Thanks to a superior percentage over minor premiership rivals Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes, the Lions will secure top spot on the ladder should they win the local derby at Coolamon on Sunday.

The side has the bye in the final round, meaning if they defeat the Hoppers they effectively won't play again for three weeks, with a grand final spot on the line.

The situation was thrust back into the spotlight after Turvey Park's upset of the Goannas allowed the Lions to return to the top of the ladder.

After beating the Goannas to climb to first, the Lions handed it back immediately with a loss to Wagga Tigers. But MCUE returned the favour just a week later.

Martyn said working out how to ensure they've done enough work to be ready for finals will be a priority.

But he's confident they are well placed to handle an extended break and not lose any momentum, given they handled a similar situation well earlier this year.

Their first team bye was scheduled for the week after a competition bye for Easter, but they thrashed Narrandera by 153 points in their next game.

IN OTHER NEWS

"It's something we've definitely discussed at length as coaches and as a club, but I guess if anyone can do it we're probably in the best position given we had the double bye earlier this year," Martyn said.

"If we do get that double chance, we've done it before. The week after was Narrandera and we put 150 points on them. We're happy to work with whatever situation is presented to us.

"You want to replicate a game-like situation, because going straight into a final is a big step up.

"The Coolamon game is probably as close as we'll get to a finals game, (but) we'd love to replicate that somewhere in those two weeks (should it happen).

"But number one is making sure blokes are as close to 100 per cent as possible. Secondary is how do we get the work in so we're right to go, whether it's for week one or two of finals."

The first week of finals would also give Martyn and forward Riley Corbett (quad) another chance to recover further before they're required to play again.

This weekend's penultimate round is a vital one as the top six teams jostling for finals spots all play each other.

Coolamon's finals place appears safe but despite some indifferent form in the back half of the year are still in the hunt for a top three spot.

They are just a win behind Wagga Tigers, who take on Turvey Park in the weekend's other traditional derby, and the Hoppers' and Tigers' percentage are near identical.

The other vital clash of the weekend sees Collingullie-Glenfield Park, who can still finish top three but also miss out completely, travel to Mangoplah.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: