KANGAROO Flat and Maryborough will attempt to grab the inside running to a BFNL netball elimination finals berth when they clash at Dower Park this weekend.
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The Magpies took advantage of the reigning premiers' loss to Gisborne last week to overtake the Roos in fifth spot following a fighting win over fellow finals aspirant South Bendigo.
Both enter the weekend with matching 6-6 records and the chance to claim outright fifth spot ahead of a tantalising run to the finals.
The Magpies won their earlier season contest at Maryborough by 13 goals.
Kangaroo Flat was on that occasion without its star goal shooter Ruby Barkmeyer and key playmaker Chelsea Sartori.
Both will be on-deck for this clash, as will class defender Alicia McGlashon, who only returned to the line-up mid-season.
In a further boost for Roos coach Janelle Hobbs, premiership goal attack Jamie-Lee Clohesy will also be available after missing last week's 33-51 loss to Gisborne due to illness.
It's been a reflection of their season, with the Roos rarely being able to muster a full-strength team, with Barkmeyer and Sartori on VNL commitments and injuries taking a toll.
That has left young midcourter Milly Wicks to shoulder much of the load, with dual Roos premiership coach Hobbs full of praise for the job done by her BFNL representative.
"Milly has only missed the one game and has been our most consistent player this season," she said.
"For a young girl, she has really led by example.
"If we can get the other players back and combining, I'm sure we can make it back into the five."
Hobbs said earning the chance to play finals was a challenge her side was ready to embrace.
"If we are fit and ready to go we can challenge any team, it's a matter of getting it done.
"This week is super-important for us."
Maryborough coach Anika Munn said her players had shown tremendous resilience and commitment to work their way back into fifth spot, after being 3-6 at the halfway mark.
"This week will be tough, when we played Kangaroo Flat in the first round they didn't have their goal shooter and others," she said.
"Hopefully we are up to the challenge."
The Magpies are getting first-class performances from Jordan Macilwain and Alisha Cassidy in the goal circle, while Eliza Roughead has earned plaudits from her coach for her standout work in defence and more recently in the midcourt.
"Eliza has been playing centre the last few weeks and she's generating turnovers that are really important," Munn said.
"She's very fit and gets her hands to a lot - we can play her anywhere."
The Magpies expect to be at full-strength for the clash.
Meanwhile, Golden Square and Eaglehawk are both looking to return to the winners' list in their clash at Wade Street.
An injury-stricken Bulldogs were no match for top side Sandhurst and will again have players missing.
Eaglehawk has mixed its form, including a draw last week against Strathfieldsaye, but could go a long way to sewing up a finals berh with a win over the Bulldogs, who beat them earlier this season.
In other weekend games, Strathfieldsaye hosts Gisborne, Kyneton meets Sandhurst and South Bendigo and Castlemaine clash at the QEO.