BRENT GODDE: Barnawartha coach Peter Cook is a renowned September specialist. Can he have the same impact this finals series considering he has been out since round 14 with a calf complaint?

PHIL PACKER: There's little doubt Cookie can still be a match winner. The query is coming straight into a high pressure final first-up. We played Barnawartha last week on a beautiful Mitta ground, bathing in sunshine. Most of our back six were missing, so it would have been the perfect situation for him to play and find some touch. That tells me maybe he's not right?

BG: Chiltern lured Mark Doolan out of retirement after it became apparent it was going to make finals. Doolan has only played three matches and has struggled with soft tissue injuries. Can the Swans afford to roll the dice and pick him on the weekend?

PP: 'Doogs' (Doolan) is a quality player and therefore will always have to be respected with a quality opponent. There's no use owning a Rolls Royce if you are never going to drive it. If he does play you would think he would play deep to use his strength and footy nous to kick goals or at least provide crumbs. But if he does stay deep the big question is how does it work with Whitehead? Ricky's had an outstanding season but isn't a natural lead up forward and like's to play deep as well.

IN OTHER NEWS

BG: Chiltern have surprised most pundits by finishing second on the ladder. Do you rate the Swans as legitimate flag contenders or have they merely capitalised on a friendly draw?

PP: They have beaten Thurgoona, Kiewa-Sandy Creek and Tallangatta so there's no doubt the Swans are the real deal.

BG: There is little doubt Ricky Whitehead has an outstanding season. But can you see the Swans kicking a winning score against quality opposition if 'Slick Rick' is held to four goals or under?

PP: 'Big Slick' doesn't haven't to dominate for the Swans to win. The one thing with Whitehead is he is never going to be out-marked one-on-one and will at least bring the ball to ground. It's up to the crumbers to capitalilse.

BG: Who are you tipping to win and why?

PP: Chiltern and Barnawartha rely on their run and carry from defence and quick entry into attack. Both teams can concede goals to tall targets like a resting ruckman or someone that's strong overhead but equally can kick goals quickly and ruthlessly. Josh Spence is the Tigers trump card. He's so hard to match-up on with his work rate of leading up and drifting back. His marking and goal kicking ability is as good as there is in the league. Both teams have strong midfields and wingers they rely on heavily to carry the workload and have a good mix of experienced, tough bodies and youthful run. My tip is going to be Tigers in a close one with their mult-pronged attack the difference.