The Hawks will clash with the in-form Lions this Sunday at Finley in the first semi-final for the right to play in the preliminary final.

Cooper tore apart The Road booting eight goals in a half of football last week before sitting out the second-half and the Hawks will employ John O’Dwyer to attempt to quell the star.

Lions coach Chris Kennedy knows it’s never an easy task against the Hawks and is looking for athletic ruckman Justin McCabe to make his mark.

“We watched them last week and it’s going to be a tough game, we’ve had two good games with them and they’ve won one and we’ve won one,” Kennedy said.

“Justin is a key for us; he basically plays as another onballer.

“We just need to be accountable and keep plenty of pressure on the contest.”

McCabe will be squaring off against star ruckman Martin Brooks who is the Hawks best and fairest winner.

Youngster Tyrone Downie and Chris Shulz are two players Kennedy is wary of after they provided plenty of run in the Hawks big win over Numurkah last week.

Hawks full-forward Marcus Abney-Hastings is sitting equal third on the goal-kicking charts and is likely to be manned up by Glen Coghlan who is enjoying his new role in defence.

In the other big match Nathalia will fight it out with Echuca United on Saturday at Tocumwal for the right to play in the grand final.

The Purples have enjoyed an excellent year only losing two games in the home and away season and will require their A-grade game against the equally impressive Eagles.

The Purples beat the Eagles by 39 points last time with Adam Quarrell and Drew Barnes their best.

Brendon Parker will be the man the Eagles will have to stop with the star full-forward topping the goal-kicking and the only player to crack the century of goals this season.

The Eagles will be hoping Duane Hueston, Liam Guinan, Guy Campbell and Anthony Baker can all keep up their match-winning form.