No and in fact the Pies could lose the next two, drop three games out of the top three with only three games left, and still snatch the double chance.

The reasoning there is the grand finalists sit a win behind Albury and Myrtleford. Albury has a similar percentage to the Pies and given they should win the last four games, 'Wang' would finish, at best, on the same points.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Myrtleford's percentage is around 50 less than the pre-season favourites, so they must hone in on the Saints.

Myrtleford should beat Corowa-Rutherglen on Saturday and just push past Wodonga Raiders at home the following week, but will then start underdogs against Wangaratta, Lavington and Albury.

Wang has now won four straight after a horror injury toll, but with most of those stars back, they are starting to look like the premiership force.

If the Pies beat Albury and-or Lavington in the next fortnight, they should finish top three.

CAN WANGARATTA WIN WITHOUT MICHAEL NEWTON?

No.

And it's now been three months since the Doug Strang medallist completed a game.

He played just nine minutes against Lavington in round five before he went off with a torn pectoral muscle and missed seven weeks.

He then lasted a half against Wodonga Raiders before going off with a hamstring, although he would have played prior to the bye if it was a top contender.

The Pies were everyone's pick over summer after picking up premiership players Josh Porter and Ben Speight, along with Daine Porter and Luke Morgan.

But Newton is the key. If he plays it allows the giant Porter to roam down the ground and pick up marks.

DOES THE WINNER OF RAIDERS-ROVERS PLAY FINALS?

Not necessarily, although it would be a monumental step in the right direction.

The teams are equal on points, but Raiders hold a percentage lead of 13.78.

The last round proved crucial.

Prior to round 13, Rovers led by a percentage of 3.98.

After Raiders hammered Wodonga by 99 points and Rovers were belted by Lavington by 86, the teams now sit respectively on 105.10 and 91.37.

That's a 17.76 per cent turnaround.

That's why you think Rovers probably need to topple Raiders on Saturday.

If they don't, they will fall further behind on percentage and also points and given they're not a free-scoring team, it will be hard to make up the gap in the run home.

However, Rovers have a slightly easier run home, tackling just one top five outfit in the final month (Wangaratta), while Raiders have Myrtleford and Albury.

Throw everything like that into the mix and that's why there's such interest in the game.

ARE ROVERS SHOT AFTER THAT SECOND HALF FADEOUT AGAINST LAVINGTON?

If you judge it purely on that half, then yes.

Lavington destroyed Rovers with a 13 goal to one blitz and for the first time this year, they looked tired against the Panthers' onslaught.

The Hawks were coming off a winless wooden spoon and had a monster pre-season under first-year coach Daryn Cresswell, winning six of their first 10 games to leap, surprisingly, into the top five.

But when you're coming from so far back, you're entitled to a bad half here and there and Lavington did produce one of the most clinicals halves of the season.

Cresswell gave the players a week off over the bye and it will depend on how much of their 'bounce' they can regain as to whether or not they can nab that fairytale finals finish.

The inclusion of Charlie Thompson from Richmond's VFL and Nick Murray will make a massive difference and the latter will be desperate to bounce back after a disappointing game against Myrtleford in the wet.

The Hawks' midfield has been outpointed in the losses to Myrtleford and Lavington, but if it can break even with Raiders, it will allow the pacy Dylan Stone and Matt Medcraft to shine again.

Stone kicked 21 goals in his first 10 games. He hasn't kicked a goal since.

Medcraft also hasn't kicked a goal in recent weeks. That pair has been strong for most of the season, but it helps if the midfield wins the ball, allowing them the space to finish.

IS NORTH ALBURY FREE OF THE WOODEN SPOON FEAR?

No. But if the Hoppers beat Wodonga on Saturday, it becomes a race in two.

North has the two wins, one ahead of both Corowa-Rutherglen and Wodonga.

However, North and Wodonga have virtually the same percentage, while Corowa's defensive strategy means it has a significant advantage.

North stunned Wodonga in round six and it was interesting to hear Hoppers' coach Isaac Muller speak about trying to get his youthful team used to what he feels will be a verbal barrage.

Muller cried tears of relief when his team, the hot favourite to claim the wooden spoon, toppled Wodonga in May.

He might just cry tears of joy if they win.

Receive our daily newsletter straight to your inbox each morning from The Border Mail. Sign up here