Panmure, South Rovers recall experienced players for final

The Lions welcome back playing assistant coach Tom Wilson from a foot injury to shore up their defence for the clash with the Bulldogs at Allansford Recreation Reserve.

Wilson was a late withdrawal for the win over Old Collegians in round 18 to ensure the former South Warrnambool player was 100 per cent ready to return.

Matheson said a decision on who will come out of the side will be made on Saturday with the Lions naming two emergencies for Sunday's clash.

Patrick Drake and Benjamin Cooper are the Lions' emergencies.

Matheson's final decision on the make up of his team will be based on Sunday's weather.

The Bureau of Meteorology predicts a 90 per cent chance of showers, mostly in the afternoon, and gusty winds.

The Bulldogs have recalled defender Matt Colbert and ruckman Kallan Melican for the do-or-die encounter.

Playing assistant coach Colbert, a former Warrnambool player who crossed to the club ahead of the cancelled 2020 season, was unavailable for last weekend's defeat to Russells Creek.

Melican is returning from a leg injury. He suffered a serious corkie in the defeat to Merrivale on July 31.

Sam Loveday and Bradley Cook were omitted for the elimination final.

Coach Chris Bant said the duo was unlucky to miss after playing most of the year but had to make way as the Bulldogs senior side returned to full strength.

The last time the two sides met the Bulldogs emerged victorious by 15 points in round four. Their second match in round 15 was called off due to a state-wide coronavirus lockdown.

Kolora-Noorat and Merrivale have both named unchanged line ups for Saturday's qualifying final at D.C Farran Oval.

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The Power will be without their experienced Melbourne-based quartet Jason Moloney, Ben Fraser, Jacob Mahony and Tom McKenzie again after the state capital's lockdown was extended earlier this week.

Ben Walsh's side enters the contest against Merrivale with confidence after smashing Timboon Demons to the tune of 161 points in round 18.

Young forward Ryley Hutchins continued his top form in front of the big sticks, kicking six majors.

The Tigers are also fresh off a comfortable victory themselves. Josh Sobey's side smashed Allansford by 120 points to leap into third spot and secure the double chance.

The last two times the Tigers have met the Power this season they have lost. Kolora-Noorat won by 69 points in round two and 42 when Collingwood legend Dane Swan played in round 11.

The last time Merrivale beat the Power was in round eight in 2016 when the Tigers claimed a one-point. victory.

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