SATURDAY’S Loddon Valley grand final between Pyramid Hill and Marong will be won in the midfield. 
And when it is won, it will either be a first flag in 74 years for the Bulldogs or a third-straight premiership for the Panthers. 
Despite both teams boasting potent forward lines and resolute defences, coaches Nathan Fitzpatrick and Linton Jacobs agree the onball battle will decide the outcome. 
This season, Pyramid Hill has inflicted Marong’s only two defeats in three years and will enter the grand final brimming with confidence after a 13-point win in the second semi-final. 
On the other hand, the Panthers come into the decider on a high after an 85-point shellacking of Bridgewater in the preliminary final. 
Pyramid Hill coach Nathan Fitzpatrick said the midfield with the better outside run, and which was able to translate that into goals would win the game. 
“The midfield with the ability to get out and get to the next contest can go forward and kick goals,” he said. 
Fitzpatrick said the Bulldogs’ long wait for premiership success was a factor in the run up to the grand final. 
“It’s in the back of your mind,” he said. “A lot of us have been around for a while.  
“We all know the history there, and the potential we have to be a part of history ourselves.” 
Marong’s coach Jacobs was full of praise for the Bulldogs.  
“They have recruited well again, and they’ve got more power through the stoppages and contests,” he said. 
“Who can win the midfield battle is key, and that seems to be their strength. If we can halve that battle, we’ll back in our forwards.” 
Jacobs said Marong’s mix of smalls and talls up forward gave the attack potency and flexibility. 
“We’ve got a good blend, and the smalls give us good pressure up there. We have got plenty of avenues to goal.” 
Marong will give midfielder and premiership captain Corey Gregg, who won the most votes for the club in the league best-and-fairest award, up until the last minute to prove his fitness after injuring a calf against Bridgewater. 
“He’s pretty optimistic,” Jacobs said. “It was almost like a cramp. He’s been a really good player for a long time, so we’ll wait and see.” 
Pyramid Hill and Marong will also clash in the reserves grand final, while the Panthers’ under 18 side will take on East Loddon. 
All three Marong teams had to come through the preliminary final to reach the deciders, to be played at Mitiamo.
When Pyramid Hill took on Marong in last year’s grand final, the siren margin was 16 points.
Fast forward 12 months, another epic encounter looms.