But while there's life, there's hope.

Maitland provided that live chance with a remarkable comeback to score two late goals and beat Edgeworth 2-1 on Saturday.

The result kept Edgeworth five points from Magic, who had the bye. The Eagles have the bye this week then one more chance for points, against Rosebud.

Magic need to defeat a desperate Charlestown Azzurri and Lambton Jaffas to have any chance of overhauling Edgeworth for top spot.

Richards believed the Eagles would beat Adamstown to secure the premiership but he said Maitland's dramatic win had changed their plans heading into the finals.

"If Maitland had lost the game and Edgeworth had won the premiership, we were going to rest a few boys," Richards said. "But now there's still a slight chance, we better have a crack at it.

"Charlestown's going really well though and we've got a lot to do to win a premiership, but we're still in the mix, so you never know."

He said David Ifield and Jon Griffiths (groin injuries) should be back for Sunday's clash with Azzurri at Lisle Carr Oval. Jeremy Wilson is out for another week.

Magic, meanwhile, gained a boost with the re-signing of senior players James and Luke Virgili, Matt Hoole and Griffiths, as well as Mitch Rooke, who has been a revelation on debut at the club.

While Edgeworth and Magic battle for the premiership, Azzurri are locked in a six-way battle for the three spots left in the finals.

Maitland (19 points), Jaffas (18), Olympic and Azzurri (both 17) look set to fight it. Valentine and Weston can finish on 18 points and mathematically still make the finals, but their hopes suffered major blows on the weekend. Azzurri beat Weston 1-0 and Valentine drew 2-2 with Adamstown.

Azzurri coach Graham Law believed Weston and Valentine were effectively out of the race and his in-form side, who had one point after four rounds, could finish as high as third. They face last-placed Lake Macquarie in the last round.

"It changes it for us," Law said after the win on Sunday.

"We're not taking Lakes lightly because they beat us last time but if you said to us after the first four games, that we'd go to Lakes to have to win to make the finals, you would have grabbed it.

"If we beat Magic at home next week, we're playing Lakes to potentially finish third. But if you get too far ahead of yourself, it generally bites you on the arse, so we'll be concentrating on Magic."

Azzurri skipper Matt Tull will miss the rest of the regular season after he was given a two-game ban on Tuesday. Tull copped two bookings on Sunday for his second send-off of the year.