There are two positives for Otago as it heads into the business end of the season.
The side is in second place, a full 16 points behind runaway leader Wellington in the Mitre 10 Cup Championship.
Otago could still conceivably miss out on post-season action as there are four teams chasing three spots.
Manawatu, Northland, Bay of Plenty and Otago are hunting down the placings behind Wellington.
Otago is on 21 points, the sameas Manawatu, but it is better placed than the Turbos as it won the game between the teams.
Manawatu has three games left while the other teams have two matches to play.
Over the years in the Championship, teams which have won four games have done enough to make the playoffs. That may not apply this year as bonus points are going to play a big part.
Otago has won just three games so far. But the blue and golds have the added bonus of bagging nine bonus points.
The team has gained a bonus point in every game and two in the close loss to Canterbury in August.
The best thing for Otago is it is in control of its destiny.
It does not have to rely on other teams winning or losing to get into the playoffs.
Otago also has the advantage of playing its final two playoff games at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Bay of Plenty comes calling on Saturday afternoon, followed by Southland on October 14.
Otago wants not only to qualify for the playoffs but also gain home advantage for the semifinals.
Wellington has qualified top, so Otago will be looking to finish second.
It could miss out, though, if it loses both of its last two games. It should get through with one win but that would lead to the side having to rely on other teams.
Manawatu has the advantage of having a game in hand but the midweek fixture is not easy - it has to take on Taranaki in New Plymouth on October 11.
Manawatu plays Counties-Manukau on Thursday and finishes with a game in Palmerston North against Hawke's Bay. This will be the final game of the regular season, so Manawatu will know exactly what it will have to do before taking the field.
Bay of Plenty is on 18 points and, with four teams in front of it, will probably need to win both of its games.
It finishes with a home game against Waikato, which will not be easy, as the Mooloos are in a relegation scrap.
Otago has not had the easiest of draws, having had to play three of the top four teams in the Premiership.
Bay of Plenty, on the other hand, has not had to play North Harbour, Canterbury or Tasman, all teams in the top four of the Premiership.
Manawatu and Northland have also both avoided Canterbury in crossover games.