This season’s Ballarat Cricket Association first grade grand final, to take place over the next two weekends, will be the Lions first taste of a grand final.

But captain-coach Heath Pritchard says if the team sticks to its formula, that has produced a breakthrough season, it will be hard to beat.

A clear part of that formula is the batsmen holding up their end of the bargain – which they have done with great success this season.

Darley has made at least 200 runs in all but one of its seven two-day matches this season and against the impressive Red Caps it will need to do so once more.

Pritchard said the club had looked to keep the week as normal as possible and there was a sense of anticipation and excitement rather than nerves.

"Getting over the weekend was really good. There's always parts in finals where the game fluctuates and to get over those on the weekend gave the boys a fair bit of confidence and I think its more anticipation now,” Pritchard told The Courier.

"We've got a pretty simple formula that we try and follow with our cricket...if we follow our formula and play our roles - we haven't lost a game when we've done that. It's all good in theory, (but) whatever happens happens you've just got to roll with the punches.”

Pritchard acknowledged the strong line-up Wendouree has at its disposal, but he felt the two best sides would battle it our for the premiership.

On the only occasion the two sides met this season, Wendouree posted an imposing 4-307. The Lions fell 84 runs short as it ended its 80 overs at 8-223.

The Red Caps have scored nearly 300 more runs than its nearest rival over the course of the season, with the likes of Heath Pyke, Matthew Begbie and Liam Brady set to be key scalps for the Lions.

Pritchard knows its grand final opponent is a strong one, but understands where his side’s strengths lie and is ready to tackle the Red Caps.

"(We were) first and second on the ladder after the season finished, so I suppose you could say the two best teams made it.

"We're under no illusions Wendouree are a good cricket side. So it's exciting, and it's exciting for us because we haven't been there before.

"We want to go in with the attitude that we'll put our best foot forward and we'll be ok.

"Two great sides and the best side will win over the next two weekends. They've got some very experienced players...and their batting is a real strength of theirs, but by the same token we've batted really well this year.

"And we think we've got a fairly balanced attack as well - I think all the ingredients are there for a really good game of cricket.