Blues swingman Tim O’Keeffe, a concreter, was hurt at work on Thursday, ruling him out of their showdown against Koroit.

O’Keeffe, 26, was one of three Warrnambool players preparing to play in his eighth consecutive decider.

Now only ruckman Andrew McCarthy and utility Angus Chirnside will hold that honour.

Warrnambool coach Scott Carter said O’Keeffe was a major loss.

“He shattered two fingers. He’ll go under the knife tomorrow or Saturday,” he said.

“It is disappointing but the main thing is that his welfare is OK and his hand is OK. That is more important than a game of football.”

O’Keeffe’s injury paves the way for Corey Gallichan to play his first senior grand final.

“I think he has played 18 of 21 games so far this year so he deserves his chance,” Carter said. 

McCarthy, 31, is humbled to have played a part in the Blues’ league-equalling eight-straight deciders.

“It’s a good effort I suppose but being at the right place at the right time helps,” McCarthy said. 

McCarthy – the second oldest in the Blues’ 21 – joined Warrnambool from Mininera club Hawkesdale-Macarthur at 17. 

He played in the Blues’ 2010, ‘12 and ‘13 flags.

“I was 26 when I won my first premiership, so it did take a little while,” he said.

“I think being 26 you appreciate the premiership a lot more.”

Warrnambool enters the grand final as underdog – a tag it has embraced.

The two sides have met in the past two deciders with the second semi-final loser coming up trumps both times.

“I look at us in 2013 and Koroit in 2014 and see that you can do it,” McCarthy said of an against-the-odds win.

“You can try a few different things because you have nothing to lose.

“We’re quietly confident. We have to make sure we’re in the game early and not get jumped.”

McCarthy, one of the competition’s best intercept marks, said he was eager to play a positive role in the decider after a solid season as the Blues’ leading ruckman.

Carter said McCarthy and Chirnside deserved their success.

"I think it is a fantastic achievement,” he said.

“I think it is a credit to their durability and also to their consistent form, to be up eight years in a row is a great effort.

“I also think it's a credit to their loyalty.”