A top three traffic jam in the CAFL means must win games for double chance hopefuls

August has become a must-win month for Central Australian Football League double chance hopefuls Rovers, Federal and Pioneers as finals football looms large

Cameron Ilett will be back in the double blue of Rovers for the crucial Round 8 clash against Federal. Picture: Charlie Lowson

FINALS football has become the main focus of at least three CAFL clubs with a top two spot and the coveted double chance the main item on their agendas.

Only three rounds remain in a shortened 10-round season that has reigning premier Rovers, Federal and Pioneer locked on four wins.

Rovers have a superior percentage, but they are handicapped by a last round bye which may prove costly if they drop one of their two remaining games.

Double Blues coach Damien Hall wants the four points locked away on Saturday night after his side’s top-of-the-ladder clash with Federal at Traeger Park.

“We need the four points because we’ve got the bye in the last round and I expect the players to respond,’’ he told the NT News.

“We lost to Federal earlier in the season when they kicked a goal with about 40 seconds to go in a game that got away from us a bit and we want to fix that.’’

Hall will get Nightcliff’s dual premiership defender and Territory great Cameron Ilett back for the big game and Nigel Lockyer Jr is rated an 80 per cent chance to return from a fractured skol suffered in a Round 4 match.

“Nigel wants to play and has made himself available, but I’m just not convinced he is right to go,’’ Hall said.

Federal regains key on-baller Abe Ankers for the 3pm clash at headquarters.

Demons’ coach Dave Thomas said his side was yet to play its best football despite their flying start.

“You want to start playing your best footy straight away, but with so many changes we haven’t peaked yet,’’ he said.

Souths should have too much class for the young Wests side at Albrecht Oval.