East Point will start warm favourites at Marty Busch Recreation Reserve to progress into a grand final meeting with Melton when they take on reigning premiers Darley on Saturday.

The assignment for the Kangas however may not be as pedestrian as their last meet in Round 13 would suggest.

Expect up to as many as eight changes to the Devils line up from that outing with the inclusions of Brett Bewley (withdrew in warm-up), Billy Myers, Brady Wright (played 5 minutes), Mitch Ward, Zane Le Huray and (potentially) promising tall, Lucas Impey. Handy.

The Kangas will have afforded the Devils a forgive run on July 20, given those key outs in abhorrent conditions, just as Dan Jordan's army have moved on post their Round 1 domination of Joe Carmody's men, setting the stage for a highly anticipated do-or-die decider.

The stakes don't come much higher - a grand final berth for the winner, mad Monday lament for the loser.

The contest is laden with quality on every line - the margins small.

The midfield battle (comp rank #1 & #2 for clearance) sets up this game so well.

Can the Devils restrict the Kangas’ time spent in their potent front half? Effective exits out of stoppage will have its own say as both sides aim to quell recent turnover issues.

Weather permitting, recent numbers suggest we're in for a close one.

Sure, the Kangas have been a standout from Round 2 onwards but the wear and tear of an arduous BFNL season takes its toll on everyone.

The Kangas have played just 32 players this season, six fewer than Darley and seven fewer than Melton.

Sure, that's a healthy list but when you consider Saturday's preliminary final will be the Kangas’ sixth hit out in a row against top six opposition, durability will be challenged.

While the Kangas will need to go to the well again, you know what you're going to get with Carmody's exciting mix of talented youth and experience.

They will surely deliver on expectation, posing questions of their enigmatic opponents. 

Are you (Darley) capable of raising the bar when it counts most? What does this game mean to you?  Because it surely means everything to us.

All will be revealed on this unmissable Saturday showdown as both sides lay themselves bare and without excuse.

Let the players play.

PLAYER WATCH

Defenders
East Point: Jackson Merrett (#1) and Jacob Brown (#4) are the experience and cornerstone of the Kangas’ defence. Merrett is ranked first in the comp for uncontested marks, seventh for marks, fourth for kicks and eight for effective kicks. Merrett is the go-to distributor. Brown, not dissimilar to Merrett ranks fourth in the comp for effective kicks, seventh for kicks, sixth for marks and second for intercept marks. What is also worthy of note is Brown ranks 24th in the comp for handball receives.  

Darley: Matthew Brett (#11) Is ranked elite for intercept possessions (9.9), kicks (15.8), Marks (6.1) and 1%s (4.2). Ranks third in the comp for intercept marks.

Midfielders
East Point: Matty Johnston (#7) is the leading contested possession winner in the comp and ranks second for disposals (34.2) and clearances. Johnston also features in the top 10 for a host of other KPIs and ranks elite in all areas when the Kangas have possession of the ball. Mikitja Rottumah-Onus (#2) ranks among the top 25 in the comp for clearances, contested possessions, hard ball gets, ground ball, goal assists/involvements and handballs. 

Darley: Brett Bewley (#2) is ranked first in the comp for disposals (39.8) and clearances (10.3) while partner in crime Luther Baker (#7) ranks elite for disposals (24.7), and is found in the top 10 for centre clearances, contested possessions, and ground ball gets across the comp. 

Forwards
East Point: Bryson McDougall (#12) is second in the league for goals with 71. McDougall has taken more marks inside 50 than other player in the BFNL and ranks second for total contested marks. Teammate Strahan Robinson (#30) has 31 goals, ranks elite for contested marks and marks inside 50 (8th).

Darley: Brady Wright (#15) has 28 goals to his name and ranks third in the comp for contested marks and tenth for marks inside 50. Billy Myers (#10) has 32 goals as the Devils’ leading goalkicker with aerial presence and grunt. 

SCOOP’S TIP
East Point