Sebastopol linchpins Luke Kiel and Michael Powell are poised to line up against Melton in the Ballarat Football League preliminary final at the City Oval on Saturday.
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Each missed the Burra's thrilling seven-point win over Redan in Sunday's first semi-final - Kiel with illness and Powell with an ankle injury.
Kiel had been given the all-clear to play after being concussed the previous week, but withdrew on match day with an unrelated issue.
Sebastopol coach Leigh Hutchinson told a BFL press conference on Wednesday that Kiel would "definitely" play.
And on Powell: "We're pretty hopeful he'll get up for the game. We're expecting him to play."
Hutchinson said Powell would be given plenty of time to prove his fitness, with a call being made as late as Saturday morning if neccessary.
Powell looked like his season might be over when he landed awkwardly in the qualifying final, with initial fears he might have suffered a fractured ankle.
However, his recovery had been encouraging and he was walking unaided while watching Sebastopol at Wendouree at the weekend.
Kiel is one of the Burra's best and most influencial midfielders, while Powell is important to its forward structure.
Sebastopol's hopes of getting back Brett Goodes (calf), who was injured at training on Thursday, and James Keeble (hamstring) remain up in the air.
Hutchinson described their chances of playing as 50-50.
Melton coach Aaron Tymms is looking at most likely making just the one change to the side which lost the second semi-final to East Point.
He is set to recall teenager Ben McMahon, who was rested after suffering concussion in the first week of finals.
While Tymms said there were no major injuries out Saturday, Lachlan Hickey (hamstring) is of some concern.
Ruckman Ben Archard was inconvenienced with arm soreness, but will play.
Tymms said he had put the Bloods through a solid session on Tuesday night and expected everyone on the track on Thursday.
Sebastopol goes into this encounter having had the wood on Melton this season with two wins, by Marty Busach Reserve and 19 points at MacPherson Park