even until the start of the second half, where it was clear the Lions had made their adjustments and were making their move.
After Liam Serong hit the post and missed a chance to extend Warragul's advantage, Justin Morrow took full toll, wheeling around for his second of the day and handing the Lions the lead.
Further goals to Pepper and Poholke – who converted a skilful set shot from the boundary line – pushed the deficit out to 15.
Warragul regained some control late in the term but could only register four straight behinds, their wastefulness now coming back to bite them.
Consecutive scrambling goals to Luke Garner and Rory Nettle put Warragul back within striking distance midway through the last but it wasn't to be, Poholke and Baldi putting the result beyond reach.
Speaking post-game, Masterson said it was a solid performance from the Gulls given their missing talent.
"Overall we had a bit of a makeshift midfield with Hobbsy and Riley out so for blokes like Koby Grass to show he can go through there and play a role was good," he said.
Masterson said all attention now turns to this Saturday's Western Derby at Drouin.
"Our destiny's in our hands. If we play well we win, if we don't play well we won't. If we lose to Drouin next week we don't deserve to play finals, everything is about how it should be I think."
Maffra vs Drouin
Drouin were left to wonder what could have been in an injury-ravaged defeat at Maffra.
The Hawks were thereabouts for most of the day and able to keep the Eagles honest in a battle of two teams on the rebuild.
As the game wore on, however, the injuries began to pile up for the visitors, leaving them down to one on the bench for the entire second half.
And although they were able to keep up the fight, it left the young Hawks unable to bridge the gap, the final score a tough 10.7 (67) to 14.9 (93) defeat.
Around the ground Drouin were able to match their opposition in most facets even as they trailed on the scoreboard for all but a few minutes early and a brief patch in the second quarter.
The Hawks refused to die wondering, drawing within a few kicks late, but found themselves on the outer as a few late turnovers on aggressive kicks allowed the home side to seal the win.
Tom Unferdorben (sickness) and Ben Brasier (rib) both had their days ended before half time while Jack Fraser laboured through an injury from last week.
Kye Quirk was again spectacular for the Hawks, racking up the touches through the middle and pushing forward for two goals.
Even in a difficult year for the club it's been a hell of a year for Quirk, who looks likely to claim another best and fairest.
Skipper Jarrod Marshall enjoyed his best game of an injury-riddled season, moving himself to half back and giving Drouin some structure and skill coming out of defence.
A troublesome hamstring has kept Marshall out for a lot of the year but Saturday was a reminder how much the Hawks have missed his leadership.
Ruck Denver Lund's work rate around the ground held him in good stead in the absence of Riley Wierzbicki to support him as Seb Amoroso threatened up forward and through the middle.
Thirds player Rylie Baker (three goals) brought his outstanding forward half form into the seniors and Caleb Kleeven did some nice things off half back.
Maffra's top performer was Jett Killoran, who combined well with Alex Carr to combat Kye Quirk's efforts in the middle.
The pair kept the ball going their way, allowing the likes of Andrew McKenzie and Dylan Alexander to capitalise and kick three goals each.
Thirds player Sam Anderson had plenty of influence primarily in defence and skipper Danny Butcher played well.
The teams went goal for goal early, McKenzie marking on the lead for Maffra's first and Kye Quirk throwing it on the boot in traffic for Drouin's.
Consecutive majors to Alexander had the Eagles getting on a run and threatening to pull away until goals to Rylie Baker out the back and Quirk again bouncing it through from a stoppage kept Drouin in the contest.
Drouin kept up an attacking style early in the second, giving them the lead when Charlie Stone drove a long set shot home and increasing it after Ewan Croucher wheeled around in the pocket.
After that the Hawks seemed to go back into their shells, however, and the Eagles capitalised by booting the final three goals of the term.
Down a few troops heading into the second half, the game turned into Drouin repeatedly creeping closer and asking the question. Maffra, as it turned out, had done their homework and had the answers.
Down 10 points at the beginning of the last there was still hope aplenty for the Hawks.
Eagle Ryan Phelan went about denting that hope, rising high for a mark and goal 11 minutes into the quarter.
Phelan wasn't done either, bobbing up for another goal later in the quarter.
Down by 21 points and with the clock running out Drouin went into attack mode, biting off kicks into the corridor you never usually see them try.
It worked when Amoroso received a handball from Kye Quirk and kicked truly on the run to reduce the margin to 15. Not so much after, Elijah Berry and Alexander punishing some wayward kicking in full.
Drouin coach Leigh Horsburgh described the loss as a disappointing one, saying his side were cruelled by things outside of their control.
"We went there wanting to win. The effort was good, the pressure was good. The things that were outside of our control like injuries came back to hurt us," he said,
"The difference in the end was the fact that they had a full bench and we didn't."
Drouin will finish their season this Saturday by unveiling their new playing surface as they host Warragul at their only game at Drouin Recreation Reserve.
Horsburgh said the new surface was looking amazing, and encouraged everyone to come down and check it out.
"It starts a new chapter for the club. We have a lot of young blokes, it's a very new team and now there's no excuses from here on in. This year's been difficult but with the new ground it's a new era."
