The headline clash is at Heriot, where the home side host competition leaders Clutha.
The defending champions have already secured first place and a host of trophies, but the Speight’s Jug remains on the line.
Heriot’s finals hopes are simple: a win guarantees a top-four berth, while two losing bonus points would also keep them in contention.
Clutha will be missing several players through injury and other commitments, adding further intrigue.
There is also speculation the competition leaders would prefer to face Heriot in next week’s semifinals, making this one of the weekend’s most fascinating contests as Clutha have all the cards at their disposal.
Toko also has everything to play for.
The Axemen sit level with Heriot on competition points and travel to Lawrence knowing victory should secure a top-four place.
Lawrence are locked into the bottom four but will be determined to finish the regular season strongly and spoil Toko’s plans.
At Kaitangata, Crescent host Owaka with both the John Wybrow and Greg Smith Memorial trophies at stake.
Crescent’s path to the finals is the toughest.
They need Clutha to beat Heriot, Lawrence to defeat Toko, and neither Heriot nor Toko to collect a losing bonus point, and they must secure a bonus-point win themselves against an Owaka side
capable of upsetting any opponent.
The weekend begins this afternoon at Outram, where West Taieri host Clinton.
Although West Taieri are assured of second place and Clinton will finish ninth, both sides will be looking to build momentum and finish the season with pride.
Perhaps the most anxious spectators will be Clutha Valley.
Sitting third with the bye, they have no control over their fate and must simply watch, wait and hope results elsewhere fall in their favour. — Francis Parker
