AS THE final siren sounded around the grounds last weekend eight teams became five with the Peel Football League finals series set to start on Sunday.
Baldivis joined Mundijong, Waroona, Pinjarra and Halls Head in the final five after overcoming South Mandurah in a do-or-die clash.
Mundijong ended the season on top of the ladder and will now have a welcome rest in the first round of the finals as Waroona come up against reigning premiers Pinjarra and Halls Head clash with Baldivis.
Waroona stormed into the finals on the back of a seven-game winning streak but Pinjarra will be no easy beats.
Matches between the traditional rivals are always fierce with the added incentive of a premiership sure to add fire to the match.
Pinjarra has lost the last two games against Waroona, the most recent just two weeks ago with Waroona winning by 52 points.
Alan Wilson was unstoppable for the Demons with nine goals and will be a player Pinjarra will endeavour to stop.
In round eight Waroona easily accounted for Pinjarra. winning by 32 points in a low-scoring affair, 10.5 (65) to 4.9 (33).
Wilson again had an influence with four goals.
The last time Pinjarra defeated Waroona was in round one with the Tigers securing a 43-point win.
Pinjarra’s issue has been personnel; just 11 players from their round one clash took to the field for Pinjarra in their most recent loss to Waroona.
Finals are an unknown for Halls Head with the side entering their first ever league finals campaign in the club’s history.
Halls Head would be confident of defeating Baldivis in their elimination final after winning five more games during the home and away season; Baldivis won just seven games for the year.
Halls Head has defeated Baldivis in each of their two meetings this season.
In round four Dean Buszan led Halls Head to a 53-point win after booting eight goals.
Buszan has played just five games for Halls Head, kicking 21 goals, so whether he takes the field in the final is an unknown.
Peter Agostino kicked four goals for Baldivis
In their most recent encounter Baldivis were far more competitive going down by three goals after a slow start.
John Bennell and Nathan Fahey kicked three goals for Halls Head while Agostino kicked three for Baldivis.
All the pressure is on Halls Head with the Lightning clearly the better side throughout the season.
But Baldivis faced the equivalent of an elimination final against South Mandurah and judging by the come-from-behind victory, it could be anyone’s game on Sunday.