The fact that tomorrow's preliminary final is at Maffra should ensure a sizeable Eagles contingent is on hand to watch proceedings.

It will be Drouin's first senior preliminary final since 1997, when it met eventual premier Tooradin in the old West Gippsland league.

The Hawks come into the game on the back of two wins in excess of 10 goals.

In the first semi-final last week they posted their biggest ever win over Morwell, by 66 points.

When Drouin and Traralgon last met, in round 18, the Hawks won by 53 points.

The Maroons have lifted in the finals since that defeat with a fighting win over Morwell before having their chances to win the second semi-final last week before going down to Maffra by six points.

During that match at Sale, Traralgon failed to make the most of the Eagles' inaccurate kicking for goal.

Against the Hawks the Maroons will need to replicate the type of pressure they exerted on the Eagles, particularly during the second term when they kicked six unanswered goals.

In the reserves, Traralgon will meet Morwell with the winner to meet Maffra in the grand final.

Maffra faces a tough task in the thirds against Leongatha, who was impressive in its second semi-final loss to Traralgon.

Sale and Maffra will begin the day with what should be a hotly-contested fourths preliminary final.

For more read Friday's Gippsland Times.