While Thurgoona will start deserved favourites in Saturday’s decider at Sandy Creek, the Bulldogs are far from the certainties many would have you believe.

That might sound strange given they hammered the Blues by 88 points in the second semi-final but I think the teams’ meeting in round 15 – which Mitta United won by four goals – gives a truer indication of what we can expect on the weekend.

The Blues played Wodonga Saints in the final round and then had the first week of the finals off as minor premiers, which I think contributed to their sluggish performance in the second semi.

There’s no way the likes of Tyson Gorupic, Nathan Reynoldson, Craig Lieschke and Daniel Stewart will let that happen again.

There are cracking match-ups all over the park, which I think sets up an enthralling grand final.

Both sides have a terrific spread of goalkickers with Darcy Eaton, Lieschke, Reynoldson and Alex Beggs sure to ask plenty of questions of the Thurgoona defence.

On the flip side, Todd Miller, Jake Bruce, Sam Cross and Matt Fowler form a potent Bulldogs attack which looks even better when you throw in Jayden Kotzur’s ability to push forward.

Kotzur is the best player in the competition and, along with Ben Lloyd, when he gets time and space, can cut you to ribbons.

Kotzur and Lloyd benefit big-time from the bullocking work of Aydan Brown, who creates a path for the pair to pump the ball forward.

Brown was one of the best defenders in the Ovens and Murray in his younger days but I absolutely love the way he goes about it in the midfield in the Tallangatta and District league.

Thurgoona has blown both Mitta United and Rutherglen away early in their two finals this year and if the Blues are to be a chance of winning on Saturday, they must be close at quarter-time.

But the Bulldogs smacked my Cats three times this year and, on that basis, it would be rude of me to pick against them.

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