Richmond's Lachlan Street celebrates a goal with teammates in the VFL,round three, 2021. Picture: AFL Photos

FOOTY continues in Victoria this week, with six VFL matches being scheduled as the finals race heats up.

While the Queensland clubs unfortunately remain off the park in round 17, there will be five games on Saturday and one on Sunday, with three finals contenders and two top-four hopes facing must-win matches across the weekend.

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Every game this weekend has ramifications for the finals with just three weeks remaining until the business end of the season, headed by the Princes Fwy derby between Werribee and Geelong at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday afternoon.

The Tigers need to win to stay in contention for the top eight, while the Cats will be desperate to stay in touch with the top four, making for what should be a classic showdown.

Werribee players leave the field after a win in round three, 2021. Picture: AFL Photos

Williamstown will kick off the weekend seeking to stay in touch with the four and consolidate its spot in the eight with a danger match against Carlton at Ikon Park on Saturday morning, while Collingwood will start clear favourites to tip Frankston out of the top eight against Port Melbourne at ETU Stadium.

Richmond will hope to keep the chance of a miracle alive when it faces North Melbourne at the Swinburne Centre, and Sandringham needs a huge victory over Coburg at Piranha Park to resurrect its own chances.

The only game on Sunday will see the Casey Demons look to bounce back after its fadeout against Footscray last week, with a win against the Northern Bullants essential to its hopes of staying in the top four by the end of the season.

Ten teams have a bye this week as the VFL aims to get every team to 12 games by the end of Round 19.

The remainder of the competition is still to be determined and will be a week-to-week proposition pending government restrictions around the country.

ROUND 17

SATURDAY, AUGUST 7

Carlton v Williamstown (IKON Park) 10.30am
Port Melbourne v Collingwood (ETU Stadium) 1pm
Coburg v Sandringham (Piranha Park) 1pm
Richmond v North Melbourne (Swinburne Centre) 1.05pm
Werribee v Geelong (Avalon Airport Oval) 2.05pm

SUNDAY, AUGUST 8

Casey Demons v Northern Bullants (Casey Fields) 12.05pm

BYE
Aspley, Box Hill Hawks, Brisbane Lions, Essendon, Footscray, Frankston, Gold Coast, GWS, Southport, Sydney 

VFL MATCHES COMPLETED (TARGET: 12)

11 – Frankston, GWS
10 – Aspley, Box Hill Hawks, Brisbane Lions, Coburg, Essendon, Footscray, Gold Coast, North Melbourne, Northern Bullants, Richmond, Southport, Sydney
9 – Carlton, Casey Demons, Collingwood, Geelong, Port Melbourne, Sandringham, Werribee, Williamstown

Twitter: @BRhodesVFL

Email: brendan.rhodes@afl.com.au

Keep track of your VFL team via our all new VFL Match Centre, which features live scores, team and player stats, match timeline, events summary and even Fantasy points. Check it out here.

This weekend let’s Band Together with TAC. We all have someone to drive safely for.