READ MORE - All set for only the BFNL's third grand final trilogy between Storm and Hawks

2.20pm Saturday at QEO.

Third grand final in a row between the Storm and Hawks, with both having won a flag apiece against each other the past two years.

The Storm heads into Saturday with an ominous look to them given not only their form, but a list that is in such good shape coach Troy Coates anticipates there being as many as 15 players who will miss out on a game in their reserves, who are also in the grand final.

Driven by the hunger of last year's grand final loss to Eaglehawk, the Storm have been a juggernaut in 2019 - 18 wins from 19 games, with their only defeat an 18-point loss to the Hawks in round 10.

Since that sole loss in June the Storm have won nine on the trot by an average of 111 points, which includes a 72-point demolition of the Hawks in the second semi-final a fortnight ago.

Although comprehensively beaten, the second semi-final loss is the only defeat the Hawks have suffered in their past 14 games.

Cracking the stingy Strathfieldsaye defence that has conceded an average of just 46 points per game shapes as one of the biggest challenges for the Hawks, who were held to just three goals in the second semi-final and only eight in their round one loss to the Storm.

On the flipside, they have proven they can put the Storm defence under pressure having kicked 14 goals in their round 10 victory.

Getting out of the blocks is also going to be imperative for the Hawks given they have trailed the Storm by 23, 14 and 38 points at quarter-time in their three meetings so far and been forced to play catch-up.

Both teams know each other so well having played each other 14 times in the past four seasons for an 8-6 split in favour of the Hawks, who have been the only club in recent years to regularly beat the Storm.

As for the two coaches - Strathfieldsaye's Coates and Eaglehawk's Travis Matheson - they know each other extremely well also, having co-coached back-to-back premierships together at Kerang in 2015 and 2016.

ROUND 1

The season-opening grand final re-match at Tannery Lane was done and dusted by half-time.

The Storm kicked eight goals to one in the first half to lead by 42 points at the main break.

The Hawks narrowly outscored the Storm 7.7 to 6.9 after the break, but the damage had been well and truly done in the first hour.

Lachlan Sharp booted six goals for the Storm.

Strathfieldsaye 14.14 (98) def Eaglehawk 8.12 (60).

Michelsen Medal: 3 - Sam Heavyside (Strath); 2 - Hugh Robertson (Strath); 1 - Lachlan Sharp (Strath).

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ROUND 10

The first - and still only - loss of the season the Storm have suffered as the Hawks prevailed by 18 points at Canterbury Park.

Eaglehawk trailed by 28 points during the second quarter - the Hawks' cause hot helped by one stage having 1.8 on the board.

By three quarter-time the Hawks were back within a point, before kicking four goals to one in the final term to run right over the top of the visitors.

Eaglehawk 14.14 (98) def Strathfieldsaye 11.14 (80).

Michelsen Medal: 3 - Dillon Williams (Eh); 2 - Gedd Hommelhoff (Eh); 1 - Hugh Robertson (Strath).

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SECOND SEMI-FINAL

Much like round one, the Storm put the Hawks to the sword early.

The Storm raced to a 38-point lead at quarter-time, 6.3 to 0.1, and by the final siren the Hawks had just three goals on the board and were on the end of a 72-point belting, ending their 12-game winning streak.

Strathfieldsaye 14.16 (100) def Eaglehawk 3.10 (28).

STRATHFIELDSAYE

Record: 18-1, 314.2%

Average for: 145

Average against: 46

Quarters won: 64 of 76

Time in front: 97.4%

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EAGLEHAWK

Record: 17-4, 183.6%

Average for: 111

Average against: 60

Quarters won: 57 of 84

Time in front: 66.7%

Luke West (83):

Strathfieldsaye (24)

Nalder Medal - Sam Heavyside (Strathfieldsaye).

Adam Bourke (82):

Strathfieldsaye (15).

Nalder Medal - Hugh Robertson (Strathfieldsaye).

Richard Jones (81):

Strathfieldsaye (37)

Nalder Medal - Sam Heavyside (Strathfieldsaye).

Kieran Iles (76):

Strathfieldsaye (17)

Nalder Medal - Shannon Geary (Strathfieldsaye)

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11.50am Saturday at QEO.

Strathfieldsaye heads into the reserves grand final as the raging hot favourites.

The Storm haven't been beaten this year and boast an average winning margin of 88 points, with their side featuring five players who have been part of senior premierships - Jayden Donaldson, Lachlan Bonney, Brad Rohde, Harry Crone and Jordan Wilson.

Hopefully, the Bloods still have a bit left in the tank after clawing their way through from the elimination final.

Season meetings:

Round 8 - Strathfieldsaye 9.8 (62) def South Bendigo 8.7 (55).

Round 17 - Strathfieldsaye 12.13 (85) def South Bendigo 3.6 (24).

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9.15am Saturday at QEO.

An opportunity for Kangaroo Flat to win its first under-18 premiership, while the Dragons will be hoping it's a case of fourth time lucky having lost the past three grand finals.

Only one point in it last time the two sides met in round 10.

Season meetings:

Round 1 - Sandhurst 11.15 (81) def Kangaroo Flat 6.8 (44).

Round 10 - Sandhurst 5.8 (38) def Kangaroo Flat 5.7 (37).

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A GRADE

Sandhurst v Kangaroo Flat - 3pm

Last time - Sandhurst 41 d Kangaroo Flat 27.

A RESERVE

Sandhurst v Kangaroo Flat - 1.30pm

Last time - Sandhurst 57 d Kangaroo Flat 45.

B GRADE

Kangaroo Flat v Sandhurst - 10.30am

Last time - Kangaroo Flat 51 d Sandhurst 41.

B RESERVE

Strathfieldsaye v Eaglehawk - 9am

Last time - Strathfieldsaye 44 d Eaglehawk 33.

UNDER-17

Sandhurst v Golden Square - noon

Last time - Sandhurst 43 d Golden Square 20.

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