It could be the key to the premiership cup.

In recent BFL seasons the easy route into the grand final has not always been the best one: the winning preliminary finalist in the past two grand finals has beaten the team that earned the week off from the second semi.

Nunn said the prospect of a tough preliminary final on a wet, heavy ground, though, meant Saturday's victor would be in the box seat this year.

''The week off will be a massive advantage if the preliminary final is on a wet ground,'' he said at yesterday's BFL press conference.

''This year there is no guarantee of going through to the grand final against either Redan or Sunbury.''

To get to this second semi final, second placed Lake Wendouree had arguably the tougher task, knocking off top of the table Sunbury, while third-placed Ballarat needed to get past sixth-placed East Point.

On the other hand, the Lakers played on Clarke Oval, which is in fine condition, while the Dahlsens Swans had to wade through the mud at High Mountain Eastern Oval.

Nunn was less sure which of the teams had enjoyed the easier run into this Saturday's match.

''One got to the final playing against the top side, but in this competition there are no easy games,'' Nunn mused.

''Who has the advantage? We're in the same position this week.

''Playing on the Eastern Oval last weekend probably helps us a bit, because we've been able to familiarise ourselves with it. The middle where it is caked with mud doesn't help anyone.

''We trained on Dahlsen's Park (Tuesday) night. It is really heavy so that probably helped. It was only a half an hour session to get a wet footy in the hand a bit. We'll train (Thursday) night and have another light session.''

Lake Wendouree's Ben Reus said his team would also take to the mud to acclimatise for Saturday.

''We haven't trained at home (Wendouree Reserve) for seven weeks. On Thursday we will have a good little hit out on the ground though to get used to muddy conditions.''