FORMER Howlong coach Beau Packer has had his finger on the pulse throughout the Hume league finals series. In his final column of the season, he dissects Saturday's grand final with The Border Mail's BRETT KOHLHAGEN
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BK: How much self-belief would Osborne have gained from its second-half performance against Culcairn in the preliminary final?
BP: To overcome a big deficit the way they did will make them believe they are in with a big sniff. They will come into this game as underdogs which will sit well with them wanting to be the "Hunters" and hitting the Saints with heaps of pressure.
BK: Sam Livingstone was outstanding on the ball late. Do you think they might keep him in there this week instead of playing in defence?
BP: For Osborne to be any chance against the strong BB Saints midfield they will need to keep Sammy around the ball as much as possible. He was a contested beast last week and really provided the spark for Osborne to turn it around.
BK: Nico Sedgwick had the better of Izaak McDonnell a fortnight ago. Will the Tigers go with the same tag?
BP: Nico is such a hard player to keep quiet with the way he attacks the ball. He is so evasive and breaks away from stoppages at speed so it will take more than one player to limit his impact. If McDonnell goes to him he will need to take him off his line at stoppages so Matty Seiter can't put it straight down his throat.
BK: Hayden Gleeson is almost 40 and still going strong for Osborne. What are you expecting from him?
BP: Hayden has been a great player for Osborne and played a big role in some previous premiership wins. I'd say his main role early will be keeping the young Tigers composed with plenty of talk and leadership. Whether he is playing down back or pinch-hitting in the ruck he will give great effort for his club in what may be his swansong.
BK: They say grand finals are often won and lost by the bottom five or six players on each side. Who bats deeper in this match?
BP: Both teams have a great amount of depth in their lists which is evident with both clubs having reserves teams in the grand final. In saying that I've said all year that Brock-Burrum have the best list with match winners on every line.
BK: Who wins and why?
BP: BB Saints for me. With some experienced campaigners and class on every line they should bring it home. They are the reigning premiers and were the best team for the majority of the home and away season.
