TITLE CHASE: Grammar's Isobel Cleary and captain Zoe Nevett are determined to again complete the BAS and state double. Picture: Lachlan Bence

BALLARAT Grammar School's defence of the Herald Sun Senior Girls’ Shield will take place on a grand stage and the girls can hardly wait.

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The Grammar will meet Methodist Ladies’ College in a curtain-raiser to the AFL clash between Carlton and North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

It's an exciting prospect for the defending champions, which held MLC scoreless in a crushing grand final win last year. However, Grammar coach Matt Hanlon is expecting a much tougher decider this time around against what he beleives is a much-improved rival.

"They've improved a hell of a lot. They are a lot better users of the footy and (put) a lot more pressure on the ball carrier, so we are not going to roll up and expect a walkover like last year," Hanlon said.

Hanlon said his squad's depth was "unreal".

"We've got seven on the interchange and any of those seven could play anywhere else on the ground, but we are just fortunate we've got a really good, strong group of 18. We are confident in our ability, but we are going to have to compete pretty hard against a rapidly-improving MLC, which have got 2000 girls to pick from."

Hanlon said the chance of playing the 2015 grand final at a Melbourne AFL venue was flagged before the start of the campaign and had been a "nice little carrot to have dangling over our head all season".

Grammar's team will include four sets of sisters, while captain Zoe Nevett is the niece of AFL legend Tony Lockett. Reigning Stawell Women's Gift champion Grace Dwyer is also part of the side.

Saturday's match is set to get underway from 4.55pm.

The Grammar squad:

Zoe Nevett* (Year 12) midfielder

Amelia Dunn* (Year 12) midfielder

Isobel Cleary* (Year 12) defender

Jordyn Gilmore* (Year 12) onballer

Isobel Fay (Year 12) defender

Caitlin Butler (Year 12) forward

Bec Johns (Year 12) forward/ruck

Kat O’Dwyer* (Year 12) onballer

Kate Jackson* (Year 12) defender

Georgie McKay (Year 12) defender