The Magpies’ six wins have come against teams in the lower echelon of the ladder.

They sixth-placed outfit, sitting one game outside the five, plays fourth-ranked Port Fairy at Leura Oval on Saturday.

The ramifications are not lost on Camperdown coach Phil Carse, whose dream run as first-year Pies mentor ended at the hands of Port Fairy in round five.

“Our season is essentially on the line,” he said.

“We’d still be a mathematical chance (if we lost).

“But we’re a chance to at least go level on games with Port Fairy.

“We haven’t been able to beat one of the top sides this season and we want to do that before the end of the season.”

Carse said Port Fairy was brimming with confidence, having pushed flag fancy Koroit last round.

He said shutting down their run and negating their forward options would be vital to the Magpies’ chances.

“They are the form side of the competition now,” he said.

“They’ve got a lot of respect for what they have been doing.

“We think they are a good side at moving the football quickly.

“The wet weather will slow it up and clog it up a bit.”

Camperdown is pleased with the development of its teenage players as it looks to shore up its long-term future.

Henry Bradshaw (nine games) and Henry Green (five) have impressed Carse.

“There is not much of them at the moment – they wouldn’t weigh over 60 kilos – but they’re very exciting,” he said.

“We’ve enjoyed giving them a taste of senior footy.

“They’re already solid players and we think they’re going to be rippers in the future.

“The last couple of weeks they’ve played back (in the under 18s).

“They’ve had pinch-hitting roles for us but they’ve gone back and been leaders in the under 18s.”

Port Fairy boosted its line-up at the selection table, welcoming VFL-listed utility Jackson Hollmer back.

The Geelong veteran is expected to spend the remainder of the home-and-away campaign helping the Gardens Oval club book its first finals berth since 2005.

Geelong is out of VFL finals contention, giving the Cats a chance to play their young players and prepare for 2016.

Hollmer overcame a shoulder injury in the pre-season and made his return via Port Fairy against Camperdown.

It was his only game for the Seagulls to date this season.

He’s played nine state league matches but was eager to don Seagulls’ colours again.

Port Fairy also brought in tall timber Robbie Hare and Jonathan Proud after the pair overcame minor injuries.

The Seagulls are still without four of their best 21 – Sam McCartney (calf), Mason Crosier (hamstring), Adam McCosh (groin) and Dylan Gunning (ankle) – giving coach Brett Evans plenty to work with on the run home.

“It is a big game for both clubs really,” he said.

“They have to beat us to keep finals alive, the way I see it, and we don’t want to give up our position either.

“It is very tough at Camperdown as well. 

“We’re not taking them lightly for one minute.”