Fitzsimmons picked up another six votes against the Jets last week to go to 37 votes which, after a quiet day for Haddrill, kept him within sight of the award heading into this week's game against Charles Sturt University.

EWK coach Matt Hard has been thrilled with Fitzsimmons' season and said he deserves the recogntion of being high up on the leaderboard.

"I think it's fantastic reward. I know Harry doesn't go much on individual awards but he's been super consistent all year and it's great to see that he's been getting recognised for it," Hard said.

Haddrill's Jets take on Coleambally and are desperate for a return to winning form before finals.

Potentially, five players could have still been in the running for top spot but Marrar star James Lawton (34 votes) will miss their game against Barellan with an ankle injury.

Fellow Bomber Jack Reynolds could still finish in a tie for the lead, sitting on 33 votes, six behind Haddrill.

But The Rock-Yerong Creek forward Dean Biermann (also on 33 votes) will miss the last round due to the Canberra lockdown.

The 'Pies will also head to Temora without Cooper Diessel, erring on the side of caution, even though they have Biermann, Riley Budd and Joe Hancock out.

Diessel was limping with a cork last week and TRYC don't want to risk him missing a final.

"He's starting to get into a bit of form but it was a physical game against North Wagga and he copped one in the leg," co-coach Brad Aiken said.

"Cooper's a young fella and we've got a duty of care to look after our young players. Him not playing is disappointing because he's worked so hard to get back (after a broken collarbone) but missing one week and getting to play finals footy is a bigger picture."

If they beat Temora, the Magpies will finish third and go to a qualifying final against East Wagga-Kooringal.

The Hawks have one change for their game against CSU with highly-rated defender Nic Curran out. Coach Matt Hard said it is only illness and he needs the week off. Kieren McCarthy comes in.

EWK can't be shifted from second spot and the goal on Saturday is to maintain their improvement ahead of finals.

"It's probably been like that for a couple of weeks, we've had a top three spot sewn up the last couple of weeks," Hard said.

"We'll be playing a side in their last game of the year, they'll be up and about and having a crack... but we're in full preparation for what lies ahead."

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