GIPPSLAND Power and the Oakleigh Chargers will play off in the TAC Cup Grand Final on Sunday, with draft hopefuls on both sides keen to help their team to victory while also pressing their claims for selection at this year's NAB AFL Draft.
Power skipper Tim Membrey looms as a key figure on the back of an eight-goal performance in his team's narrow preliminary win against Sandringham, along with teammate Nick Graham, who was recently awarded the Morrish Medal.
Membrey, a powerfully built full-forward, took his season's goal tally to 41 with the best afield effort, but his coach, former Carlton onballer Nick Stevens, says he's more than just a goal kicker.
"His game on the weekend was first class. Yes, he kicked the eight goals, but it was more about his chasing, his tackling and the way that he led from the front," Stevens said.
"He gets around to his teammates at training, he's a really well respected guy amongst the group, and he's going to be a good AFL player, no doubt.
"I have a lot of [AFL] recruiters ask me, 'Can we get him up the ground?', and there have been times when he's played in our midfield and done an outstanding job and actually turned games."
Stevens also has high hopes for Tiwi Islander Anthony Tipungwuti, who has elevated his game after missing out on selection at last year's national and rookie drafts.
"He's had an outstanding year … his year compared to last year has just been first class," he said.
"He's worked really hard on his fitness, he's got himself in really good shape and his skills are as good as I've seen for a kid of that age.
"I compare him to a Chris Yarran or an Eddie Betts at the same age … I think this boy's got as much talent and I really hope that he gets the opportunity because he's worked hard and he deserves a chance at AFL football."
The Chargers, who will be aiming to go one better after being defeated by Sandringham in the 2011 TAC Cup decider, have their own blue-chip draft prospects in prolific midfielder Jackson Macrae and versatile key position player Kristian Jacksch.
"We've been really pleased with Kristian's development," Chargers coach Justin Wenke said.
"We've played him as a key defender … [but] he's a great contested mark and he can play at both ends of the ground.
"He's got a great work rate and a will to improve. I think having that versatility is a great strength. He can play at either end of the ground - he can play on a quality [forward] or can go forward and kick goals - we can flick the switch when we need to and he offers the team great value."
The TAC Cup Grand Final is the curtain raiser for the VFL premiership decider between Port Melbourne and Geelong, with Port coach Gary Ayres, who is aiming to oversee back-to-back titles, confident several of his players have the ability to make it at AFL level.
"This year guys like Jason Williams, who had a little bit of an interrupted second half of the year with a hamstring problem, I think he's probably our most talented kid on our list at the moment," Ayres said.
"Mitch Woofindin has done absolutely everything right this year to come under the gaze of the recruiters. I think it's been pretty important for him to play consistently at VFL level.
"Dan Noonan is another one who I've had a few calls from [recruiters about] because I'm not sure there's a real lot of tall key defenders out there."
The TAC Cup Grand Final starts at 10:30am at Etihad Stadium with the VFL Grand Final to follow at 2:15pm.