A three-way tie shocked the league's followers last season, and with a majority of the top five clubs inseparable throughout the season, another close count could be on the cards.

Southern Mallee Giants coach Coleman Schache is firmly in contention, but he's tipped a Warrack Eagles gun and a Minyip-Murtoa recruit to fight for the top honour.

"I think Nick Peters, from the Warrack Eagles, or Ben McIntyre from the Burras," he said. "I think Nick is probably the favourite, he's a bloody good player."

Peters was one of the three to share the Toohey Medal last season.

The hard-running midfielder has impressed again this season, being named among the Eagles' best in each of the 16 games he's played.

Ararat coach Shane Fisher backed one of his stars and a preliminary final adversary to duke it out for the medal.

"I think one of our boys Dan Mendes has had another ripper year and I think Coleman Schache might come to a draw, I reckon," he said.

Mendes - one of last season's Toohey Medallists - and Schache both offer goals from the midfield, and both have been named among their sides' best consistently.

In the A Grade netball, a similarly tight race is expected for the Hatcher Medal.

Minyip-Murtoa coach Billie Bibby said it was too close to call.

"It could go to a few girls. It's hard because the top five teams, especially, all have really good players across the board," she said.

"It's quite difficult. I know Kirby (Knight) and Emma Buwalda have had very good years, so I don't know. There are just so many options that I can't tell you."

Horsham Saints coach Shannon Cross expected Horsham's Emma Buwalda - last season's Hatcher Medallist - to challenge for the honour again.

"She's been fairly consistent in front of goals for Horsham, so she'd be a frontrunner," she said.

Cross also expected her captain and last season's runner-up to be in with a shout.

"Ashlee Grace will perform well," she said.

"She always runs hard in the centre and plays out a full game each week."

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