With finals just around the corner the stage is set for the 2021 Steeline Limestone Coast Football Association minor-round season to complete its last chapter this weekend.
The top four of the men’s top grade is set, but the makeup of the senior women’s postseason is far from resolved.
The fourth and final position on the women’s ladder is the only senior finals ticket up for grabs in the final round and the two protagonists just happen to be playing one another.
Apollo and Millicent will fight to the final whistle to decide who will keep their 2021 season alive.
The blue and white have played the better football recently as Millicent has not tasted success for almost two months.
Apollo holds all the aces with the home-pitch advantage, incumbency and recent bragging rights after winning back in round 2.
However, the blue and white were forced to work hard for those premiership points.
Leticia Izzo’s double kept Millicent in the hunt, but strikes from Zoe Brooksby, Evie Thompson and Daylia Daylia pushed Apollo out of danger.
The tight tussle will give both sides hope it can get the job done, so expect the fight for fourth to go down to the wire.
A possible grand final preview is on the cards at Malseed Park between Blue Lake United and International.
Over the course of nine rounds the two sides have proven the credentials as the leading lights for the inaugural LCFA women’s title and would love nothing more than an early confidence booster heading into finals.
The Rangers are yet to slip in the 2021 Premiership Cup and should finish their perfect campaign in style, while Inter’s only low point of the year occurred in the previous encounter between the rivals in round 2.
On that day at Casadio Park, Blue Lake United was untouchable thanks to a Lauren Frost hat-trick.
Frost is almost a certainty to take home the Golden Boot having kicked 14 goals, three more than anyone else.
The only other to exceed double figures in 2021 is International’s Stephanie Gilbert with 11 and she will be keen to keep her hat in the ring by kicking her side to a memorable win.
Gambier Centrals and Naracoorte will finish the minor rounds on Sunday afternoon at MGA Park.
Finalist Centrals should get the job done against a young Naracoorte team after recording a solid 4-0 win last time.
However, expect the visitors to run out hard knowing it will be their last chance to taste victory in their debut year.
With the top four all wrapped up, the storyline surrounding the last round of the senior men’s grade is who will get to wear the Golden Boot.
Following a day out last weekend, the individual gong could remain in familiar hands with International star Matt Bueti leading the pack.
Bueti threw himself back into contention in the space of 90 minutes and will back himself to defend the prize having kicked four goals last time he faced Blue Lake United.
Another man wearing the black and blue who shot himself into the reckoning was Connor Prior.
The young gun has shown the ability to push up the ground and weave through defenders this year and could easily score his first Golden Boot.
Despite Inter knocking over Blue Lake 11-0 last time, it may not be such a simple task this week after the Rangers scored their maiden win of the season on Sunday.
Gambier Centrals weapon Sam Shoemark had been the number-one seed to take the prestigious trophy, but a goalless effort against Apollo has left him with some work to do.
Shoemark will be determined to put in a big effort against fellow finalist Naracoorte.
The Lions versus yellow and black contest looms as the tightest men’s top grade battle and the latter will be keen to rectify for its disappointing loss to Inter.
Apollo’s Say Say Wah could be a bolter being in the race, but senses an opportunity against the worst defence in the competition at Webb Street this Sunday against Millicent.
