Geelong, a hot flag favourite for several weeks, has selected 14 AFL-listed players and five AFL rookies in a powerful unit which also contains 2007 Liston Trophy winner James Byrne.

Coburg has improved through the finals and strengthened its side after its 31-point loss to the Cats in the qualifying final.

But Geelong could also be better with the inclusion of Kane Tenace and Sam Hunt after hamstring injuries.

The Burgers are young, willing and spirited and will be competitive but it's hard to see them controlling the Cats for the whole game.

Coburg coach Andrew Collins said coaching staff had been devising a new plan to try and overcome the challenge.

Calder Cannons and Murray Bushrangers have won their Preliminary Finals at MC Labour Park today to win through to the TAC Cup Grand Final to be played at the MCG next Saturday Morning.

In the 1st game today Calder dominated in general play in the 1st quarter but couldn't put on the scoreboard and when a couple of late goals by the Knights gave them a 2 point quarter time lead.

The Knights then dominated the 2nd quarter through their expierenced players Matt Kreuzer and Trent Cotchins as well as Patrick Veszpremi helped the Knights to a 6 goal to 4 quarter and a 17 point half time lead.

In the 3rd quarter the Cannons got back into the game with a 6 goals to 3 quarter with a late goal giving them the lead by 4 points at the last change. German, Trengove and Polkinghorne were dominated helping to shut down the Knights big guns.

With everything on the line it was the Cannons that got away kicking the 1st 2 goals to get a break but the Knights continued to fight even as they were running at of legs. When Trent Cotchin went off injured late in the final quarter it looked like the Knights were gone but they managed to get the margin within 7 points with a few minutes remaining but late goals to the Cannons sealed the Knights fate as Calder went on to win the game by 14 points to advance to the Grand Final.

Preliminary Finlas review

Courtesy Anthony Brady (3SER Casey FM)

In Preliminary Final action in the Victorian Football League (VFL) for season 2007, the Casey Radio 97.7FM 3SER team were at TEAC Oval, Port Melbourne, on both Saturday and Sunday, to witness Geelong and Coburg post comprehensive victories.

On Saturday, in the Second Preliminary Final, it was a dominant 11-goal final term by the Cats which saw them smash a hapless North Ballarat Roosters side. The margin at three-quarter time had been just five points in favour of Geelong.

Beautiful spring-time conditions greeted players at TEAC Oval on Saturday, with sunshine and a warm top temperature in the mid-20s meaning bench rotations would be high by Cats coach Leigh Tudor and Roosters mentor Gerard FitzGerald.

A slight breeze favoured the Williamstown Road end of the ground, and after winning the coin toss, Geelong captain and 2007 J.J Liston medallist James Byrne elected to kick to that end in the first term.

The crowd was surprisingly good at 3500, with the overwhelming majority being Geelong fans, who decided to forego attending local league finals to support their VFL side.

GEELONG VFL coach Leigh Tudor said the Cats had little concern about a report on forward Charlie Gardiner from Saturday's win.

In the only sour note for the day, Gardiner had his number taken for a front-on bump on Djaran Whyman midway through the last quarter.

He faces the VFL tribunal tonight.

``I didn't actually see it but no one seems to be (concerned),'' Tudor said. ``Charlie didn't think he got him so we'll wait and see.''

 Gardiner would be a big loss for the Cats heading into their second straight VFL grand final.

His four goals on Saturday made him the biggest goal scorer of the game.

``Charlie's versatility has been fantastic for the footy club,'' Tudor said. ``Whenever we've needed someone to kick a goal, Charlie's done it for us, whenever we've needed someone to go on-ball and work hard, Charlie's been able to do it for us.''

Tudor said Brent Prismall, Steven King and Ryan Gamble deserved credit for setting up the Cats' final term blitz out of the middle.

It is understood Werribee has officially approached the Kangaroos to form an alignment, raising the ire of the Dogs.

It now appears possible the Bulldogs could team with Williamstown after Collingwood announced yesterday that it was splitting with the Seagulls to establish its own VFL team.

There is also an outside chance the Dogs could field a stand-alone VFL team called Footscray.