A niggling back injury sustained last year is likely to keep her sidelined for the showdown against Merrivale.

But she is still determined to play an important role in the contest.

"I just want to be a part of it," Dannatt said.

"I've had the injury all season so I've been the eighth player.

"It's really difficult to just sit there but I see how well the girls are going, they've had an awesome season.

"The only thing I can do is provide positive support for the girls."

Dannatt admitted she had not allowed enough time for her back to recover.

The desire to be involved with the tight-knit A grade group has outweighed the physical ailment.

"My back is just not settling," she said.

Despite the risk of re-injury, the 28-year-old has contributed to nine games this season.

The versatile player has been rotated in goals, defence and the midcourt.

"I've played all over the court," she said.

"I just step in for whoever is missing.

"We have so much depth in our team, a lot of us can slot into different positions."

East Warrnambool and Merrivale's head-to-head figures fail to reveal a favourite for this weekend's decider.

The two sides drew in their first encounter, the Tigers got up by two goals in the next and the Bombers stole the first ticket to the grand final by a goal in the second semi-final.

But Dannatt said Merrivale's loss of injured playing-coach Emily Batt could give East an advantage.

"It's been tight all season," she said.

"(The absence of) Emily Batt is definitely going to hurt them but that's netball, injuries happen.

"We just need to play our own game."

The mother of two is realistic about her chances of taking the court.

"We've spoken about it and I've just said that if it's not working I'll be happy to come on," she said.

"But if it's working, why change it?"