It has become the marquee fixture on the Heathcote District league calendar in recent seasons and the next installment will be played out on Saturday in the second semi-final at Lockington.

The Bulldogs have beaten the Bombers in the past two grand finals, and come 5pm Saturday one of them will again be through to the decider in a fortnight’s time.

It’s doubtful the Heathcote District league has had two teams cast as big a shadow over the rest of the competition in the same season as what the Bulldogs and Bombers have this year.

Combined they have 31-2 records – their only losses coming against each other – and both boast average winning margins of more than 100 points: North Bendigo’s is 114; Leitchville-Gunbower’s 103.

The dominance of the two teams was further enhanced on Wednesday night when North Bendigo and Leitchville-Gunbower players were seven of the top eight vote-getters in the Cheatley Medal, won by the Bulldogs’ Jarrod Findlay.

The Bombers are coming off a 52-point win over Colbinabbin in last Saturday’s qualifying final in what was their 11^th consecutive victory.

However, coach Matt Hawken says there’s been plenty for the Bombers to work on this week in preparation for the showdown with the Bulldogs.

“It’s hard to get a gauge on how big an impact being the first final or the conditions had last week, but our skill level by hand and foot could have been better and we were a bit disorganised at times,” Hawken said on Friday.

“So there’s a couple of things to sharpen up on. I’d expect our skill level to pick up this weekend, but if it doesn’t then we won’t beat North Bendigo.

“They are the best foot-skilled team in the competition, so we will have to make sure we keep the pressure on them.”

Last time they met in round 16 the Bombers dished out a 50-point hiding to the Bulldogs.

It was well-documented the Bulldogs were missing a host of key players that day, but Hawken says there’s plenty his side will draw on from that game to take into Saturday’s encounter.

“The most pleasing part that day was we got on top in the midfield, and that’s where the game is going to be won and lost on Saturday,” Hawken said.

“We’ll need Michael Pilcher and Lee Pollock to get the advantage in the ruck for us and if that can help tip the midfield battle our way then it’s going to be huge in winning the game.”

The Bombers – 0-3 in finals meetings with the Bulldogs going back to 2014 – regain captain Daniel Couwenberg and Adam Decicco, who were both late withdrawals with the flu last week.

The Bulldogs will take on the Bombers with a far more potent team than round 16, with captain Jordan Ford, Brady Herdman, Sam Barnes, Joel Helman – coming up against his former side – and Daniel Morris all back in the line-up.

“Obviously having Brady and Barnsey in the side this time structures our forward line up a lot better, particularly both being leaders in our side,” North Bendigo coach Rob Bennett said.

“But there were also areas we fell down in that day that we know we have to do better in to beat them.

“Their coach made mention that they won the midfield battle, so we’ll obviously be trying to win it this time.”

Among those integral to the pivotal midfield battle on Saturday will be the Bulldogs’ Jarrod Findlay, fresh off his Cheatley Medal win.

“I’m super proud of Jarrod… he doesn’t say a lot, but when he does speak the playing group listens,” Bennett said.

“He has become a leader around the club and he’s just the ultimate competitor who hates getting beaten and we’re looking forward to him carrying his good form into Saturday.”

Saturday’s second semi-final at Lockington starts at 2.15pm.

• How they match up:

North Bendigo:

Record – 15-1

Average for – 152

Average against – 48

Quarters won – 56/64

Leitchville-Gunbower:

Record – 16-1

Average for – 142

Average against – 48

Quarters won – 59/68

• This season:

Rd 7 - North Bendigo 23.13 (151) d Leitchville-Gunbower 12.11 (83).

Rd 16 - Leitchville-Gunbower 13.13 (91) d North Bendigo 6.5 (41).