Hills said the Storm had produced an exceptional season in its first year in the competition and the grand final match-up could not have been planned any better.

‘‘We’ve had a brilliant year and some great wins and exposure and to make the finals first was amazing and now to win two finals games and make the grand final could not have been scripted any better,’’ Hills said.

‘‘The chance to get another crack has driven us over the last couple of weeks to set up this grand final against North.

‘‘The boys have been itching to get another crack at them and to get across the line at the weekend was a massive achievement for our group and sets up a great clash at the weekend which is good for both clubs and Tassie footy in general.

‘‘We were definitely beaten and bruised on the weekend after a big clash against Clarence which took its toll but we’ve had a massive focus on recovery over the last three to four weeks and when it comes down to it we seem to have been able to get the job done and hopefully we’ve got one more in us.’’

Hills said the team’s desire to win a flag in its first year in the TSL was driving it and the club was keen to write its own history.

He said the feeling of holding up the premiership cup last year for South Launceston had been unbelievable and the players who took part in that victory were keen to share the experience with their new teammates.

‘‘We’ve done a lot of homework and we feel like our performances were pretty ordinary the last two times we played North.

‘‘We’ve got a plan in place we think will help us get the win but we’re under no illusions how hard it is going to be.

‘‘The two losses really hurt us and they will go into the game rightly as favourites having the week off as well and really fresh.

‘‘We’ll relish the underdog tag and that’s when our boys play their best footy.’’

North Launceston coach Zane Littlejohn said both teams knew each other well with this their fifth meeting of the season but, despite grabbing the last two wins, he did not accept that his side had the wood over the Storm.

‘‘We’ve obviously beaten them on the last two occasions so the boys are confident we can win on the weekend but I wouldn’t say we have got the wood on them because they have beaten us as well,’’ Littlejohn said.

‘‘It’s certainly a great rivalry that has been created and a great grand final – two Northern clubs with a bit of rivalry – they’ve got over half of their premiership players from last year and when it comes to the big stage they have the experience that we don’t have yet.’’

Littlejohn said the week off had benefited his players with the chance to freshen up physically and mentally.

‘‘It’s been 16 years since our footy club has won a premiership.

‘‘We’ve got an inexperienced team in this situation but my message has been to them this week, and over the past two weeks, to enjoy the occasion because this might be the last time – they don’t come around very often grand finals.

‘‘You have to enjoy the situation but make sure that we don’t have a holiday and that we turn up when we have to and make sure our best footy is ready to go.’’