A fifteen goal haul to Matt Walsh has seen him burst within sight of another 100-goal season and re-engage in the battle for the Golden Boot with the Souths' Paul Smith.
The Saints full forward was the centrepiece of his side's eventual mauling of the Cairns City Lions on Saturday.
They started slowly but accelerated in the second half to win 24.11(155) to 9.10(64) and retain second place. But that spot will go on the line this Saturday when Port travel to Griffiths Park, the winner claiming second place with one round remaining before finals.
Walsh's massive effort brings his season tally to 93 and within sight of his sixth 100-goal season, while Souths' Paul Smith kicked seven to take his aggregate to 96.
He kicked a couple of vital majors in the final quarter as the Cutters withstood a valiant Tigers 14.9(93) to 9.8(62).
Walsh will miss this weekend's blockbuster with Port though, leaving him with one game to kick the seven he requires. Likewise, Smith has just this weekend to reach the triple figures given South Cairns finish the season with a bye.
"I honestly don't focus on it, but the boys around me seem to," Walsh said of the potential milestone.
"I say that now that it isn't a big deal, but I guess when you look back later in life you'd like to say you got there."
The Golden Boot tussle with Smith is an entertaining one given their different styles and methods and whoever plays well at the pointy end of the season could decide the premiership.
"When he's on South's are hard to stop; when you have a good midfield like they do you need someone to finish it off," Walsh said. "And he's a big man who rarely gets beaten in a one-on-one."
While Souths have proven themselves as the top side this year, Walsh warned not to discount Port, who stretched their winning run to seven in a crushing result against Centrals Trinity Beach 31.22(208) to 4.4(28).
Walsh will attend a good mate's wedding this weekend, while captain Jesse Dixon (quad strain) is also expected to miss the game that in all likliehood will decide who finishes second and third.
"Port are the danger I think; they are on a roll at the moment," Walsh said.
But Walsh is not seeing it as a premiership-deciding match.
"We came from third to win it in 2009," he said.
Last Modified on 21/01/2015 14:26