With the top six confirmed after last weekend’s results, the clash between Merrigum and Rushworth at Ironbark Stadium headlined round 17 as the only contest between two finals bound sides, with the result having a huge bearing on the elimination final match ups. In a gritty affair, both sides traded blows throughout the encounter, but it was Merrigum that came away on top, the Bulldogs prevailing 37-33 in a victory that improves their September outlook significantly. Tallygaroopna too entered round 17 half a game ahead of Rushworth, but having taken care of Undera with a comfortable 64-12 win on Sunday afternoon, the Redlegs have also moved six premiership points clear. In the final matchup of the round, Violet Town finally snapped a losing streak that hadn’t seen it celebrate victory since May on Sunday at Violet Town Recreation Reserve. Hosting Longwood, the Towners proved too classy in the 36-28 victory to post their first win since round seven, having endured a run of eight consecutive games without victory.