Evandale and East Coast have both made bold declarations of their premiership credentials in the finals series to date, knocking off the ladder’s top two sides in St Pats and Lilydale en route to the decider.

James Storay’s Eagles haven’t lost in seven weeks chasing their first silverware since 1993, while Ned Hyland’s Swans are three months unbeaten in pursuit of their first NTFA flag and first premiership since the St Helens era.

“Ned’s done a fantastic job in the past two years since they’ve come into the comp,” Storay said of his opposite number.

“To make two grand finals is a fantastic achievement and to achieve that you’ve got to have a good list, they’ve got a very good top four, five or six but the other players in that side are very selfless as well.

“They’re like us - they play team-orientated football so we’re just going to go out there and I’ll back our 22 guys to beat each match-up, we won’t be having set tags on anyone.”

ROAD TO THE DECIDER: In-depth look at the Eagles and Swans

Storay backed his midfield brigade of Tom Chugg, Sam Bannister and Andrew Frame to go head-to-head with Swans assistant coach Michael Musicka, best-and-fairest winner Corey Bosworth and skipper Pearce Robinson.

“They’ve got some really good players but it’s going to take a team effort from one of the two sides to get the job done.”

The two outfits have played each other just once this season, with East Coast strolling to a 28-point win at home in round six courtesy of 11 goals between Michael Murfet and Nick Child. 

Musicka said the two sides’ lack of exposure to each other this season added to the drama of the day, but insisted his side would not be overwhelmed by the occasion thanks to the experience of playing in a grand final last season. 

“I think we’ve matured from last year and seen what the big day brings,” the goal-kicking midfielder said. 

“It’s just another game of football - some people get worried that it’s a big day and it does have an effect on some people, but the way we’re playing at the moment I think we can really take it to the next level.

“It’s been 18 years since St Helens has won a flag so hopefully we can come out on top this year.”

The senior grand final starts at 2pm at Windsor Park, and will be preceded by the reserves grand final between St Pats and Evandale at 11.25am.

Opposition coaches are split down the middle on who will win Saturday’s NTFA division 2 decider.

Four coaches nominated either East Coast’s Michael Musicka or Evandale’s Tom Chugg as the most likely candidates to win the David O’Keefe Memorial Medal.

Tip: East Coast by 12

Medal: Michael Musicka

“We played East Coast last week and they were pretty slippery, I reckon they’ll win in overtime.”

Tip: East Coast by 30

Medal: Corey Bosworth

“I think they’ll win because they’ve got more avenues to goal – it’s a pretty potent forward line. If the game opens up and East Coast  get it in their forward line and the open spaces of Windsor, Evandale won’t be able to zone them off.”

Tip: Evandale by 22

Medal: Tom Chugg

“Evandale have had a week off to freshen up and the forecast isn’t looking great, the wet weather could suit them a bit better.”

Tip: Evandale by 25 points 

Medal: Tom Chugg 

“We played them late in the year and to me they played like the best side. East Coast has got a lot of class but Evandale has shown over the last half of the year that they’ve been a very close-knit side, so I think as a team that will get them through.”

Tip: Evandale by 7

Medal: Jordan Harris

“I think because it’s finals it will be scrappy. St Helens are better on the outside probably but I think being scrappy and possibly wet Evandale will be better on the inside.” 

Tip: East Coast by 31

Medal: Michael Musicka

“They’ll be too strong in the midfield and up forward, Evandale won’t be able to contain them.”

Tip: Evandale by 7

Medal: Warwick Johnson

“It’s going to be a contest between the two forward lines. Evandale has got a fantastic defensive unit - particularly their half-back line - but East Coast probably has the better forward line so it’ll be an interesting contest.”