by Davyd Reid
IT will be a season 2022 grand final re-match when Buln Buln meet Neerim-Neerim South in the Ellinbank District decider at Yarragon on Saturday.
Both sides have made additions since that match decided by a solitary point 12 months ago, another change being it has been Buln Buln the in-form side of the competition this time around.
The Lyrebirds will enter favourites, having dropped the points just once at a very heavy Ellinbank track during the home and away season.
While Cameron McPhan has retired due to work commitments and Matthew Stevens has moved on, the Buln Buln side has remained similar to the 2022 line up that will be looking for redemption on Saturday.
Riley Rundell has added speed through the middle and forward half, proving a good foil for their leading goal kicker Hayden Baker who has 51 goals.
Reece Campbell joins them as a reliable forward, often bobbing up for multiples, while coach Bob McCallum and Matthew Gray present an aerial threat as they swap between ruck and forward.
Sam Batson has returned since bowing out due to injury late in the 2022 campaign, and the defence remain a reliable tight knit group. The likes of Jake Herbel, Brendan Wall, Brandon Allen, Shaun Beecroft and the Axford brothers, Daniel, Thomas and Lachlan, all sticking to the cause.
The key drivers through the middle are the likes of Mitch Nobelius, Trent Baker, Jack Symes and Jake Pierrehumbert. Dylan Cann, Jackson Kos and Nathan Tutton also provide the team with drive.
Neerim-Neerim South will be out to go back-to-back and while they have been forced to advance from the eliminator, their finals campaign demonstrates they have the skill to challenge.
They will aim to cap a big day with all four football sides in.
The main change for the Cats has been the addition of Jack Blakey, which has proven handy given the injury troubles for Nick Caddy this year.
The defence, led by key pillars Matthew Edwards and Alex Johnston, has also been reliable with the support of Dean Stringer and Tom Muir.
While Chris Urie has been out at times the forward line remains potent, led by tall Lachlan Bambridge (52 goals) and small Luke Kinder (54 goals). Tyssen Morrow can also be dangerous when allowed to drift forward.
Marko Kulas will use his leap to try and give the Cats the advantage over his former club, attempting to give first use to the likes of captain Kody Wilson, Isaac Fuller, Brock Dorling and Cooper Clancy, Nathan Bayne also providing drive.
The Cats have had plenty of contributors with Ayden Ramm, Rhys George, Chris Charles, the Locketts (Ashley and Justin), Eddie McGillivray and Lachlan Guy all playing their role.
Season 2023 form would suggest Buln Buln take the next step, but the Cats are also capable of going back-to-back which sets up an enticing grand final.
Grand final schedule:
Under 16s: Ellinbank v Neerim-Neerim South at 8.15am.
Under 18s: Neerim-Neerim South v Ellinbank at 9.55am.
Reserves: Neerim-Neerim South v Lang Lang at 12.10pm.
Seniors: Buln Buln v Neerim-Neerim South at 2.20pm.