WARRNAMBOOL and District Cricket Association finals are upon us and it couldn't be more even if it tried.
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The Standard's NICK ANSELL has weighed up your club's chances of winning a premiership.
Find out how your club is placed leading into Saturday's semi finals.
BRIERLY-CHRIST CHURCH
CAPTAIN: Matthew Love
KEY PLAYER: Mark Murphy
SEASON FINISH: First
WHY IT WILL WIN: The Bulls have proven themselves to be one of the best batting teams in the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association this season. Depth is a luxury and Brierly has plenty of it. Not only can its top-order make runs, but middle-order combatants Damon Dews, Lachie Rooke and Luke Wilson can also post good scores.
At first glance, Brierly-Christ Church relies on a number of bowlers without any real linchpin to its attack. But on close examination, you see how dynamic it can be.
Two left-arm spinners in Rooke and veteran Jason Greer will leave batsmen guessing and they add to a talented group of medium-pace bowlers.
WHY IT WON'T WIN: Can the Bulls get the job done on the big stage? The question remains. The club has lost both the one-day and Twenty20 grand finals this season despite entering as heavy favourites.
The club will back its depth and class but rivals teams will try to pile on early pressure to get doubt flowing.
RUSSELLS CREEK
CAPTAIN: Cameron Williams
KEY PLAYER: Jimmy Elford
SEASON FINISH: Second
WHY IT WILL WIN: The two-time reigning premier has a proven record of winning flags under Williams' leadership. Lethal bowling attack, which has a number of players to call upon, and a batting lineup which has demonstrated it can match it with the big boys in recent weeks. Bowlers are Creek's strength, however, and have been responsible for its premiership push in recent seasons. Dangerous team to play.
WHY IT WON'T WIN: Creek's form has been patchy at times and there are questions over consistency. Its best is undoubtedly the best in the competition, but can it produce top form in finals?
WOODFORD
CAPTAIN: Nick Butters
KEY PLAYER: Kory Howlett
SEASON FINISH: Third
WHY IT WILL WIN: Several players have won premierships in the past and have shown their best form isn't far away this season. Woodford boasts two of the best batsmen in the competition in Butters and Howlett and its bowling attack - featuring Hank Schlaghecke, Tyler Fowler, Connor Richardson and Chetan Sharma - is very dangerous. Lots to like from a consistent side who an adequate split of veterans, youth and players at their physical peak.
WHY IT WON'T WIN: There aren't a lot of weaknesses in Woodford's division one side.
Middle-order batting form hasn't been as hot as its top-order and this may be a concern if early wickets tumble. Will be a great battle between the Eels' batsmen and Russells Creek's bowlers and vice-versa on Saturday.
WEST WARRNAMBOOL
CAPTAIN: Alastair Templeton
KEY PLAYER: Ben Threlfall
SEASON FINISH: Fourth
WHY IT WILL WIN: There's plenty to like about how West Warrnambool approaches its cricket. Templeton recruited strong batting depth in Ryan McArdle, Fletcher Cozens and Charlie Blacker and this has helped the Panthers fire their way to fourth place.
The increased depth has released Ben Threlfall to play more freely from number one and the runs - all 610 of them - have flowed.
West's battle against Brierly-Christ Church will pit two of the association's best batting teams against one another.
WHY IT WON'T WIN: When West lost Englishman Jack Sunderland after round one, it adapted to life without a strike bowler.
Templeton has confidence spinner David Heeps, Damon Harrison, Cozens, Rhys Davies and his brother, Will, can restrict teams.
The test will be if the Panthers' bowlers can stop batting powerhouse Brierly-Christ Church on Saturday.
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