THERE will be more than a spot in the grand final up for grabs when Barnawartha and Thurgoona clash in the second semi-final on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
An interesting sideshow will be the clash and bragging rights between Tigers coach Peter Cook and Dogs key defender Kane Westlow.
Cook joined Westlow's business, KW Roofing, shortly after Christmas as a sales representative and site manager.
"Kane might be my boss but hopefully I'm in charge for a couple of hours on Saturday," Cook joked.
IN OTHER NEWS
The pair played on each other during last years finals series with Cook taking the honours in the qualifying final after booting five goals.
Cook enhanced his reputation as the Tigers' Mr September after he booted seven goals against Chiltern in the qualifying final last weekend.
Adding further merit to the performance Cook had missed the previous five weeks with a calf complaint.
Westlow said he was likely to get first crack at what has become one of the toughest jobs in the league.
"There's a good chance I will start on Cookie," he said.
"He kicked five on me during the finals last year so I'm keen to seek a bit of revenge.
"Cookie loves the big stage and he is hard to stop once he gets his confidence up.
"Last week proved that when he kicked seven despite not playing for more than a month.
"We are fully aware of what he brings and if we can curb his influence, it will go a long way to being the first side to book a spot in the grand final."
Thurgoona are expected to have a full list to choose from after finishing with the minor premiership and having the benefit of a week off.
In contrast, several key Tigers are in a race against time to be fit for the clash after a bruising qualifying final against Chiltern.
Cook (lower back), Cameron McNeill (thigh), Tom Anson (shoulder) all looked sore after the final siren last Saturday.
Anson is the most likely of the trio to miss after he didn't reappear after coming off mid-way through the third-quarter.
The Tigers are set to welcome back ruckman Adam Elias who missed the qualifying final.
His battle with veteran Dog Jamarl O'Sullivan is set to have a huge influence on the outcome.
The Dogs will start favourites after winning both encounters this season by 71 and 65 points.
Interestingly Cook didn't play on both occasions.
Trump card Josh Spence also missed the second round clash.
Rumours spread that Spence could have played but the Tigers rested their star forward in some cat and mouse tactics.
