White Hills stands in Colbinabbin's way of consecutive HFNL premierships

The Grasshoppers have tried and failed in three attempts to defeat the relentless Demons this season.

A margin of seven goals separated the teams in their second-semi-final encounter a fortnight ago, while the difference in their earlier seasons games were three and eight goals.

But despite the 0-3 scoreline, Cobbledick said the Grasshoppers would go into the clash full of confidence after a pair of finals wins  against North Bendigo and a solid effort against the Demons.

"This game, unlike the others, we have nothing to lose," she said.

"The girls have been playing some excellent netball in the past couple of weeks.

"They are really excited (about the opportunity), there's just something about Colbo wanting to play finals netball."

The Grasshoppers are playing in their fifth straight grand final and are looking to defend their 2015 premiership crown.

Cobbledick, who last Sunday won the league best and fairest in her first season in the HDNL, turned up the pressure on the Demons this week, declaring them a "red-hot premiership favourite".

"They've beaten us three times throughout the year. The scoreboard probably has shown it, but some of those wins have been quite convincing," she said.

"They've played a lot of good netball and we have been way off our best in those games."

The Grasshoppers will have plenty of premiership experience on-court at Huntly, with skipper Olivia McEvoy, Jess Geary, Gab Barlow and Carly Geary among those to have played in last season's triumph.

White Hills will be playing only its second match in 27 days, after earning a bye in the first week of finals and advancing directly from their semi-final.

But that should pose few problems for Demons coach Nadine Anderson, who has kept her side match-fit with a series of practice matches against BFNL clubs Golden Square and Sandhurst and LVFNL grand finalist Newbridge.

The Demons coach believed her side's perfect 3-0 record against Colbinabbin had placed no added of weight of expectation on players.

"They are the reigning premiers (and) our girls haven't been in a grand final for several years," she said.

"I'd' probably say there's more pressure on them being the reigning premiers."

It's already been a remarkable year for the Demons, who have lost just twice this season and have all four senior netball teams participating in grand finals

"That was our goal at the start of the year, thinking two would be great ... but four is fantastic," Anderson said.

Anderson believed league medallist Cobbledick loomed as a potential grand final match-winner.

"She's tough to match up, but they're strong right across the court, and pretty flexible and versatile," she said.

The Demons have been bolstered this season by the recruitment of former Kangaroo Flat quartet Lauren Bowles, Sarah Fern, Brooke Lawry and Danni Wee-Hee and the late season inclusion of 2015 Golden Square premiership defender Kath Basilewsky.

Midcourter Bowles was confident the Demons had enough players with big-game experience to combat a finals-hardened Colbinabbin.

"We have a lot of experienced players in our team - finals experience - and mature heads that if we have some dull patches in our game we can all lift," she said.

"We've had a few lulls when we have played Colbo in the past, but we've been able to keep fighting , play our game and get the win on the board."

The former Roos said she would not be surprised to see the Grasshoppers try a few new combinations in a bid to unsettle the Demons.

"We understand they've got lots of depth in their team and they're a very versatile team," Bowles said.

"They have plenty of girls who can play at either end.

"We don't know what we are going to get or how they'll line up, which makes things pretty exciting."

Bowles admitted to being suitably impressed with the standard of HDFNL netball, in particular top four rivals Colbinabbin, North Bendigo and Leitchville-Gunbower.

"In terms of coming from the Bendigo league you are still getting tough matches and some really good netball," she said.

"Hopefully in time more players choose to play their netball out here."

Few players will have had a tougher road to the grand final than Colbinabbin's Carly Geary.

The goal shooter has missed the bulk of the season after tearing the ligaments in her ankle in round one, but re-emerged in the A-reserve team and a few A-grade cameos in the lead-up to finals.

She will return to the starting line-up on Saturday.

Geary said countering the accuracy of White Hills' goalers was a must if the Grasshoppers were to turn the tables on the Demons.

"It's tough getting Brooke Lawry to miss, no matter what our defenders do," she said.

"And Lauen (Bowles) is a standout in the midcourt, her drive down the court is just unstoppable."

Geary, who is in her second season at Colbinabbin, was understandably rapt to be back and in with a shot at a second straight premiership win.

“It’s been tough, especially getting back into a talented side,” she said.

“We know we are going to have to be at our best to get a win.”

Prediction: White Hills – three goals