Standing in its way will be Nirranda, the team it defeated in the grand final in 2017. 

Opposition A grade coaches, who have plotted against the Dogs and Blues this year, gave us an insight into how the flag could be decided.   

“Nirranda is the hot favourite. I know Dennington is going for four in a row but I think Nirranda losing last year will make them very determined to win.

“Dennington have some great players but I think Nirranda has a bit more high-end talent.

“It will be a cracking game but Nirranda will be a bit too polished.”

“Nirranda, I hope. Dennington has had their chance. Nirranda has a really strong team, I watched the last final they play against Dennington and after half-time they took control and handled the pressure much better.

Missy (Melissa Burt) has done a good job with Dennington. Steph Townsend is a great leader, she brings her girls along with her.”

“I think Nirranda will win, they have cooler heads and a good mix of experience and youth. Nirranda take the game on and have a good level of physicality with the way they play.”

“It’s a tough one, it could go either way. I am leaning towards Dennington, their experience might be what gets them over the line. They also have a few more combinations they can call on if things aren’t going to plan. But in saying all that, Nirranda will have a lot of motivation after losing last year.” 

“Based on what I have seen in the finals so far, Nirranda have a really settled side. They seem to have found a combination that works well together. Dennington has great versatility but in a way that may work against them, they may have too many options which mightn’t allow them to settle as well as Nirranda. It should be a really contested game and I’m looking forward to seeing it.”    

“I would like to see Nirranda win it. I think they are good enough, they just have to put four quarters together. They are very smart in the middle of the court and they don’t panic when they have the ball. They have developed nicely and have some steady heads. Steph Townsend has done a great job. But anything could happen, grand finals are completely different to other games.”

“It will be a great match, I’m really looking forward to watching it. I am picking Nirranda, I think they will have the upper hand in the mid-court. They are very quick in there. Steph Townsend will be important in goals, she’s a terrific player and her team really does feed off her energy.”

“Nirranda has been the best side for most of the season and they look pretty hungry. There won’t be much in it but I think Nirranda’s pace through the midcourt will give them the edge.” 

“I hope it is a tight contest, it’s always exciting to watch a close grand final. Both teams are really even but Nirranda is a bit quicker off the mark, that bit of extra pace with give them the edge. The midcourt battle will be crucial, Dennington will need to be really strong defensively.”