The loss of Todd Finco, Zak Bozanich, Andrew Challis and James Thompson, means the sixth-placed Tigers go from favourites to defeat Waubra, to underdogs.

READ MORE SPORT:

Bozanich has been in superb form during the second-half of the season specifically, finishing the regular season equal fourth on the goalkicking leaderboard with 32 majors.

Challis, a playing assistant coach, has been a steadying figure on the field for Springbank.

Thompson has been one of the most consistent performers all season, polling strongly in The Courier's Central Highlands player of the year award.

Finco has found form, along with the team, in the second-half of the season, proving his ability to impact games both around the ground and on the scoreboard.

The Tigers' opponent, Waubra, has had better luck at the selection table.

Captain Austin Murphy, Geordie Lukich and Lincoln Barnes will return for Sunday's clash.

Jed Knights will also make his senior debut for the club.

Hepburn will be without Alan Ware for its clash with Rokewood-Corindhap on Sunday.

The defender, a day after breaking the club's senior games played record, had surgery on his back.

The Grasshoppers will welcome back key defender Leigh Ryall and half-forward Jack Buttler.

It's a contrast of CHFL history coming up against each other in the clash.

Second-placed Hepburn is the most successful club in the league's history, winning nine premierships, it's most recent coming in 2017 against Beaufort.

Rokewood-Corindhap is the new comers, readying itself for its first finals series since joining the competition in 2011.

Gordon's Ethan Crackel will once again not feature for Gordon due to living in Melbourne, the same issue facing small forward Shannon Byrnes.

The Eagles' opponent, Dunnstown, will welcome back Joel Williams for the Saturday qualifying final at Learmonth.

Skipton welcomes back some senior players to sure up its 22 for its clash with Buninyong on Saturday at Waubra.

Bailey McKimmie (ankle), Ben Krol (knee) and Daniel Kilpatrick (ankle) will all return from injury as the Emus aim to go one better than their elimination final defeat to Hepburn in 2019.

All of the games will be live streamed across the two days.

The Courier will bring you all the action from Buninyong versus Skipton on Saturday from 2:20pm, Ollie Nash and Johno Leoncini lined up to commentate.

Buninyong versus Learmonth A-grade netball will be live streamed on Saturday too, from 2:30pm.

On Sunday, we will bring you the Hepburn versus Rokewood-Corindhap qualifying final from 2:20pm. Nash and David Brehaut will provide comments throughout the broadcast.

Beaufort versus Gordon A-grade netball will be live streamed on Sunday too from 2:30pm.

GameFace will be broadcasting Gordon versus Dunnstown on Saturday and Springbank versus Waubra on Sunday on its Facebook page.

It has been a long, rocky road to the CHFL finals series after 17 weeks and three separate lockdowns.

Along with the team news, there are storylines aplenty in the top eight.

Gordon, the unbeaten minor premier, fighting for its first premiership since 1988.

Hepburn, the seasoned finals veteran, vying for its 10th premiership and first since 2017.

Rokewood-Corindhap, the new kids on the block, entering its first CHFL finals campaign since joining the league in 2011.

Dunnstown claiming a top four spot for the first time since 2009.

Buninyong continuing its run of finals qualification, albeit lower on the ladder than it is used to, but still aiming for its first premiership since 2002.

Springbank replenishing its list and remaining in the hunt for its first flag since it won back-to-back in 2015 and 2016.

Waubra hoping for back-to-back premierships for the first time in the club's history in the CHFL.

Lastly, Skipton making its second consecutive finals appearance for the first time since joining the league.

at Learmonth, 2:30pm

Last time: Gordon 14.16 (100) defeated Dunnstown 5.6 (36), round seven 2019

A quick word: The only thing we know about this game is that Gordon will go in as favourites.

The two sides did not meet during the season and are a relative unknown to one another.

Therefor, it looms as a cracking clash between a team of well-drilled stars in Gordon and a team like Dunnstown that relies on 22 players performing a specific role to get the job done.

Prediction: Gordon

at Waubra, 2:30pm

Last time: Buninyong 11.10 (76) defeated Skipton 6.12 (48), round 17 2021

A quick word: Unlike the other game on Saturday, these sides know each other very well, having played one another last weekend in round 17.

Despite the result last time out, this contest seems like one that will go down to the wire.

Skipton have some handy inclusions and are playing at a ground it won well at against Waubra not too long ago.

Buninyong has some handy inclusions of its own and is in form, it will take some beating.

Prediction: Buninyong

at Buninyong, 2:30pm

Last time: Hepburn 10.17 (77) defeated Rokewood-Corindhap 2.3 (15), round 13 2019

A quick word: One of the best storylines in the first week of the finals.

The perennial contender and most successful club in league history taking on the up-and-coming Grasshoppers, in their first finals campaign since joining the CHFL.

Due to lockdown the two sides missed each other during the season, however, both possess the ability to kick big scores.

The midfield and defensive battle loom as the most important aspects of the game.

Prediction: Hepburn

at Marty Bush Reserve, 2:30pm

Last time: Waubra 9.8 (62) defeated Springbank 7.12 (54), round 14 2019

A quick word: With Springbank's four big outs, the fortunes of this game may have well and truly flipped.

Waubra has been strengthened with three senior stars returning, making it seem three to four goals stronger immediately.

Waubra's game to lose and if Springbank can get the job done, it will be one of their most famous victories.

Prediction: Waubra