The Tigers blitzed Creek to score an efficient 20.15 (135) to 2.1 (13) victory in wet weather on Saturday.

Timms, who has had a look at all the sides in the competition, said the Tigers were serious contenders.

"I think after playing every club, Merrivale is the smokey," he said.

"I think they can go real deep into the finals."

The Creek mentor was impressed by the Tigers' hunger on Saturday.

"They play with the want, they gel together," he said.

"They are well structured and well coached."

Timms said usual suspects Nirranda and Kolora-Noorat were the other teams vying for the ultimate success.

Tigers playing coach Jason Rowan said things were coming together for his team after a couple of tough seasons.

He said the third-placed Tigers had got plenty of games into youngsters and had managed to get Hampden league talent back to the club.

Rowan said mid-season recruits Blair McCutcheon, Tate Porter and Jalen Porter had complemented the team well in the midfield.

"The boys are having a lot of fun," he said.

MORE FOOTBALL:

Meanwhile, the under 18s match between the two clubs was cancelled at about the halfway point.

Russells Creek player Ehab Khanyari was taken by ambulance to hospital.

Timms said the youngster was recovering after copping a knock to his head in a contest.

"All the scans have come back clear, he's just got a few muscle injuries," he said.

Timms said a precautionary approach was taken to the incident and the game was shutdown for 20 to 30 minutes.

The certain amount of time allowed for a pause was reached and the match was called off.

Merrivale got off to firing start in the senior match, kicking nine goals to one in the first half.

Rowan said a solid start was all part of the plan.

"We had a big emphasis on using the footy well while we had the dry weather early," he said.

Rowan said half-back James Fary was best on ground.

"He's having a great year, he's been getting a few quality opposition forwards each week," he said.

Rowan said Fary was nullifying the influence of his opponents and providing the Tigers with drive off half-back.

Both Kyden Jarvis and Rowan kicked a bag of goals in the victory.

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.