BARNAWARTHA has stormed into its first grand final since 2013 after scoring a comprehensive 32 point preliminary final win over Kiewa Sandy Creek at Sandy Creek on Saturday.
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The Tigers will meet raging flag favourite Thurgoona in next week's decider after scoring a 11.10 (76) to 5.14 (44) victory in wet and windy conditions.
Barnawartha will be chasing its first premiership since breaking an 11-year premiership drought in 2013 under coach Mark Sarau.
It was a bitterly disappointing end for the Hawks who struggled all year to capture the form that saw them win the flag last season.
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Jubilant Tiger coach Peter Cook lauded the performance of his players who rebounded strongly after proving no match for the Bulldogs the previous week.
Cook said the bruising one point victory over Chiltern in the qualifying final in the opening week of the finals series had taken a toll.
"We put everything into the win over Chiltern in that first final," Cook said.
"Both sides ended up with some sore bodies and it was reflected in the results last weekend with both sides well below their best.
"To be any chance against Thurgoona, you have to be full-strength.
"Today was the first time we have been full-strength this season and I really couldn't fault the effort.
"I thought we short-changed ourselves when we had the wind in the first quarter.
"But we were able to break even in the second quarter and then really grab the ascendancy with the wind in the third."
The Tigers welcomed back Tom Anson (concussion) and Connor Wiffen (hand) who missed the previous week.
The Hawks looked the better side in the first-half with Jake Hicks, Callum Turner and Michael Thompson creating plenty of opportunities for their forwards.
But the defending premier was wasteful in front of goals and booted 3.9 to 4.3 in the first-half.
With the match still up for grabs, Tiger match-winner Josh Spence proved to be the difference.
Spence booted three goals for the term and five for the match in an outstanding display.
Ryan Lempa, Adam Elias and Seamus Quinn were also influential.
Cook said he was looking forward to taking on the Bulldogs with a full-strength side.
"Every time we have played Thurgoona the gap has narrowed," he said.
"The first time was 71, then 65 and then 31 last week.
"So we have still got a bit to make up but we are heading in the right direction."
