Peter Cook has been the Tigers’ wildcard in the finals series, kicking 19 goals in big wins over Kiewa-Sandy Creek and Rutherglen.

After bags of 12 and seven in the opening two rounds of the post-season, Cook will be looking to fire for the third week in a row when the Tigers take on minor premier Mitta United in the preliminary final at Sandy Creek on Saturday.

Increasing work commitments meant Cook only played his first senior match for the season in round 14 but he has been a key component of the Tigers’ forward line since then, kicking 41 goals in seven matches.

So what’s the secret ingredient to his rich vein of form?

“I am eating a lot healthier and have stopped drinking alchohol, which, along with getting to training, has probably been a big catalyst in finding a bit of form,” he said.

“With work earlier in the year, I was travelling away, doing 12-14-hour days and I couldn’t make it to training.

“Ever since June I’ve been able to train two nights a week and that’s made a big difference.”

The former Ovens and Murray under-18 best and fairest winner has lost 10-12kg with his new liquid breakfast diet and only “cheats” one day a week, which is after training on a Thursday night.

Cook, who kicked a century of goals for the Tigers in 2011, will form a three-pronged attack with Jordan Wolff and Josh Spence against the Blues as the Tigers look to emulate their 2013 effort of making the grand final from fifth spot.

“That ground out there, it’s special, it lifts everyone’s game,” he said.

“The Tallangatta league has always been a tight league, all you have to do is make the five because history shows anyone can win it once you’re in there.

“We’ve got a healthy squad at the moment so it’s just about hitting your straps at the right time of year.”

While Barnawartha’s strength may lay in its potent forward set-up, Mitta United can lay claim to having one of the best defensive units in the competition.

With showers forecast for the rest of the week, Cook, Wolff and Spence will have their work cut out against the likes of Jarrod and Sam Gorupic, Josh Lieschke, Daniel Stewart and Liam Tobin.

Mitta United coach Simon Hillier said the Blues were desperate to bounce back after last week’s second semi-final thumping at the hands of Thurgoona.

“It didn’t go the way anyone would’ve predicted or we wanted but one of the benefits of finishing on top is you get that double chance,” he said.

Blues star Nathan Reynoldson will front the tribunal on Thursday night after being reported for striking Bulldog Josh Lloyd.