Defending division one champions St Patrick’s College and Loreto College are once again looking like the ones to beat.

St Pat’s in particular has been untouchable throughout its the lead-up regattas with the imposing crew eyeing not only victory on Sunday, but state-level success.

While Loreto has clearly been the benchmark in girls, not by the same margin as St Pat’s but nonetheless it will enter as favourites.

Loreto College firsts co-captains Molly Grech and Laura Foley enjoyed last year’s maiden success on the lake. Both girls are hoping Sunday will bring that same winning feeling and said the crew’s preparation could not have been better.

“We’ve really enjoyed this season and we are looking for that same feeling again, but on the day it’s anyone’s race,” Foley said.

“We know we’ve prepared and we just have to stay really calm and trust the other members of our crew, whatever happens, happens, but we know we’ve done the work.”

“As a crew, we’ve come together really well and are definitely enjoying ourselves on the water,” Grech added.

“Laura and I have rowed together through all of our seasons and we’re just excited about how good the new members of the crew are.”

Meanwhile, St Patrick’s College will be hoping to cross the line in first place and claim yet another victory, although this time with a little less controversy.

The 2017 Head of the Lake will be remembered for boys division one winner being decided by a re-row on the following Wednesday after St Patrick’s College’s cox weighed in two kilograms short of the minimum 55 kilogram requirement.

Nonetheless, firsts member James Crilly said this year’s crew had plenty of confidence going into the race.

“(The good results) leading into Head of the Lake gives us confidence that we can do it...(but) other crews can pull out their best on Head of the Lake – anything can happen.”