In the aftermath of the 72-point result, Storm coach Troy Coates said how hungry his side was to avenge last year's grand final loss to the Borough.

Matheson admitted the Storm looked the hungrier team in the way they played on Saturday night, but he had every faith in his side that it could turn things around and win back-to-back premierships.

"The boys have put in a lot of work this year to get to this stage,'' Matheson said.

"I'm sure they're quite hungry to get it done this year.

"There's guys who weren't part of last year that are really leading the way this year, so I don't think hunger is a problem."

To get another crack at Strathfieldsaye in the big dance the Hawks need to get past Gisborne in this Saturday's preliminary final.

After the initial shock of the 12-goal loss to Strathfieldsaye, the Hawks quickly tuned their focus to Gisborne.

"To be honest the boys were pretty flat after the game with the disappointment of putting in that performance,'' Matheson said.

"We got together as a group (Sunday morning) and the feeling was that we look forward to this weekend.

"We don't feel that we're out of it or that we can't beat Strathfieldsaye on our day. We're still positive."

The Hawks' leg speed and superior foot skills were the difference when the two sides met in the qualifying final on August 31.

Gisborne had the better of the Hawks for the first half, but once the Hawks got on top the Dogs had few answers and the reigning premiers won by 38 points.

Eaglehawk will lose star defender Tim Hill (quad) this week, but Matheson said Oscar Madden (ankle), Trent Bacon (hamstring) and Sam Harper (arm) would all push for selection.

Gisborne looks set to go with a smaller forward line than what it did in the qualifying final.

The Bulldogs' run of bad luck with key position players continued with centre half-forward Jaidyn Owen sidelined with a knee injury.

Owen joins fellow key forward Jack Scanlon (shoulder) and full-back Jack Reaper (knee) as significant absentees for the Bulldogs.

Saturday's preliminary final is scheduled for 3.10pm at the QEO.

BFNL preliminary final timetable:

Football

9am: under-16 Golden Square v Strathfieldsaye (grand final)

11am: under-18 Strathfieldsaye v Kangaroo Flat

1pm: reserves Eaglehawk v South Bendigo

3.10pm: seniors Eaglehawk v Gisborne

Netball

10.40am: B-reserve Eaglehawk v Sandhurst

Noon: B-grade Sandhurst v South Bendigo

1.20pm: under-17 Gisborne v Golden Square

2.40pm: A-reserve Gisborne v Kangaroo Flat

4pm: A-grade Kangaroo Flat v Eaglehawk

Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.