Magpies coach Phil Carse and his team plotted the Saints’ downfall in the second semi-final at Portland’s narrow Hanlon Park two weeks ago.

But the fourth-year mentor knows containing the four-time reigning premier on Reid Oval’s wide expanses on a calm day will be tricky.

“You know Koroit always brings a really highly-skilled game to the table and they take the game on with their kicking; they use the ball exceptionally well,” Carse said.

“It will be a challenge for us to try and nullify that. The midfield battle will be crucial with Sam Cunnington, Jesse Gallichan, Cam Spence and Fraser Lucas against Liam Hoy, Brett Harrington and Taylor Mulraney."

Koroit coach Chris McLaren said the space would help his players.

“There’s no doubt we like to play on a slightly bigger ground,” he said.

“But it will be harder for us to defend them too because they have good pace in their side.”

Carse said there would also be defining one-on-one match-ups.

Reliable Magpie Mitch Danahay is expected to play a lock-down role on Saint playmaker Tim McIntyre, Magpie forward Nick Bateman will battle unassuming Saints full-back Tim McPherson and Pies key position defender Brendan Richardson is likely to get league leading goal-kicker Jarrod Korewha.

“We’ve got to be wary of Todd McLean and the way he plays across half-back too,” Carse said.

“He tries to chop off forward entries.”

McLaren said the Magpies had game-changers all over the ground.

“Bateman is a good forward target for them and him and McPherson will be a good battle,” he said.

“Luke Mahony in the forward line plays tall and small and through the midfield there’s Spence, Lucas and Riley Arnold and their wingers have had good years in Matthew Field and Charlie Lucas.

“Carse plays off the half-back line a bit and then there’s Jack Williams and Jason Robinson.”

Carse is now living in Sanctuary Lakes and working for Mahonys Transport three days a week at its Melbourne office.

He works at its Terang base on Tuesdays and Thursdays to ensure he can make football training.

“The last four or five weeks with the club in finals I have put it (talks about next season) on the backburner and focused on the task at hand,” Carse said.

“We’ll finish Saturday night and it will be a time to reflect on it all and I will start making decisions next week.”

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