Lock it in.

Wangaratta is the best team, albeit not by much.

Those three losses in a four-week stint, when burdened by injuries, will cost the Pies top spot.

In the past 10 years, Albury has won nine minor premierships, claiming seven flags.

Yarrawonga (2013) and Wangaratta (2017) finished second, but toppled the Tigers in the grand final.

Could we see a third team claim the title after failing to snare the minor premiership?

IN OTHER NEWS:

MYRTLEFORD SAYS IT'S NOT TALKING TOP THREE, WHAT DOES THAT SHOW?

The group's maturity.

The Saints have won only one premiership in 69 years.

It's played finals only once since 2006, falling in the elimination final to Wodonga Raiders in 2016.

If any club is entitled to be excited about playing finals, it's Myrtleford.

The Saints are second, on percentage, with only three rounds left, so they can almost touch the double chance.

But under first-year coach Jake Sharp, the players are refusing to get carried away.

It's a top effort considering where they've come from, posting only four wins.

WHAT DO THE ROOS OWE VETERAN JAMIE SEYMOUR IN HIS 200TH GAME?

Their best performance of the season.

Now nobody is expecting Corowa-Rutherglen, which has won one game, to topple Wodonga Raiders, who are staring at a top five finish.

And there's no doubt injuries have cruelled the Roos' season, with up to 11 players missing at times.

But when you have a milestone, you simply have to find a way to lift.

Melbourne Storm do the milestone games better than any sporting organisation.

Coach Craig Bellamy takes it personally that players should reward a team-mate with a mighty performance.

The Roos should be desperate to reward a player, who's largely been there through the tough times.

It will be tough for players to look him in the eye if they don't.

CONVERSELY, WHAT SHOULD RAIDERS DO?

Launch themselves at the Roos like it's the last game of the season.

They say never give a sucker an even break and with fifth spot still to be sewn up, the home side should work on robbing the Roos of any motivation by quarter-time.

Raiders hold a percentage lead over sixth-placed Wangaratta Rovers of 8.37.

If they can blow the visitors away, it would open a sizeable percentage lead over the Hawks, placing enormous pressure on them to respond in kind the following week against Wodonga.

Imagine the pressure on Rovers if they know they need a three-figure win to cut the deficit to Raiders.

The Roos are also coming off their first three-figure losses of the season (Myrtleford and Albury).

Just how much does each club want to come away with the best possible result?

WHAT CAN NORTH HOPE TO ACHIEVE AGAINST LAVINGTON?

Just another example of how much it's improved.

While Wangaratta-Myrtleford is the big game of the first part of the split round, North's home clash will also grab some limelight, given Lavington's Matt Pendergast will play his 300^th game.

In the first month, North lost to Lavington by 136 points, Wangaratta (151) and Albury (133).

The Hoppers looked certainties for the wooden spoon and would seemingly start outsiders in every game.

But on-field coach Isaac Muller and his players have turned it around to post three wins.

They stunned Wodonga by 61 points in round six, toppled Corowa-Rutherglen by 26 points in round 12 and followed it with a 28-point win over Wodonga.

It wouldn't be fair to suggest North can topple the Panthers but, if they can, say, halve the margin from the first game, that's a pass mark.

The fact North won't claim the wooden spoon means the season's a success.