BRENT GODDE: Peter Cook kicked seven last week after missing more than a month with a calf injury. Is his ability to shine on the big stage unrivalled in the TDFL?

PHIL PACKER: The stats don't lie. Cookie is so dangerous because of his ability to read the play better than most. Combined with his speed off the mark, strong hands as well as his ability to score from ground level, you soon see why he is such a tough match-up. Whoever gets first crack at the job will be relying on pressure from the midfield to stop the quick, direct delivery Cook thrives on. There has been plenty of quality forwards grace the Sandy Creek oval but history tells you the goals dry up and scoring becomes harder the further you progress into September.

IN OTHER NEWS

BG: Can Thurgoona afford to have Matt Fowler, Jake Bruce, Jesse Johnston and Aydan Brown all in attack with a fast deck expected at Sandy Creek on Saturday? If you had to drop one, who would it be?

PP: There's no doubt Dossie (Brett Doswell) would have had plenty of sleepless nights thinking about this. While Thurgoona boast plenty of quality options in attack, Dossie would be mindful or how fast and attacking Barnawartha can be on the rebound. My query is where's the forward pressure coming from? If I was forced to drop one of the big forwards, it's a tough call but maybe Fowler is in trouble?

BG: There is a widely held theory throughout the league that Thurgoona could be most vulnerable at Sandy Creek on a warm day because of a lack of leg speed. Do you agree?

PP: There's no doubt the remaining three teams believe that. What Barnawartha need to do is get the game on their terms. The Dogs are tough, big bodied and have class on every line. They rely heavily on O'Sullivan's body work around the stoppages to put the ball into their go to zones where their A-grade midfielders bullock through and get the ball forward. The more stoppages the better. The Tigers need to position well around the stoppages, especially defensively and spread quickly to the open spaces.

BG: Barnawartha were nursing some sore bodies after the qualifying final victory over Chiltern. Can the Tigers still win if either Josh Spence, Peter Cook, Tom Anson and Cameron McNeill miss with injury?

PP: That's the luxury of finishing on top and getting the week off. Finals are brutal and Thurgoona will test every Tiger player physically that steps on the ground. For Barnawartha to win it needs its best players not only playing but beating their opponents and influencing the match.

BG: Who are you tipping and why?

PP: It's Thurgoona for me in a tight on. The Dogs have more scoring options which could prove decisive. Doswell is a class above and expect him to lead by example.