Five of the seven HDFNL club coaches who aren’t competing in the grand final have backed the Bombers to be too good for arch-rival North Bendigo at Huntly on Saturday.

Colbo’s Nick Knight, Huntly’s Denis Grinton, Mt Pleasant’s Darren Walsh, White Hills’ Brent Millar and Elmore’s Danny Brewster said it’s the Bombers’ flag to lose.

Lockington-Bamawm United coach Kahl Oliver was the only coach to tip the Bulldogs.

Heathcote’s Luke Bell was unavailable for comment.

“Leitchy have had the week off and I like them on the bigger ground at Huntly,’’ Knight said.

“The fresher legs will be important come the last quarter.”

Grinton said the Bombers have an extra touch of class.

“Leitchy have three or four more A-graders than North Bendigo,’’ Grinton said.

“North’s big advantage could be (Troy) Kelm in the ruck, but I think Leitchy will have too much run for North Bendigo.

“They’ll open them up on the bigger ground and they have multiple players who can bob up and kick goals.”

Walsh said injuries to key duo Jarrod Findlay and Lachlan Ford had hindered North’s chances.

“North were the better team through the season and if they had Findlay and Ford I probably would have tipped them,’’ Walsh said.

“Leitchy’s outside run will probably be the difference.”

The Bombers and Bulldogs played out a thrilling second semi-final a fortnight ago, with Leitchville winning by four points. The Bulldogs trailed Colbinabbin by three points in last Saturday’s preliminary final before storming home in the final quarter to win by five goals.

Millar said North Bendigo’s two bruising finals could come back to haunt them.

“North’s had two big hit-outs in the past two weeks whereas Leitchy has had a perfect preparation,’’ Millar said. “Leitchy has too much strike power.”

Four weeks ago Brewster selected Leitchville to win the flag and he hasn’t changed his mind since.

“I think it will be a cracking game, but I still think Leitchville is the best team,’’ Brewster said.

Oliver said North Bendigo’s defeat at the hands of Leitchville in last year’s grand final could be the catalyst of an upset win on Saturday. 

“I was listening to (North Bendigo star) Jeremy Mills speak at the presentation day and he sounded as though North are hungry for it,’’ Oliver said.

“(After losing last year) North Bendigo might want it a bit more than Leitchville.”