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Despite finishing higher, BRIDGENORTH have been unable to eclipse Hillwood, as the two sides meet for a shot against Longford.
The Parrots have recalled experienced heads Luke Duncan, Gary Shipton and Darren Long for the qualifying final with Brady Demeijer relishing the challenge
"We've been waiting for this for 5-6 weeks now and we can't wait - we're ready to hit it hard," he said.
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
"It's our first finals since 2016 and the boys are biting at the bit. We have several experienced guys with finals experience but we also have young guys playing their first."
Hillwood coach Nathan Lowe said the season's ups and downs have his side prepared with no more excuses on the table.
"This is the different time of year now, this is the real stuff where anything can happen," he said.
"The last two times we've played them, our sharing of the ball has been brilliant - we haven't relied on just one player and unlucky for them, they have probably been our best two games of the season."
Sunday's elimination final sees ROCHERLEA take on South Launceston with both sides having stormed into finals following a slow start.
After a confidence-building win on the eve of finals, Aaron Viney's South unit are wary of their opponents and their dangerous midfield.
"They've been the form team for the second half of the year and they gave us a touch-up last time," he said.
"We've had two looks at them so we know what to expect but it's finals so anything can happen.
"They got on top of us at stoppages last time through Jacob Hawkins so he will be one for us to watch."
South took home the win in the first contest between the two sides, but Rocherlea's end of season form proved too strong for the Bulldogs in their last match-up, collecting a 25-point win.
Rocherlea's Andrew Cox-Goodyer echoed Viney's sentiments about the midfield battle as their engine room is set to be bolstered with Jordan Cousens returning to the line-up for his first senior game of the season.
"We are rapt with the season's end but we are now up to the real work," he said.
"South have been the top team for the last 4-5 years so we need to bring our 'A' game as they still have [Luke] Mccarty, Viney and [Jade] Child running through that midfield."
Schedule
Saturday, 2pm at Longford - qualifying final
Bridgenorth v Hillwood
Sunday, 2pm at Hillwood - elimination final
Rocherlea v South Launceston
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