One week on from the incredibly poignant and successful Mental Health round, the Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association turns its attention back to the traditional format and a chilling run to finals.

Three rounds and six weeks of cricket remain until the semi-finals, but the question of which four sides will be lucky enough to play in the high-profile games is far from answered.

Penola sits on top, a game clear ahead of the rest, but one slip up away from joining a hungry pack of sharks fighting for the same territory.

The minuscule margin of six premiership points is all that separate the likes of West Gambier, Mil Lel, East Gambier and North Sportsman’s on the ladder.

One of them will miss out on a finals ticket, while they all want a slice of the action and particularly the all important home-ground advantage in the semi-final.

Following the latest fling of limited overs fixtures the minor-round season will be fittingly decided by the grand old game of red ball cricket.

The traditional format tests every aspect of a player’s physical and mental skillset and the cream will rise to the top over the next six fascinating weeks.

No matter what happens on the pitch, there could be one outside factor which could turn the season on its head.

The ever-increasing variable around the coming weeks is how isolation strikes each team and some have already felt the full effect, so it may come down to the smartest on and off the field.

There will be no love lost at Scott Park when East Gambier and Penola lock horns.

When tensions were even higher during a down-to-the-wire semi-final between the rivals at the Kennel last summer, some could not handle the heat as the Eagles won by 11 runs with just 96 to defend.

Even after a limited overs fixture earlier this summer went the Bulldogs’ way, some players on both teams may have had their eyes on this fixture ever since looking to make a statement with the red ball.

With the bigger picture in mind both units want to return to winning ways after falling short in low-scoring affairs last week.

The Eagles’ solid grip on the ladder lead remains intact, but the defeat to West Gambier would have dented their pride.

Penola had won six consecutive games across the formats until the streak was broken by the Roos.

The loss could be masked by the Eagles’ inability to play a full-strength side with their big three of Michael Waters, Mark Smith and Jack Mullan ruled out due to isolation.

If they return it will be game on, while the likes of George Kidman, Drew Clayfield and Lachlan Jones cannot be ignored.

The Bulldogs may not have needed an extra incentive to perform against Penola, but they received one after falling so close to a miracle against North Sportsman’s.

East was down for the count against the reigning premiers at Marist Park, but Liam Turley, Marc Roberts and Jack Lawrence showed some grit to give themselves a chance.

In the end they fell eight runs short, but few will forget their character and it’s the type of performance that can lift a team.

The Bulldogs have a luxury of options with the ball, white their batting stocks could be bolstered by some high-profile returnees.

Dion Stratford is the man to watch after his match-winning half-century in the previous one-on-one battle.

In what would have been an unlikely scenario at the start of the season, third-placed Mil Lel takes on reigning premiers North which sits down in fifth position of the ladder.

After the teams sat at opposite ends of the pecking order last summer, no one could have predicted what would unfold now.

Mil Lel has been the good-news story of the 2021/22 season rising from many years at the bottom to beating and competing with the best.

Following an excellent red-ball campaign earlier in the season before backing it up with a win on return over South Gambier last weekend, Mil Lel captain Jack Miller said his men could sense something special there for the taking.

“It is huge because you can tell around the group at every training and game everyone is up and about,” he said.

“There is pressure on spots now, which is healthy and great for the club for sure.”

However, if any cricket fan has learnt anything over the last few seasons its never underestimate the yellow and black when the new year rolls around.

When finals are in the air, the Tigers smell blood and their big game performers such as Nick McInerney, Jake Schutz, Tim Young and Declan Kenny rise to the occasion.

McInerney’s services were missed last week when Mitch Lewis stepped up to the leadership duties, but that did not stop a new face in Isaac Mulraney from winning a thriller over East.

North returns to Marist Park with a spring in its step and hopeful of maintaining its strong record of winning seven of its last nine post Christmas two-day encounters.

The final contest will be held at Malseed Park when a consistent West side takes on an inconsistent South side.

Although the Demons have compiled more runs and wickets than the Roos this summer, it is the latter fighting for finals.

Luck has not been with first-time South skipper Cam Jorgensen, who is searching for his first win in six attempts.

The Demons have remained competitive in each game, but the key moments have gone against them.

On the other hand, West has been a potent force with rich all-round resources.

Outside of a pair of under-par efforts with the bat, the Roos have put together a season to be proud of and are in the mix of flag favourites.

Depth is strong with the B Grade also on top and Justin DeJong has happy memories of the Demons after taking four wickets and scoring a century last time out, while some names could return the side after missing last weekend’s return game.