CLAREMONT'S grip on sixth spot in the SFL goes on the line today when it hosts Dodges Ferry at Abbotsfield Park.
The Magpies had their six-match unbeaten run snapped by Lindisfarne last weekend and now need to bounce back against the third-placed Sharks.
While sitting a game clear in sixth from Huonville and Sorell, Claremont's poor percentage (76.07) and the fact the Lions have a game in hand means wins against sides around them on the ladder are now even more crucial.
Coach Ben Atkin is banking on getting several regular senior players back for today's clash after losing six a fortnight ago from the gutsy win over Central Hawks.
None will be handier than ruckman Gavin Hanlon, who will be up against one of the premier big men in the competition in Jamie Curran.
``Dodges got beaten by Kingborough the other week so if we can play to the best of our ability we should be a good chance,'' Atkin said.
``It's going to be pretty tight between ourselves, Huonville, Central Hawks and Kingborough, three of us will get a spot [in the finals] and one will miss out.
``We need to win games and can't afford to drop too many. We need to beat the sides around us if we are going to be any good in September anyway.''
When the two sides met in round three Dodges gave the Magpies a 51-point hiding but Atkin is confident his side has since bridged the gap.
Midfielders Dale Evans, Nathan Brown, Ashley Bennett and Cameron Bugg have all got some miles in the legs and all four will need to be firing if Claremont is to prevail.
``We had a lot of guys who didn't do much of a pre-season and were a bit underdone for the first three of four weeks.
``As the year has gone on we have picked up our match fitness and guys have been improving each week and we have improved since the start of the season.''
Another match this round that will affect ladder positions is between Kingborough and Huonville.
Because of the ground conditions at Kingston the Tigers will not get to host their Huon rivals, with the game transferred to Kermandie.
Despite missing six players to the Tasmanian under-23 team, New Norfolk will easily account for Brighton at Pontville, Triabunna hosts the Central Hawks and Lindisfarne heads to Cygnet.
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