The Thoroughbreds have only dropped one match this season,  to premiers Greta Branxton in round nine, before they immediately got their season back on track, taking their revenge on Greta with a 28-16 major semi-final win a fortnight ago.

Both Scone and Denman  are solid in the middle but also pose a huge threat with electric backlines in a grand final that is sure to have the crowd on their feet.

At the Group 21 presentation night on Wednesday, the backline of the Team of the Year consisted of three Denman players and three Scone players with Aberdeen five-eighth Shane Hasselman the odd man out.

Scone skipper and lock Daniel Ritter made it four from the Thoroughbreds, joining fullback Tim Smith, wing Josh Adams and centre Hayden Topliss, who is arguably the most dangerous back in the competition this season.

Denman halfback Gary McKeon has been in top form this season directing the Devils around the park and he was joined by centre and wing combination Paula Dinauvolu and lliesa Cama in the honorary team.

McKeon’s halves partner in crime has been Luke Hasselman for the past two months after he was talked out of retirement mid-season.

Coach Paul Gallagher believes they are the right combination for the job.

“They have been playing together here since they were six years old,” Gallagher said.

“Hasselman has been getting better each game and has been terrific in the two finals games.” 

Gallagher is confident the side is very close to top form, with a mid-season injury crisis now firmly behind them and two tough wins under their belt.

“I think it is better to come in with a tough run,” Gallagher said.

“Our defence and continuity has been getting better each week and if we defend like we did last week the points will come.

“Last week’s win was the best training we could have.” 

The Devils had Greta down 40-nil before the premiers got two consolation tries in the final ten minutes.

“That performance has been coming all year and now we need to just do it again,” Gallagher said.

“Scone have been a very good side this year and will take some beating.” 

As well as exciting backlines, the game will also feature another battle in the forwards, where Group 21 and Country teammates Ben Hagan and Ritter will each lead their respective sides into battle.

Hagan has been at the top of the Group for over a decade, and possesses a huge work rate for a prop.

Ritter has a similar hunger for hard work and is relentless from whistle to whistle, leading from the front.

The Thoroughbreds will be out to settle the score after Denman knocked them out of the preliminary final last year, with several returning players featuring in this season’s line- ups for both sides.

“If we get a dry track it should be a pretty good game to watch,” Gallagher said.

“We are expecting a really fast match.”

In the lower grades the Thoroughbreds will take on Singleton in reserves, while Muswellbrook will feature in both the U18s and league tag, kicking off at 10am at Scone Park.