Game of the Week
Eltham (10-8) vs Sandringham (10-8)
Saturday 7:30pm at Eltham
It was game of the week last round and there is no reason why it can't be again here with just so much riding on the outcome of this battle. The chances of a three way tie are very high to determine fifth place in this division. That will probably happen if Sandringham beat Eltham. If they don't Eltham should also win their final game against the Blues and then might find themselves battling Bendigo for fifth on a head to head ratio - a battle Eltham have already lost.

So, Eltham need to win here and for Bendigo to drop at least one more game on the way home. Sandringham need to win here and beat Bendigo next weekend to make finals under their own steam. If Sandy lose here and beat Bendigo, we are likely back to a three way tie. It's extraordinarily tight, and the games promise to be of the highest quality between some exciting, and young, teams.

Frankston (6-11) vs Werribee (1-16)
Saturday 7:30pm at Frankston
The Blues can arrest a five game losing streak with a win here, something they would expect to do. Of course if the Devils are determined to play for pride, they might have something to say about that.

Nunawading (10-7) vs Knox (11-6)
Saturday 8:00pm at Nunawading
Nunawading can possibly force a two-way tie for third and fourth place with a win here, and in doing so make life a little easier for Diamond Valley. Knox's away record is not impressive - losing five of their eight games played.

Dandenong (14-3) vs Kilsyth (7-9)
Saturday 8:00pm at Dandenong
Kilsyth took a 15 point tumble last times these teams met and its difficult to see that changing here - the Rangers in imperious form, as shown by their calculated demolition of Eltham last weekend.

Werribee (1-16) vs Knox (11-6)
Sunday 12:00pm at Werribee
Knox's road record might not be good but they can expect to improve it here. Its hard to see the Devils getting back on the winners list here - the Raiders deep and powerful.

Ballarat (5-13) vs Kilsyth (7-9)
Sunday 1:45pm at Ballarat
The Nuggets men and women both face the Cobras and both will be looking for the upset. The men, if they regain their early season form, are more than capable of doing that.

Bendigo (9-8) vs Nunawading (10-7)
Sunday 2:00pm at Bendigo
The Braves have a tough road ahead with games at home against Nunawading and Sandringham, before heading to Werribee to close out the year. This game is the key, they must win to remain in the hunt.

Diamond Valley (12-6) vs Dandenong (14-3)
Sunday 2:00pm at Diamond Valley
Heath Hay played just 10 minutes in last weekends loss to Sandringham. The Eagles need him fit, and for Gibson, Todd and Smyth to all fire if they are to cause an upset here.

Youth League Women

Game of the Week
Ballarat (7-10) vs Kilsyth (11-6)
Sunday 12:00pm at Ballarat
With the Cobras duelling with the Bronco's for the fifth and final position in the finals, this is a major match-up, mainly because we think at home Ballarat are more than capable of causing the upset. The Cobras did themselves no favours last week when, under pressure, they dropped a critical game to Frankston, a team they would have expected to beat.

It puts them under unexpected pressure this round and the Nuggets should feed off that. They are a very good side in their own right and they've had a fine season where they've won more consistently on the road than at home. They've still been rewarded with a great home following, and they'll want to return the favour by causing the boilover and adding more chaos to Kilsyth's run home.

Dandenong (17-1) vs Sandringham (3-14)
Saturday 6:00pm at Dandenong
The Rangers will use this as an opportunity to fine-tune things as they head into a finals series that will be dominated by home games. They can't be unsated from first place and therefore have little to risk.

Hume City (11-7) vs Frankston (6-12)
Saturday 8:00pm at Broadmeadows
The Blues showed last weekend they won't be shy as the season closes. Look for them to really go after the Bronco's here, a team that just cannot afford to be tentative, Hume simply must keep winning and hope Kilsyth slip-up.

Sandringham (3-14) vs Coburg (0-18)
Sunday 12:00pm at Sandringham
The Sabres should get their fourth win of the year here with the Giants continuing to struggle. The one thing in Coburg's favour is that Sandy will have had a tough night out Saturday at Dandenong.

Waverley (3-15) vs Nunawading (12-5)
Sunday 12:00pm at Waverley
The Spectres would be expected to win this and draw even on win-loss with the Wildcats. A big win would push them into third on percentage.

Knox (14-4) vs Bulleen (9-9)
Sunday 1:00pm at Knox
Back in round five Knox handed Bulleen a thumping loss that really set a promising season back for the Boomers. We think that game will be firm in their memories here and for Bulleen to give a much better account of themselves.

Youth League 2 Men

Game of the Week
Ringwood (10-6) vs Waverley (9-7)
Sunday 12:00pm at Maroondah
Waverley's transformation in 2006 from a team that was regular defeated to one that is now a finals contender has been fantastic to watch. They have spent the time, groomed players and built winning momentum. Without doubt they are the surprise packet of 2006 and Ross Wignall must be a highly ranked consideration for Coach of the year.

Six wins from the last seven games has brought them to the brink of the finals and this crucial match-up with Ringwood. The last time they played was back in round 8 when the Hawks took a four point result. Since then Waverley have defeated Sherbrooke, and all round this year have consistently been within around 10 points of the leading sides. A win by more than four puts them ahead of the Hawks on head to head, a loss says goodbye to the playoffs.

Bulleen (3-12) vs Sherbrooke (12-3)
Saturday 6:00pm at Templestowe
After reaching the finals in 2006 its been a hard year for the Boomers, albeit with a very different group of players who have struggled to come to grips with a significantly better standard competition than was experienced last year. Sherbrooke, suffering a massive injury count, should still account for them here.

Latrobe City (2-14) vs Coburg (8-7)
Saturday 8:00pm at Traralgon
The Energy can make up for some lost ground here if, like Sherbrooke, they can possibly get a couple of their injured players back in uniform for the close of the season. Coburg still tough, and still competitive.

Sherbrooke (12-3) vs Melbourne (13-3)
Sunday 12:45pm at Monbulk
The only reason this game did not get game of the week status is because both teams are assured play-off berths - that tells us something about how big this is, with Melbourne destined to take the minor premiership with a win, or finish third with a loss.