GNL Hockey: South Launceston and Burnie Baptist set for another grand final

And Saturday, despite the shortened and unique nature of the 2020 season, a form of the norm has been restored as the two meet again to decide who takes home the premiership.

Baptist won the round one clash between the pair but South have drawn blood more recently, winning the semi-final clash a fortnight ago to qualify for the grand final.

But Suns coach Al McBain obviously still wants more.

"I would have been happy either way whether it was Queechy or Baptist we got to play but hopefully it's a bit of revenge for us after coming up short last year in overtime," he said.

"So I'm pretty happy with the outcome and I reckon it will be a pretty tight game so hopefully a good one for the spectators as well as us."

ELSEWHERE IN SPORT

Describing the semi-final victory as a good, smart, simple game, McBain said the over-time victory was a fantastic learning experience for his side as they step towards their fifth premiership in seven years.

While he's looking for his side to play the game on their terms rather than focus on Baptist's attack, he's still wary of the likes of opposing coach Khan Riley and Mathew Selby, who are mainstays in the Suns rivalry.

The seven-year on-and-off battle between the sides is one that gives McBain mixed feelings as he'd also love to see other teams knock both off their perch and bridge the gap.

"In one way, I look at it as really good as we know we are going to get a tough game against them year in, year out. We've obviously got a good mix of junior and senior players in both teams so we can expect that next year will be the same, the teams will be thereabouts come finals time too.

"We are finding the whole way through that their young guys are becoming their key players now, when they were only the junior guys on the side the first time we beat them in the premiership.

"The same with us now too, our junior guys have stepped into the senior roles and you've got the likes of your Brad Buchanans, your Kurt Budgeons, Sam Becketts who are starting to step up and dominate in the competition."

And it's two of those names (Buchanan and Budgeon), alongside coach McBain that Riley knows are the core of the South lineup.

The three amigos have scored 43 goals between them this season and are obviously well known throughout the league.

"We know that they've got a big core three in Kurt, Al and Brad - they are the keys to them winning the game," Riley said.

"They are the three that we have to keep our eye on."

For Baptist, it's three up-and-coming juniors alongside Riley - who scored 19 goals in the regular season and four in last week's preliminary final - that will hold the key.

"Lachie Murfet has stepped up to a whole new level and is playing really good hockey.

"Keenan Johnson again has gone ahead leaps and bounds and young Matt Murphy has come a long way this year as well."

Despite dropping the semi-final, in which they had several players missing, the Baptist leader is confident of a victory on Saturday and like McBain, predicts a competitive, fast-paced grand final.