Only a Souths miracle and a Pioneer thrashing of Wests will prevent a Rovers-Federal major semi final in the CAFL

No room for complacency at CAFL club Federal as they set their sights on a grand final qualifier against Rovers

Federal's Dominic Forbes is back in the Demons’ side for tomorrow’s final round clash against Souths. Picture: Charlie Lowson

FEDERAL coach Dave Thomas could be forgiven for treating tomorrow’s final round CAFL clash with Souths as a practice match.

Only a big loss to the Roos and a Pioneer annihilation of Wests in their game at Traeger Park will prevent Federal meeting Rovers in the September 5 second semi-final.

Next weekend (August 29-30) has been dedicated to the big Melbourne-St Kilda game at Traeger Park.

But Thomas wants to take some winning momentum into the finals with next week’s enforced bye because of the AFL match.

Key defender Dominic Forbes returns from a week off with general soreness to add experience and steel to the last line of defence.

“Dom’s pretty important for us back there with his ability to get the footy and do something with it and Dustin Oliver’s second game back will give us pace and skill around the ball,’’ Thomas said.

“Having said that Souths are a good side and our win over them this year was the first in a couple of seasons, so they know our game pretty well.’’

Souths boss Darren Talbot is resting four senior players with an eye on the elimination first semi-final in a fortnight’s time.

“Our approach into this weekend’s game won’t be any different to the last seven games we have played,’’ he said.

“We’re still going into the game with a young side that’s been holding up well over the last nine rounds, which is a credit to them and their character.’’

Darren Abbott, Liam McDonald, Sheldon Briscoe and Fabian Dickson will miss this week.

Pioneer should have too many guns for a Wests side beginning to find their feet.

The Hampton brothers (Curtly and Jamie), Jawoyn Cole-Manolis and Shawn Foster are all finding the football at the right end of the season in a big plus for the Eagles.