Denmark-Walpole face a defining fortnight heading into the Great Southern Football League finals series

Denmark-Walpole co-coach Ryan Gaerth says the final two rounds of the Great Southern Football League season will be a huge test for his side heading into finals.

The Magpies face a defining fortnight which starts when they travel to Centennial Stadium this Saturday to face the undefeated Royals in round nine before hosting Railways in the last round of the season.

The improved Magpies have won three games in a row but will face their toughest two challenges without star ruckman Shayne Zanetti who remains in doubt for the rest of the season.

“It is going to be a pretty good test the next few weeks,” Gaerth said.

“We will take confidence out of last week, we played a pretty good four-quarter game. We have won three in a row now and we haven’t done that for a while.

“Hopefully we can back it up and carry on our form into the next two weeks and finals.”

The next two matches will determine who finishes in second spot and host a home semifinal, a position the Magpies currently hold on to.

“It would be very handy to have a home final,” Gaerth said.

“It might depend on the Railways and Sharks game this week with percentage, and then come down to our clash with Railways.

“Hopefully we can hang onto second spot, it would be nice to have a home final.”

The Lions will be looking to extend their unbeaten streak against the Magpies who Gaerth confirmed would be without key trio Zanetti, Dionne Woods and Ash Smith.

However tall utility Hendrix Ropiha will play his first game for the season for the Magpies.

“It’s going to be a tough clash they are a very good side,” he said.

“We will need to be switched on and put pressure on the ball.

“We just need to keep playing how we have been, which has been a good brand.”

The Tigers host Albany on Sunday while Mt Barker and North Albany do battle at Sounness Park on Saturday.