YINNAR and Newborough will meet at Yallourn North on Saturday in a repeat of the qualifying final.
By their coach’s own admission the Bulldogs were given a “bit of a caning” last time they faced Yinnar and the side was “keen to make amends”.
Newborough coach Allan Chandler said he thought facing Yinnar for the second time in the finals series provided his team with an advantage.
“I think it probably makes it a bit easier. We got a really good insight into the way they play… we know how they want to play their footy,” Chandler said.
“We’ve just got to shut it down and play more good footy ourselves.
“If we can do that we’ve got another shot in another grand final and anything could happen.”
He said in order to get there the side needed to play their best football and individuals needed to step up to another level.
Yinnar suffered a disappointing loss to Mirboo North last week and also has an opportunity to avenge a bitter loss.
Both sides faced premiership disappointment last year; Yinnar was knocked out in the preliminary final and Newborough dropped the grand final.
Being so close again will ensure hunger and desperation from both sides and a closer match than earlier meetings is anticipated.
Players missing out on a senior berth will be consoled with the clubs also facing off in the reserves.
After a shock loss to Mirboo North last week Newborough’s reserves have a second chance to make the big one against Yinnar.
Thorpdale’s thirds will be confident having beaten Newborough by 50 points last time they met.
Either side will have a hard task ahead against Yarragon in the grand final, but both will be desperate for the challenge.
Mirboo North’s fourths will aim to join the senior and reserves teams in the grand final when they meet Yarragon this weekend.
The Panthers beat the Tigers both times in the home and away season, but by diminishing margins, and Mirboo North will be eager to see if it can make up the difference.
