In the Shepparton East corner, the Eagles are seeking to become the first A-grade outfit in the competition’s 47-year history to complete back-to-back undefeated seasons.
While for Lancaster, its mission to end the reigning premier’s 35-game winning streak would deliver the Wombats their first A-grade flag since 2014.
Shepparton East will come in favourites after claiming all three encounters so far this season, but after Lancaster ran them to within four goals in a thrilling semi-final, Eagles’ co-captain Marni Thorne knows back-to-back flags won’t just land in the lap.
Because, as she puts it, every game provides a different challenge – especially on grand final day.
“I don't think (the streak) really comes up that much,” Thorne said.
“I heard someone mention it the other day and I didn't realise that it was that long.
“Each week is a new game - every game you just don't know how the other team's going to come out.
“It doesn't matter if we've had that many wins in a row, grand final day is a different day.”
The Eagles front and back courts are both ranked first in the league, with Kali Frost in the goal-ring, Lauren James and Liv Keady in defence, and a tireless centre third looming large.
“Working as a team on and off the court, we’ve definitely got a good bunch of girls,” Thorne said.
“I think it translates with how well we get along off the court to how well we're playing together on the court.”
Lancaster isn’t shying away from the job at hand, however.
The Wombats produced a thrilling extra-time escape in last week’s preliminary final against Nagambie, and co-coach Rhianna Hilton says her side’s focus will be solely on their own backyard.
“(We’ll) worry about us and what we've been working on at training to come out and execute that on the weekend,” Hilton said.
“The beliefs there, the competence is there, so we're just going to go out and play our game.
“It was all slowly coming together, and we've always had that belief; that semi-final really cemented that and gave us a lot of confidence.”
The courts at Mooroopna Reserve will be awash with blue and gold, with the A-grade grand final kicking off at 3pm this Saturday, September 12.
