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REIGNING premier Bell Post Hill flexed its muscles to produce a comprehensive 58-point victory over North Geelong on Saturday, booking a spot in its sixth consecutive grand final.
The Panthers took their game to another level, jumping out of the blocks with a dominant first quarter - and they didn't look back.
Bell Post Hill coach Brent Grgic reiterated the importance of starting strongly against quality opposition in such an important clash.
"We were obviously switched on and (we) worked really hard ... That's the only way you're going to beat a team like North Geelong, you've got to play four quarters," Grgic said.
The pieces have fallen perfectly into the puzzle for the modern-day powerhouse, with the club fielding its best outfit for the year against the Magpies.
The victory now gives the Panthers the familiar luxury of a week off prior to the Grand Final.
"It's probably the best side we've had in, we're lucky that at this time of year we've finally got all our guys together," Grgic said.
"We'll probably do a little more recovery. We've got a bit more time so we'll spend the first four or five days doing a lot of recovery ... then next week will be pretty much the same (as a normal week)."
Bell Post Hill welcomed back dynamic forwards Matthew Jovanovic and David Holzfeind, both adding plenty of talent to the already strong line-up.
"He (Lewis) pulled up a bit sore after the twos last week ... he's definitely one who will be a massive chance to play, he's a senior player and should be in the side," Grgic said.
"I (Grgic) need a fair bit to go right for me, at the moment it's not looking great ... I'll give it every chance, but if it's not 100 per cent I'm not going to take a young bloke's spot."
Bell Post Hill began with a blistering opening quarter to the scoring end, producing 14 scoring shots to North Geelong's four to take a five-goal lead into the first break, with Dylan Witney, Jovanovic and Robert Wood all with lively starts. The Magpies hit back in the second, kicking the first three of four goals to cut the margin back to 13 points. Bell Post Hill then produced three late goals in the term, consolidating their five goal lead at half-time - 10.8 (68) to 5.8 (38).
The experienced Panthers lifted their game once more after the break, piling on 7.4 to North Geelong's 2.1, putting the game beyond reach.
The Magpies will take some solace from winning the final term but are left to rue a sub-standard start.
