North Warrnambool Eagles skipper Jordan Dillon eager to avenge 2016 grand final defeat in 2019 decider

The club, vying for its maiden Hampden league senior flag, had Koroit on the ropes early at Reid Oval.

A 30-point quarter-time lead had the Eagles' confidence sky high.

But their field of dreams soon became a nightmare as the Saints kicked 12 goals to three thereafter to run away with a 33-point victory and the 2016 premiership cup.

The Eagles get their chance to avenge that result on Saturday when they meet Koroit in the decider, having climbed from bottom place last season to minor premier in 2019.

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Second-year captain Jordan Dillon believes the Bushfield-based club has the belief and playing list to deliver long-suffering fans a flag.

"Most of the boys who played in it (in 2016) know it goes up another level," he said.

"They are ready to take it on and meet the challenge head on.

"The older blokes will take the younger blokes under their wing and encourage them to take the game on."

Dillon, 29, credited the Eagles' remarkable turnaround this season to new coach Adam Dowie, the recruitment of former players such as Billie Smedts, Darcy Keast, Tom O'Leary and Sam McLachlan and the efforts ex-mentor Graeme Twaddle made to blood young players during his final season.

"We've got some more enthusiasm around the joint and 'Snooks' (Twaddle) last year did a good job playing a lot of the kids and getting them up to speed," he said.

The ruck-forward, who has kicked a career-high 23 goals this season, said he was proud to captain the club, describing himself as someone who leads by his actions.

He will share the ruck duties with Ben Mugavin, who is likely to start in the middle.

They will have to negate Koroit's Jeremy Hausler and Rhys Raymond.

"I think it will be pretty important. We need to help the boys (our midfielders) out in the centre a bit more than we did at Mortlake (in the second semi-final)," Dillon said.

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