They were teammates for most of their lives before Fisher left Pomborneit for a new challenge at Camperdown three seasons ago.

Reigning champion Pomborneit and riser Camperdown will go head-to-head in Saturday's decider at the Lakes ground.

Fisher, 32, said the script "couldn't be written any better".

"It will be a bit different. I played in a couple (of grand finals) with them and won two there and the last two we played in we lost against Mortlake," he said.

Fisher said his decision to join the Lakers was based on "an opportunity to coach a group in division one".

"It's something that doesn't come around very often so when the opportunity was there I had to take it," he said.

Place said playing against his former teammate added an intriguing subplot.

"Until he left, I played with most of my life with him, since juniors," he said.

"He's two year older, same age as my older brother Clinton.

"We have played against each other a few times now (since he left) but I suppose it will be enjoyable for whoever wins, that's for sure."

Camperdown, which has spent time in division two in recent seasons, is embracing underdog status.

"We are kind of approaching it that we have nothing to lose. It's a really good opportunity for us," Fisher said.

"They are defending champs so there's always a little bit of added pressure on them."

Fisher said the Lakers had bridged the gap between their best and worst in season 2019-20.

He said the new-found consistency proved a winning ingredient.

Two imports - league best and fairest Kusan Niranjana and Shaluka Silva - have also played crucial roles in the team's ascension.

"It's definitely helped with our professionalism approaching the games," Fisher said.

"Their performances have been pretty consistent all year. Kusan has had a pretty good year.

"It was a bit of a surprise because we recruited him as a wicket-keeper but he's been a pretty handy leg-spin bowler.

"He'd been bowling well at training and we had a one-dayer against Cobden and decided to take the pads off him and he bowled that day and ended up bowling us to victory."

Most Pomborneit players celebrated a premiership 12 months ago but there is one teammate Place hopes the Bulls can win for on Saturday.

"Steve Murphy has come back from the club. He's travelling back from Ballarat," he said.

"He's played most of his life at Pomborneit and is yet to win a premiership so it would be very enjoyable to win one alongside him."

The decider is at Camperdown's home ground but Place said Pomborneit was happy with the decision.

"It's by far the best wicket," he said.

"I don't think I've ever had a bad wicket there so we all thought it was a no-brainer.

"Once the league realised we had no issues playing there, they were happy to keep predominantly Camperdown-based players in Camperdown."

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