SOUTH COAST AFL
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The four- team race for a top two spot in South Coast AFL continues on Saturday with crunch matches for most of the flag contenders.
Leaders Kiama have the bye while second-placed premiers Wollongong are at home to third-placed Bomaderry, and Northern Districts (fourth) face a must-win home clash against sixth-placed Figtree.
With four rounds remaining, Wollongong Bulldogs are a win behind Kiama but have a slightly better percentage and can take top spot by beating in-form Bomaderry Tigers at Keira Oval.
The Tigers have a final round bye (no points) and need to win to keep their top two hopes alive and earn the finals double-chance.
The Bulldogs are at the end of a horror five-week stretch of university exams and holidays and are ready to make their charge at a third straight premiership.
"It's been a tough few weeks but it is the same every season and we can look forward to getting our best side back together and playing good footy," Bulldogs coach Lee Murray said.
Meanwhile, Northern Districts Tigers defeated Wollongong then Shellharbour to keep their top two hopes alive and face a must-win game against Figtree.
Fresh off the bye, it's a game the Tigers cannot afford to lose while Figtree, and Shellharbour, have been the big improvers among the teams outside the top four.
In Saturday's other games, Shellharbour are coming off an 11-goal win over Nowra and host Port Kembla while Nowra and Albatross meet at Tom Smith Oval.
Figtree (round 16), Shellharbour (round 17) and Bomaderry (round 18) have the bye (no points) over the last three weeks of the season.
● The Illawarra Lions have the weekend off with Sydney AFL First Division on a general bye.
With four rounds to go, the Lions (4 wins/10 losses) are eighth and will take on leaders Balmain next Saturday at North Dalton Park.
Ladder: Kiama 22, Wollongong 20, Bomaderry 18, Northern Districts 18, Shellharbour City 12, Figtree 12, Port Kembla 6, Nowra 4, Albatross 0.
ROUND 15
SATURDAY
2.10pm first bounce
Wollongong v Bomaderry at Keira Oval
Albatross v Nowra at Tom Smith Oval
Shellharbour v Port Kembla at Jock Brown Oval
Northern Districts v Figtree at Hollymount Park
Kiama has the bye.