Outplayed in every facet, the BFL went down by 38 points in the playoff for the No.1 ranking.

But that was three years ago and Ballarat coach Shane Skontra says his side is as ready as ever to try and knock off the powerhouse that is the GVFL.

With an arsenal of young players, one of the least experienced ever assembled for the BFL, Skontra said there were no demons to speak of from the crushing defeat in 2011.

“There was only one player that played that day (Adam Sewell), so there’s no scars or anything of that nature,” Skontra said.

“I’ve seen the video of that game, I saw what worked and didn’t work so we take a little bit out of it but otherwise it’s not something to really focus on.”

Coming up against the powerful Goulburn Valley side, which was ranked No.1 in Victoria in 2010, 2011 and 2012, Skontra said it was crucial his side worked together.

“They’ve got lots of depth, there’s no doubt they’ve got lots of height and plenty of quality in the midfield, all through their lines they are a good unit,” he said.

“We’ll be very collective and very intense in our pressure.”

The winner of the match will advance to next year’s playoff against either the Geelong or Peninsula 

football league’s.

The loser will drop back to the match between the fifth and sixth-ranked sides.

“It means a lot for the league, where you establish yourself for the rankings is where the outsider sees you as a league itself,” Skontra said.

“The older guys will need to establish themselves on the ground and help the younger players out who haven’t played interleague.”

patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au