The round 16 encounter at Riverside Park will be the last game before finals involving two current top four teams.

Reigning premiers Newbridge sit second on the ladder at 11-2.

Those wins include an earlier season seven goal triumph over the Mean Machine (10-4), in which the Maroons finished over the top of their rivals.

It's been a season of intrigue for the Maroons, who have only once had their full contingent of players, but managed to win all but two of their encounters against Mitiamo.

They will again be missing one of their 2016 premiership stars in Gemma Steel, but will regain Megan Jennings, who missed a 48-34 win over Calivil United before last week's bye.

Maroons coach Shay was confident this latest absence would not be too unsettling, as it has proven throughout the season.

"We had a really good match against Calivil, they really pushed us," she said.

"We found it hard in the (goal) ring - we probably played our best attacking half across the last half of the game.

"I think we really need this tough game this week to really see where we are at against everyone else.

"Bridgey will be fit and they are a bit younger than us and faster, but generally we match up well against them.

"It will be a good little warm-up for finals.

Bridgewater took advantage of Pyramid Hill's narrow loss to Mitiamo to jump back into third spot.

Shay anticipated the desire to remain in third would give the Mean Machine added incentive against the Maroons.

But Bridgewater coach Allen conceded that not even wins against the Maroons and Marong in their final match might be enough to deliver her side the double chance, with Pyramid Hill left with three games to play, each against teams lower on the ladder.

"It would be awesome to get a win against Newbridge, even if just to get some momentum heading into finals," she said.

"They are obviously a very competitive team, so we will need to put up a good show.

"Defensive pressure is going to be pivotal to us getting a win."

Allen, who is in his first year as coach, was encouraged by her side's fighting spirit in a 44-39 win over Calivil United.

The Mean Machine were led by star centre Stacey Rothacker, who chimed in with countless key intercepts and continually fed the Mean Machine's goalers.

"We only won by five goals, but it was pretty much even at every break," Allen said.

"It was a pretty good match to have, particularly coming into finals - it was good to play under pressure.

"Calivil really stood up, so I was pleased with how all our girls played."

Wing attack Ashlee Strachan will miss this game for Bridgewater.

In other games this round, fifth-placed Bears Lagoon-Serpentine clashes with Maiden Gully YCW, sixth-placed Calivil United hosts Marong, and Inglewood meets Pyramid Hill.