An unpredictable weekend of results saw the lower-ranked sides book spots in the decider, while favourites Killarney and Grassmere were left scratching their heads.

There have been plenty of upsets since the 2008-09 season – the last finals series recorded online.  

Fourth-placed Grassmere took out minor premiers Killarney in 2014, before the tables were turned on them by Purnim two years later. 

Killarney also punched above its weight in 2015 and 2017 by defeating second-placed Purnim and Grassmere after finishing third in both seasons.

Buks skipper Tyson Umbers is aware of this historical significance.

But Umbers, 23, points out that neither Yambuk nor Hawkesdale took the Steven Bradbury-route to the grand final. 

His side had to win to six games on the trot to make the decider while Hawkesdale snuck past Panmure into the finals only after recording an outright win over Mailors Flat in the final round. 

"Both sides worked hard to get here and deserve their opportunity," Umbers said. 

The Cats' bowling attack was his opponent's most threatening asset, Umbers said, with skipper Lachie Glare recording 8-74 in against Woolsthorpe in round four, while James North took a decisive 4-18 against Grassmere in the semi-final. 

"They'll put it on the spot all day and make it hard for us," the plasterer said.

Hawkesdale's top order, he added, including Murray Habel, Harrison Cozens and Daniel Roache, could also cause serious headaches.

But the Buks have their own weapons – Umbers' brother, Connor, 19, took 5-25 against Killarney, while Christo Rook also brings top form into the grand final after scoring 83 runs last week.

Umbers said winning the flag would cap off an incredible change of fortune for the Buks, who finished second-last last season. 

"It would just be icing on the cake for those boys who stuck around," he said.