The Kees took round six honours but Southern Roos coach Paul Cleaver said both sides had grown in strength since then. 

“It was one of those really close, tight tussles and I am sure there are things we have both improved on,” he said. 

“It will be an interesting contest. 

“All the sides left in the finals are at a similar level so it can only come down to who plays better on the day.” 

The sides will clash in the second Horsham District Football Netball League semi-final on Sunday at Jeparit. 

In last week’s elimination final, Southern Roos’ Hugh Douglas booted one final goal to secure a three-point win and a semi-final spot. 

The Southern Roos were strong across the board, but still suffered casualties. 

Luke Merryfull’s season ended after suffering a broken collarbone during the match. 

Despite the injury, Merryfull still took a mark and kick on his way off the field. 

“I was very impressed as a coach at his team focus. It is shame he will miss this game,” Cleaver said. 

Kalkee coach Steve Schultz said he expected another close game on Sunday. 

“It will most definitely be a tight one. Harrow-Balmoral are a great side,” he said. 

“They are as good a side as any on paper, we know we have to play well. 

“Round six was one of our better performances of the year.” 

Schultz said Benjamin Lawson’s playing status was yet to be confirmed. 

Cleaver said the win had instilled some confidence in the Southern Roos. 

“To be up and down and then come back and win really gave us a bit of a belief,” he said. 

“Never say die I suppose. Hopefully we can do that again.” 

Cleaver said he expected the Kees’ experience would challenge his side. 

“The Kees have put a lot of time into developing their running game on the outside,” he said. 

“They have some really cool old heads in there as well that have played a lot of finals. 

“They have a lot of midfield experience. 

“We are lucky though that we have such a good side with even contributors across the board. 

“Our forward line has been fairly potent with plenty of different avenues to goal. 

“Our midfield runs pretty deep and I think we are a fairly even match up with the Kees.”

Schultz said there was a good feeling around the club after its tough win. 

“There is a bit of confidence, especially with the way we played last week and the improvement we have shown over the year,” he said. 

The Kees will look to Hugo Papst after last week’s handy performance.