COLBINABBIN will enter the 2019 HDFNL finals series the strongest it has been all season.
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The Grasshoppers, who will sit-out this weekend's first round of finals after finishing minor round premiers with a 15-0-1 record, rounded out their commitments with a hard-fought 57-28 win at North Bendigo.
After a season filled with players rotating in and out of the side, the Grasshoppers will carry a strong squad of 10 players into the finals series.
They have been boosted in recent weeks by the returns of multiple premiership defenders Brydie Lawford and Kate Chirnside.
Lawford, a dual-league best and fairest winner in 2017-18, who missed the early part of the season with a back injury, has played the necessary four games to qualify for finals.
The Grasshoppers' rich-depth will leave first-year coach Georgia Rodger with some tough decisions to make ahead of her side's first final against either White Hills or Elmore, who meet in this Saturday's qualifying final at Leitchville.
Rodger said last Saturday's clash against the Bulldogs was a good opportunity to trial new combinations.
"We had a different side on in every quarter, so it's nice that my biggest issue is trying to get people on the court and not trying to find people to get on the court," she said.
"I feel we've really hit our straps late in the season, which is when you want things to be showing.
"We've still got a few things we are working on at training and going into finals, but we're excited at Colbo for what's ahead."
Positives against North Bendigo include the form of Lawford and goal shooter Martine Rodger, the coach's sister.
Rodger was unsure whether the week off would ultimately benefit or hinder her side.
"I'm a big believer in just push all the way through, it's not necessarily a benefit to get the week off," she said.
"But some of our girls late in the season might appreciate a break.
"We have a practice match organised, so that will give us a nice hit-out and a chance to work on some of those combos again and be ready for White Hills or Elmore."
The Grasshoppers will play South Bendigo in a practice match, with the Bloods, who are finals bound for the first time in more than 15 years, having already wrapped up their BFNL minor round commitments.
Colbinabbin holds two wins over Elmore this season and one against White Hills, with the Grasshoppers-Demons' round 16 clash ending in a draw.
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