Eaglehawk captain Cory Jacobs has a warning for BDCA flag favourite Golden Square - don't underestimate Huntly-North Epsom.
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Most people in Bendigo cricket expect minor premier Golden Square to win this weekend's grand final, but Jacobs said the Power had the tools to be more than just competitive with the in-form Bulldogs.
"If Huntly bats first in the grand final and make 200 plus, then I think they're a big chance of winning the game,'' Jacobs, who saw the Power close-up in a semi-final defeat at the weekend, said.
"Their batting is probably under-rated and they bowl as well as any in the competition. We didn't take them lightly at the weekend, but if you do take them lightly they have the ability to beat anyone."
Much of Huntly-North Epsom's success this season has centred around star all-rounder Adam Ward, who has made 469 runs and taken 36 wickets.
Ward made a brilliant 90 against the Borough in the semi-final.
"Wardy has been out lbw a few times this year, so we fell into the trap of bowling too straight to him and he got a few away on the leg side,'' Jacobs said.
"If you get things slightly wrong he can take the game away from you very quickly."
While Ward's been the form paceman of the competition, Jacobs said the Power's strength was the way they bowl as a team.
"As a unit they bowl well,'' Jacobs said.
"(Jarrod) Hodoras probably surprised us a bit with how well he bowled. He angled the ball across the right-handers well and bowled a terrific length.
"Wardy and Brett Elvey bowl really well together, (Danushka) Wijemanna nips the ball around and the leg-spinner (Sandun) Ranathunga is good.
"They have a set plan to bowl one side of the wicket and they stack up the off-side of the field. They try to force you do something out of the ordinary to score.
"It will be interesting to see how the Golden Square batsmen go about it if they get tied down.
"Golden Square deserve to be favourites because they've played really consistent cricket, but Huntly will test their patience."
The Bulldogs and Power met once in the home and away season, with Huntly-North Epsom upstaging Square by one run.
The Bulldogs were cruising to victory until they lost their final seven wickets for just 16 runs.
The grand final will be played from noon on Saturday and Sunday at the QEO.
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