With three home-and-away rounds remaining, East Warrnambool YCW and Nirranda are sitting first and second in division two, with both teams a chance to be promoted to the top grade if they win the premiership next month.

East president Peter Baulch said while playing division one was the club’s aim, the ladder leaders were not getting too far ahead of themselves.

“We’re not thinking we’re just going to win the flag and go up,” he said.

“We’re just taking it one game at a time.

“We’ve got Nirranda this weekend which will be a very vital game.

“We’ve got a lot of respect for them so it will be good to see how we’re doing at this stage of the season.”

Rounding out the top four in division two is Merrivale and Wesley CBC, while Allansford is fifth.

The three teams would not get promoted if they won the premiership because their respective clubs already have a division one side.

Baulch said that if East Warrnambool — which has climbed to top spot under the guidance of captain-coach Dan Oakley — did win the flag, it would meet the WDCA’s criteria to earn promotion.

Promotion is based on a points system and includes on-field and off-field elements such as commitment to juniors, having a turf wicket available and being financially sound.

Association general manager Andrew Sloane confirmed this week that if a club which is eligible for promotion wins the division two premiership, it will join the top grade, which would force a division one side to be demoted.

Relegation is also based on the points system and includes taking into account a club’s performance across several grades over a two-year period.