Brennan headlines three key changes for Ballarat, with Chris Thornton and Daniel Kennedy also returning from injury.

Joshua Crawford, Damien Larkin and James Quayle are the unlucky trio to be left out of the grand final side.

Swans coach Ash Baker told The Courier after selection on Thursday night that the three inclusions had all passed a fitness test with flying colours and were certainties to run out on to Eastern Oval.

Brennan has missed the last two matches with a back injury, Thornton has not played a final this year due to a hamstring complaint and Kennedy was a late withdrawal last week.

“They’re all definitely right to go,” Baker said.

“They all seemed pretty right on Tuesday night and it was just a matter of getting through Thursday and they were great.”

Baker said nobody would be subject to any late fitness tests before Ballarat’s crack at winning its first flag since 2008.

For reigning premier North City, grand final selection has again forced the brains trust to choose between brothers for the biggest game of the year.

Brendan Howard comes into the side after recovering from a rolled ankle, although younger brother Sam has been selected as first emergency.

Adam Turley misses out, despite playing 15 senior matches this season.

The elder Howard missed just one game with a rolled ankle, while Sam has not played since round 14 with a hamstring injury.

“Brendan was good as gold, he would’ve played last week if we had played,” North City coach Rob Waters said.

“Sam just hasn’t played enough footy. He was flying in the reserves last week but we couldn’t risk him.”

The sibling selection drama follows last year’s grand final side in which Mitch Jenkins came in for younger brother, Clay.

Both Mitch and Clay Jenkins are named to play on Saturday.

The Ballarat Football League grand final gets under way at Eastern Oval at 2.30pm.

SELECTED SIDES

NORTH BALLARAT CITY

B: Daniel Jones, Jordan Harrison, Brendan Howard

HB: Mitchell Jenkins, Ryan Hobbs, Ryan Luke

C: Joshua  Bromley-Lynch, Jarryd  Graham, Simon  Mc Cartin

HF: Michael Todd, Marc Greig, Shaun Lyle

F: Derick Micallef, Marcus Darmody, Keenan George

R: Tristan Cartledge, Ayden George, Jason McNamara

Int: Clay Jenkins, Jarrod Edwards, Jayden Orr, Mitchell Gilbert

Emg: Adam Turley, Mitchell Johns, Charles Murrie, Samuel Howard

In: Brendan Howard

Out: Adam Turley

BALLARAT

B: Daniel Kennedy, James Lukich, Adam Sewell

HB: Mitchell Martin, Nigel Otto, Sam Caldow

C: Chris  Thornton, Thomas  Stapleton, Matt  Dawson

HF: Luke Brennan, Christopher Prockter, Shane Hutchinson

F: Ashley Baker, Rex Hickman, Tristan May

R: Samuel Conroy, Liam Youl, Lachlan Cassidy

Int: Myles Sewell, Nicholas O'Farrell, Nicholas Garner, William McGregor

Emg: Joshua Crawford, Rhys Otto, Mark Nunn, James Quayle, Damien Larkin

In: Daniel Kennedy, Chris Thornton, Luke Brennan

Out: Joshua Crawford, James Quayle, Damien Larkin