Two of the most consistent sides in the South West Football League will meet this weekend with a berth in the 2015 grand final up for grabs.
The Busselton Magpies and the Carey Park Panthers finished first and second on the ladder and have each claimed the points once in their two 2015 encounters.
Carey Park drew first blood in the Anzac Day clash with a dominant display from Aaron Hill and Brandon Jetta before Busselton hit back to win the second clash through Dan McGinlay and Nathan Bradbury.
This game promises to be electric from the first bounce.
Carey Park stood tall last week to get over the line against Eaton and will be keen to repeat the dose and earn a week off.
The Magpies had last week off and a chance to freshen up their key stocks but will miss the presence of their captain Dan McGinlay who is still out with injury.
CAREY PARK: Liam Stewart.
Stewart has been an underrated midfielder for the Panthers who regularly works hard at the bottom of the pack.
Apart from Graham Jetta, Carey Park is a little light on when it comes to hard nosed midfielders, so Stewart adds a dynamic they require.
BUSSELTON: Teamwork
The Magpies have been the most consistent team unit in the 2015 season.
They have a number of players who don't necessarily stand out as superstars but can definitely make an impact on games.
Nathan Bradbury, Jackson Arbon and Jordan Eastwell are all in this bracket.
CAREY PARK: Mobile tall timber
Carey Park has a number of talls but most hold down certain positions at either end. Matt Martin, Matt Cavedon and Andrew Rake all usually play the one position.
Busselton has a number of mobile tall players that might cause headaches for the Panthers, such as Steve Cameron, Adam Dehring and Brent Snook.
Riley Hutchinson will play a large part in stopping Busselton's big movers.
BUSSELTON: Dan McGinlay
The Busselton captain injured his posterior cruciate ligament to his right knee in round 17 and has a physio frantically working to get him right again.
McGinlay's influence is unrivaled and his consistent four-quarter performances have a knack of lifting his side over the line (i.e: in last year's drawn elimination final against Carey Park).
The 2015 Magpies have showed the league what teamwork can achieve but they may be exposed across the midfield without their fearless leader.
The last time Busselton and Carey Park faced off in a final, they took the game to overtime with a 2014 elimination match draw at Payne Park.
Busselton were the eventual winners and will be hoping to have it easier this weekend.
Carey Park claim Anzac Day clash
On Anzac Day, Carey Park got off to a hot start kicking the first two goals by capitalising on Busselton's turnovers.
The Magpies were moving the ball swiftly through Chis Kane and Nathan Bradbury but poor decisions saw them turn the ball over.
Busselton came out swinging as the game progressed and through Dan McGinlay they took a 10 point lead into half time.
Carey Park used the wind in the third quarter to kick four goals to one through the boots of Aaron Hill, Kieran King and Brandon Jetta.
High intensity from Viv Blurton and Jake Watts saw the Panthers push their advantage in the final quarter to run out 16 point winners 12.11.83 to 9.13.67.
Busselton hit back in game two
Heading down to Sir Stewart Bovell Park on June 27, Busselton reversed their fortune to claim the four premiership points.
The two backlines showed their dominance in the first quarter with the ball bouncing from end to end and neither side putting a goal on the scoreboard.
Steve Cameron opened the Magpies account early in the second quarter and his teammate Sam Shepherd gave the locals a two goal lead.
Without Matt Martin, Carey Park used Michael McMillan to stay within a goal the difference at half time.
In the third quarter Dan McGinlay found more of the football at Busselton were able to pile on five goals to Carey Park's two with a quarter to play.
Just when the game looked to be out of reach, Carey Park ignited with only a little time left on the clock.
Clint Garlett, Aaron Hill and Liam Stewart all bagged goals to see the Panthers just five points behind.
Winning the ruck knock, Carey Park were streaming towards goal when the final siren rang to see Busselton victorious 9.10.64 to 8.11.59.
Busselton will be keen to get off to a quick start – Carey Park have been better against sides they can get on top of early.
If the Magpies can take a three goal lead into the main break, I would be confident they could hold off the inevitable Panther charge.
These sides have evenly matched midfields and the Magpies can win if they keep Matt Martin's influence to a minimum.
This is going to be a ding-dong battle but I'm predicting a week off will have Busselton up for the challenge.
Busselton to win by 8 points.
