Qualifying Final (2.30pm Saturday 31 August @ Victor Harbor)

Reigning premier Langhorne Creek start their quest for back-to-back flags when they clash with Mount Compass in the Qualifying Final tomorrow at Victor Harbor. Mount Compass have been waiting nearly 12 months for a chance to bounce back from going out in ‘straight sets’ in the 2018 finals series after finishing minor premier, while Langhorne Creek have come home with a rush this season winning their past eight matches after looking decidedly shaky at 5-5 after 10 rounds. There are star players everywhere for both sides with Mount Compass having a very potent forward line featuring Tom Pinyon (112 goals) and Ziggy Vitkunas (72 goals) providing great targets for the Bulldogs midfield. Langhorne Creek are well led by former Glenelg, Adelaide and Melbourne player James Sellar who finished tied for second in the Mail Medal. He is ably supported by Caleb Howell and Jarrad Kellock who have both booted 42 goals this season. It promises to be a fantastic game in fine conditions. Toss of the coin to pick a winner. My tip...Langhorne Creek by one point.

Elimination Final (2.30pm Sunday 1 September @ Langhorne Creek)

McLaren Eagles face off against the Victor Harbor Kangaroos in the cut-throat Elimination Final at Langhorne Creek on Sunday. The Eagles had a great run during the 2018 finals series going all the way to the Grand Final before going down to Langhorne Creek. They’ll have to do it the hard way this year but that experience could stand them in good stead. It will be Victor Harbor’s first trip to the major round since 2015, a bit of a drought for the 24-time premiers. The Kangaroos had the chance to win the minor premiership with three rounds remaining but amazingly slipped to fifth spot after losing their last three matches of the minor round including a 29-point loss in round 16 to McLaren. McLaren will need to control Sam Basham (70 goals) and Luke Davey (57 goals) who have been very dangerous along with playing coach Clint Alleway. Max Wakefield has had a very good first season for the Eagles with 47 goals and Brett Ellis capped off an excellent minor round campaign by finishing tied for second in the Mail Medal with James Sellar. Another excellent match-up which could easily go either way. My tip...McLaren by 10 points.