Of the six east conference coaches that didn’t qualify for the grand final, five of them yesterday selected the Braves to win tonight’s final.

Dandenong’s Warren Dawson tipped Bendigo to win by less than 10 points.

“McFarlin and Meyer are most likely the two best imports in the SEABL this season,” he said.

“If Ivan McFarlin can win his individual battle with Lester Strong and if Luke Meyer can do the job on CJ Massingale then that could be the game there.”

Ballarat’s Guy Molly said the Braves have been the best side all season.

“I think that the balance between Bendigo’s inside and outside attack is very settled,” Molloy said.

“Bendigo have a couple of shooters who, if they are on song, have the ability to open up the game.’’

Canberra mentor Mark White said Bendigo’s depth would be the difference.

“Knox do have the finals experience, but I don’t think they’ll be able to match it with Bendigo at home,” White said.

“Knox don’t have the full class and depth that Bendigo has with their imports.”

Kilsyth coach Grant Wallace was perhaps the best placed to select the winner, having coached against Bendigo and Knox in the past two weeks.

“I think Bendigo just has more depth coming off the bench,” he said.

“Every shot we had against Bendigo was contested and they were the more physical team.

“Our match against Bendigo was the more physical of the two.”

AIS coach Marty Clarke also expects the Braves to win.

“I think it’s going to come down to whoever wins the battle between Lester Strong and Ivan McFarlin,’’ he said.

“Bendigo will also have to contain CJ Massingale after last week’s performance.”

Brisbane Spartans general manager Allan Ladewig was the only club representative to pick the Raiders to win a third-straight title.

“If Knox can get the ball to Lester Strong they will win,” Ladewig said.

“We were 14 points up with four minutes to go in last year’s grand final and Knox still came good and took out the match.

“Knox are just a little bit tougher than the rest of us I think.”