Vying for the last finals berth are Laharum, currently fourth with a 4-3 record, Lubeck-Murtoa, 4-4, and Noradjuha-Toolondo, 3-5.
Horsham Saints, Horsham Tigers and Colts sit at the foot of the ladder and would be hard pressed to contend for finals barring a large form reversal.
The competition will resume with a round of one-day matches on Saturday, before three two-day rounds to close out the home-and-away season.
West Wimmera will host Horsham Tigers at Nhill’s Davis Park this weekend – a venue at which the Warriors’ dangerous bowling attack thrives.
Tiger Angus Adams – the competition’s top run-scorer with 440 through eight rounds – must have another big game to give his side any chance.
Warriors spearhead Nathan Alexander, with 19 wickets at an incredible average of 6.58, will attempt to stifle Adams and the Tigers, with plenty more firepower in the West Wimmera attack including Xavier Bone, 16 wickets, and Jeremy Weeks, 13.
Colts will be in search of their second win of the season as they host Lubeck-Murtoa at Dudley Cornell Park.
While the Colts have struggled at times to generate runs this season, young bowler Joey Nagorcka is among the association’s top 10 wicket-takers and will keep Mudlark batsmen including Cameron Newell and Shannon Reddie on their toes.
Noradjua-Toolondo will host Laharum at Noradjuha Recreation Reserve in a match with big finals implications.
The Bullants, led by Matt Combe with both bat and ball, can overtake the Demons with a win, while Laharum can solidify its grasp on fourth place if its bowling attack, led by Jim McInnes, Jackson Hoffmann, Josh Mahoney and Joel Pymer, fires.
Another match with potential to shape the finals race will be at Sunnyside Recreation Reserve, where Homers will host Brim-Kellalac-Sheep Hills.
The Pigeons were humbled by the Eagles in their previous meeting, with BKSH vice-captain Charlie Dean claiming four wickets, and Homers’ top-order batsmen will be keen to redeem themselves in front of their home supporters.