With just four rounds of the 2021 NRL premiership remaining, the race for the last two semi-final spots is heating up - with as many eight teams still a mathematical chance.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
As such, the play of numerous South Coast products loom as key factors a to whether or not their respective clubs will be playing finals footy this season.
In the mix is Pambula-born Jack Williams and his Sharks, who currently sit in 10th on 18 points.
This Sunday, they take on the ninth-placed Knights, coached by Batemans Bay's Adam O'Brien, at Redcliffe's Moreton Daily Stadium - with the winner going a long way to securing their finals spot.
Also in the mix are the Gold Coast Titans, who sit in seventh on 20 points, alongside eighth-placed Canberra (who play former Shellharbour Shark Chris Lewis, Bega's Dale Finucane and their Storm side on Thursday night).
On Saturday, the Titans, coached by Milton-Ulladulla's Justin Holbrook, battle the Rabbitohs at Cbus Super Stadium, with the latter's side featuring Nowra-born Cody Walker at five-eighth.
Further back is the 11th-placed Dragons (18 points), who will lock horns with the Panthers on Friday at Suncorp Stadium.
During the round 22 fixture, the Red V will be without Gerringong's Tariq Sims, who is suspended for a careless high tackle on Raiders winger Harley Smith-Shields.
But St George Illawarra's squad contains Albion Park-Oak Flats' Adam Clune at six and Gerringong's Jackson Ford on the interchange.
Sitting two points further back are the Warriors, headlined by Shellharbour's Euan Aitken and Milton-Ulladulla's Jack Murchie, who will face the Bulldogs on Sunday at Moreton Daily Stadium - with Tathra's Adam Elliott named to start in the latter's back-row.
Just behind the Warriors and still in the finals race are the Tigers and Cowboys, who will battle one another at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday.
In other games during women in league round, Moruya's Rhys Kennedy and his Broncos will host the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium on Friday.
The tri-colours side has named Park's Drew Hutchison at six, while Kiama's Josh Morris (hamstring) is out and unlikely to return before the finals.
Then on Saturday, Gerringong's Reuben Garrick and his Sea Eagles lock horns with the Eels, coached by Batemans Bay's Brad Arthur, at Sunshine Coast Stadium.