Warragul: The Gulls midfield led by Ryan Davey, Nick Edney and Desi Barr is as potent as any in the competition when it is up and running.
Drouin: The young Hawks’ collective ability to run, cover a lot of ground and make contests out of anything, often wears opponents down.
Warragul: The performance of former EDFL best and fairest Matt Gray in the ruck is the key to Warragul’s onballers gaining first use of the ball and getting it quickly to its forwards. The big bloke’s form to date has been superb.
Drouin: Recruit Brent Mounsey has not fired at full forward yet but, if he can get enough possessions, he is capable of winning the game off his own boot.
Warragul: Who will step in to the onfield leadership role for the Gulls now that Ash Green’s season is over? Green has been directing traffic on the ground for a long time and it significantly changes the team’s dynamics to play without him.
Drouin: Whether Hawks coach Danny Murphy is fit and ready to fire. The former Gull has looked proppy to date and played off the interchange bench but against his old side he may just lift.
Warragul: Tiredness. Five of Warragul’s key players, led by Desi Barr and Ryan Davey, were in action during last weekend’s interleague campaign at Albury and if it is close at the death their legs may feel the effects.
Drouin: If resting ruckman Bob McCallum can dominate when he is forward, he will stretch Warragul’s defence and he has the ability to kick goals regularly.
Warragul looks to have an edge in class and experience across the ground and should get up by around four goals.
