HENWOOD Park coach Matt Menser has backed the move to reduce the finals format to five teams this year, adamant it rewards the best teams in one of the closest premiership battles for years.
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Most Pascoe Cup clubs have this weekend off, which is a wet weather catch up round, but the Hawks will travel to Leeton United in a crucial clash for both sides.
United, currently sixth, have a huge chance to break into the top five when they host second-last South Wagga on Saturday, before backing up against Henwood Park.
A win would put Henwood Park level with ladder leaders Lake Albert before they play the Sharks in a blockbuster at Rawlings Park next weekend.
The Hawks finished second last year before being eliminated from the finals after one loss.
This year the premiers have the first weekend off and need only win in the second or third week to make the grand final, while second and third can't be eliminated when they play each other in week one.
"The whole top three get a second bit and top essentially gets two. It rewards you for having a decent season, rather than finishing second and being out first round," Menser said.
"I think this year's is much better and rewards the teams that do well.
"Last year there was only two teams who were close (at the top of the ladder) whereas there's three or four teams right in there, which has made it more interesting.
"Then you've got another three or four fighting to get into that top five, it's definitely a busy end of the season."
Henwood Park and Leeton United meet again just a week after a scoreless draw in miserable conditions at Rawlings Park last round.
Both teams had chances to secure all three points, but Leeton showed enough to suggest they'll be more than a handful should they make finals.
"It's hard to read a lot into it, it was a pretty tight contest and the conditions were pretty ordinary, it didn't allow either team to play any decent football," Menser said.
"If it's dry this week I expect a totally different game and they're a good team, the only reason they're behind is they've had so many catch-up matches."
Menser is hopeful South Wagga manages to avoid a blow out score as long as possible to ensure Leeton's players aren't rested on Saturday.
"A tough match would definitely be better for us but having played both teams, they're definitely a lot better than South Wagga," he said.
Tolland was also due to play South Wagga at Rawlings Park on Thursday night in the week's other catch-up match.
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