The Hoppers suffered a 25-goal loss to Whorouly two weeks ago but coach Shane Wohlers denied his side was fearful of what the Lions might dish out this time.

“It’s certainly going to be tough,” Wohlers admitted.

“Their on-ballers are certainly up and running and we’re going to have to do some work on their forwards.

“But our team will be a bit different to the one they beat last time — we nursed a couple through that game to make sure they made the finals.

“We’re much better prepared this time and should be far more competitive.”

Whorouly ended Moyhu’s plucky run in last year’s finals series in a preliminary final.

However, with a younger side and crippling injuries, Wohlers said this year’s fifth place and semi-final berth went beyond the club’s expectations.

“Before the season, thinking we were going to have a fit team, we were just hoping to make the finals,” Wohlers said.

“In the end we’ve probably gone one step beyond where we thought we might finish and, given the injuries we’ve had, I think that’s a great effort.”

Whorouly was forced into an elimination semi-final after suffering a 19-point loss in its qualifying final with Bright at the weekend.

The winner of Sunday’s clash will meet the loser of Saturday’s Tarrawingee and Bright clash at North Wangaratta.

Tarrawingee has been the stand-out side of the season and dominated the Ovens and King league like few have before it.

But Bright came closer to beating the Bulldogs than anyone else this season — falling 34 points short in round 10 — and will be brimming with confidence after defeating Whorouly last week.

Much will depend on whether Bright’s frugal defence can minimise the impact of Tarrawingee’s potent forward line.

Full-back Joel Matthews kept gun forward Brendan Sessions to five goals last time and is expected to get the job again.