Check out the players to watch and our NFNL Division 1 grand final predictions

Can Heidelberg make it a premiership three-peat or will Montmorency finally end its 45-year drought? Check out the players to watch and our predictions.

Heidelberg and Montmorency prepare to do battle for the NFNL Division 1 premiership.

The dominant power and the Cinderella story.

Heidelberg will chase a third straight NFNL Division 1 premiership on Saturday, looking to cap another dominant season.

Montmorency hopes to end a 45-year drought and break its Preston City Oval curse in its first grand final since 2013.

The Tigers have swept all before them in the past three seasons.

For the second straight year they lost just one home-and-away match and on Wednesday night earned a clean sweep of major awards - Luke Bunker winning the Coaches’ MVP and Tom Keys taking home the Rosbrook Medal.

TALENT: SEE THE NFNL DIVISION 1 TOP 40 PLAYERS HERE

Having scraped through with a two-point win over Greensborough in the preliminary final, the Magpies will hope that trend doesn’t continue.

Nash Holmes earned the most Rosbrook votes but was suspended and also finished second in the MVP.

Heidelberg has the wood on its great rival this season, winning all three match-ups by one point, 28 points and 32 points.

However, Montmorency is one of only two clubs to knock off the rampaging Tigers in the past two seasons and also took a draw.

This should be a cracker.

Luke Bunker celebrates a goal for Heidelberg. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Marcus Lentini gets a kick for Montmorency. Picture: Andy Brownbill

KEY MATCH-UPS

LUKE BUNKER v MARCUS LENTINI

The old Coburg VFL teammates are highly likely to stand beside each other again at the opening centre bounce. Both are proven ball-winners but can also put the stoppers on opposition with a big tackle or timely clearance when the momentum isn’t going their way. Bunker won the Division 1 Coaches’ MVP this year and Lentini was the receipiant last season. Who ever wins this battle could be the grand final MVP too.

BEN DE BOLFO v AYHAN BAJRAMOV

After eight games at VFL level with Box Hill, de Bolfo returned to the Tigers’ line-up for the last four games. He’s been an absolute wall across half-back, which is no surprise, and was in the best in the semi-final win over Montmorency. Bajramov has the physical ability to be a threat and keep de Bolfo honest. He finished the season with 26 goals but was held off the scoresheet in the semi-final loss and preliminary final win.

NATHAN HONEY v BILLY JENKIN

Whether in the midfield or up forward, one of the most dangerous players in the Heidelberg squad. He hasn’t been at his best in three previous meetings with Monty this season but is capable of winning matches off his own boot, highlighted by his 10-goal performance against Hurstbridge. Meanwhile, there’s arguably no hotter played in the Magpies’ line-up heading into the grand final. Best-on-ground performances in the semi-final and preliminary final have Jenkin ready for a big game. Was superb as stand-in captain in the preliminary final and will toss the coin if Stef Uzelac doesn’t come up.

TOM KEYS v STEF UZELAC

The big question heading into Saturday, can Stef Uzelac play to his usual dominant self. If he walks back to defence he could have the big job of shutting down Rosbrook Medallist Tom Keys. Keys clearly enjoys facing the Magpies, earning a mention in the Tigers’ best in all three of match-ups this season. If Uzelac isn’t ready for centre half-back duties, he could be a surprise forward and use his marking ability and strength to give his club an added weapon.

LACHIE WILSON v NASH HOLMES

This would be worth the price of admission alone. The 2023 Rosbrook Medallist against the man who polled the most votes this season but was ineligible. Having dominated in the VFL for Richmond, Wilson returned to the Tigers just in time for finals and showed all his class in a blistering semi-final performance. Holmes is equally capable of owning the big stage, he was the grand final medallist in last year’s EDFL Division 1 premiership with Deer Park. In a superb campaign, he’ll be keen to get at least one medal.

Lachlan Wilson in action during last year’s NFNL Division 1 grand final. Picture: Andy Brownbill

X-FACTOR

BRAYDEN SIER: Early season injuries have limited the former Collingwood AFL-listed gun to 11 games this season but he’s been red-hot in the run home and loves the big stage. Has kicked seven goals in his past three games and eight in total in three games against Monty. Big and strong and capable of doing damage either in midfield or up forward.

LACHLAN BATCHELOR: Montmorency needs offence if it is to beat Heidelberg, the club hasn’t scored more than 60 points in the past two games against the Tigers and neither the preliminary final last week. Youngster Batchelor can be that spark. He bagged three goals in the preliminary final win over Greensborough to spearhead his club into the decider. He’s kicked 19 goals in 16 senior appearances.

EXPECTED LINE-UPS

Both clubs will have their senior and reserve grade teams in action on Saturday, so it’s open slather - points dependent - at selection. Heidelberg also has its under-19s in action so, theoretically, nobody should miss out on a game.

However, the senior side will be an interesting watch, especially with the Tigers’ points congestion. They made six changes for the semi-final - Jack Andrew, Dylan Clarke, Jess Gedi, Sean Martin, Jonathan Tomasiello and Lachlan Wilson - coming in. The likes of Noah Barnes, Joel Kleiman, Zavier Maher, Jack McInerney, Jordan Sutterby and Sam Wright would be “extremely stiff to miss”. Coach Vinny Dattoli said the club was “extremely healthy” and able to pick its best points side but like not best best side. Sutterby, Kellan Smith, Ryan Howarth and Josh Campbell were among the best in the preliminary final.

The Magpies, meanwhile, had a real headache on their heads. Not captain Stef Uzelac, he’ll be given until the final minute to prove his fitness after a hamstring injury a fortnight ago. No, legendary forward Patty Fitzgerald. He was a surprise omission for the preliminary final and didn’t get a chance to prove himself with the Magpies’ reserves winning straight through a week before. Northern Knights-listed young guns Aaron Doyle and Jordyn Gillard came in for the prelim. Other than Uzelac and Fitzgerald don’t expect any other chances.

Nick Rutley announced as Montmorency coach.

Heidelberg coach Vinny Dattoli. Picture: Andy Brownbill

COACH’S SAY

Vinny Dattoli (Heidelberg): Fortunately, we’re extremely healthy. However, there’s picking our best side and then picking our best points side. Whoever misses out is going to be extremely stiff. I always believe, in footy today, that the midfield has the most significant say in the result. The midfield battle will be a heavy focus. We believe internally that our back six is among the best in the competition. If ours mids and backs can do what they do then we’ll give our forwards plenty of opportunity to kick it between the big sticks.

Nick Rutley (Montmorency): Stef Uzelac will come back, I’m not going into battle without my captain. I honestly think the game will be decided in the coaches’ box. I don’t know if anyone has really made him coach - who’s tested him? - he’s lost two games in two seasons. The way the competition talks about Heidelberg, we put on it on a pedestal. I’m not declaring we’re going to win but we’re going to throw everything at it. I really do rate the way Vinny goes about it and I’m excited to coach against him. I’m really embracing everything and I can’t wait for the (grand final) breakfast to talk footy with him.

VERDICT

Is is as simple as Heidelberg by how much?

No, of course not. We’re not disrespecting Montmorency like that.

If any team has troubled the Tigers in the past two years it’s been the Magpies.

However, there’s a critical factor in the two-time reigning premier’s favour - a week off.

Montmorency are banged up after three difficult finals, while their rival is fresh.

Stranger things have happened in grand finals at Preston City Oval, Monty knows this better than any one.

Bring on Saturday.

PREDICTION: Heidelberg by 18 points