A GOOD, old fashion test of strengths will determine who secures this year's Warrnambool and District league premiership, according to the opposing coaches.
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Kolora-Noorat's Ben Walsh enters his second grand final as a player but his first as mentor, while Nirranda counterparts Shane Threlfall and Shane Quick have led their side to three of the past four grand finals.
It will be the first time the two country powerhouses will lock horns in the league's deciding match and both are aware of what the other can do if let loose.
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"They are a very good side, they are very skillful, use the ball well and they are very quick," Threlfall said of the Power's strengths.
"They'll play to their strengths and we'll play to ours. We have some strong bodies, who really hunt the footy, and the contested ball is always one of our strengths.
"But we've also got some good guys who use the ball well so we believe we've got a pretty complete, rounded game. We'll bring our strengths and they'll bring theirs and we'll see who holds up."
Walsh said one area would be the key battleground for the two sides.
"I definitely think the midfield as both sides have got strong forward lines and are pretty good defensively," he said.
"Whichever side can get on top and give their forwards the most amount of opportunity will win and that's probably no different to most big games."
Threlfall was confident experience in big games would improve his side's chances of victory.
"We've certainly got some guys who are experienced on the big stage and we tend to play good in big games whether it's during the year or in finals," he said.
Walsh hoped his side would be able to utilise the vast open spaces of Reid Oval to exploit Nirranda after winning the ball out of the inside midfield contest.
"If we play the way we know we can it (playing on the Reid) probably does (suit us)," he said.
"But it allows us if we get our hands on the footy to play to our strengths but when the ball is there to be won we still have to win it so that's where we put most of our focus.
"When we do win it we have a bit more space to use it, which does suit us, but it comes secondary to actually winning it at the coalface."
The Power have beaten the Blues twice this season - including a two-point win in round five and a 61-point victory in round 16.
The Blues handed Walsh's side its second loss of the season in the second semi-final two weeks ago.
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