"It's been 10 years since Devonport played in one, so we're pretty keen to make it the first one since the 1988 premiership,'' he said.

The players' spirit was excellent, with the realisation that they were taking on a very good side in Clarence.

"The loser can only look and dwell on what might have been,'' he said.

Meanwhile, Devonport full-forward Ken Rainsford and Clarence full-back Anthony Cole have each had a victory this season in the personal battle between them.

That battle will be critical tomorrow because Devonport showed against Northern Bombers that it had few other scoring options.

In the July 25 match between the two clubs, Rainsford was dominant, with the big full-forward taking 16 marks and kicking six goals when the Power beat Clarence by 26 points at Devonport.

In the May 23 match at Bellerive, Rainsford kicked four goals as Clarence won by 11 points.

Rainsford, who has kicked 91 goals for the year, has returned after being suspended for spitting in the qualifying final.

Devonport coach Max Brown said the supply to his forwards had to be better than last week for the team to win.

"The inclusion of Rainsford and Davies will help once the ball's down there, but I would hope it was put in there better,'' he said.

Clarence coach Grant Fagan said yesterday that Devonport might have a slight advantage in the ruck with Simon Walmsley and Matthew Langmaid taking on Justin Brereton.

He said the club would not be too negative but would tag players such as Wayne Weidemann or Fabian Carelli if necessary.

Fagan said he believed that Devonport and Clarence matched up well, down to the last six picked for each club _ in contrast to his belief that Clarence was much stronger in the last six than Burnie.

Brown was confident that his bottom six were good.

"I have got no problems with our bottom six and I think they will do very well for us,'' he said.

The club had not considered exceptional Mariners players Justin Arnold and Kurt Hazelwood because they were living in Hobart and not training with the club.

"We went with (Brady) Rawlings and we didn't want to bring too many new ones in _ whether it was the right or wrong decision, only time will tell.''

Fagan said Clarence had replaced six players from last year's grand final side fairly well.

From last year's side, Clarence had lost Darren Winter, Danny Noonan, Paul Holdsworth, Duncan Hurd and Jeremy Sharpen, and it had replaced them with Matthew Jones, Scott Allen, Keiran O'Dwyer, David Donato, Mark Colegrave and Justin Brereton.

"We have replaced them reasonably well after losing seven the year before,'' Fagan said.