The Burras have got the better of the ledger since 2009, winning four of the six finals meetings between the two clubs.

Of biggest note, Hepburn upset the previously undefeated Buninyong in a qualifying final back in 2013 before going on to beat them again in the decider.

There's been four preliminary final meetings between the two sides in the last 10 years, with the teams split at two wins apiece.

Saturday's semi-final battle at Wallace will see the Bombers favoured to beat the Burras, which they did by 29 points in the only previous meeting of 2019 back in round eight.

Coach Shaun O'Loughlin and his men are fronting off a 71-point thrashing at the hands of Waubra last weekend, while Clive Raak's Burras were made to work hard to beat a gallant Skipton by 33 points.

Raak confirmed on Friday that star player Andy McKay would return from a knee injury and play his first game since late June this afternoon.

The winner of this encounter will move through to a preliminary final showdown against Newlyn next weekend.

On Sunday at Buninyong, reigning premiers Beaufort will look to keep the bid for back-to-back flags alive when it meets Gordon.

The Crows were pushed but eventually got over Springbank in a knockout final last weekend, the same day as the Eagles were well handled by the Cats at the City Oval.

In the previous battle between the teams in round eight, Gordon beat Beaufort by 37 points.