Preliminary finals are usually desperate affairs. One team is searching for another chance at glory, the other fighting not to waste all the hard work that got them there. Things should be no different when Box Hill face Melbourne at Ashwood Reserve this Saturday.

Melbourne have taken out the two previous meetings between the teams this season. Prevailing 27-24 in round two and 22-11 in round 10.

Box Hill coach Tom Navanua said he is confident his team is in the right place to prevail this time around, but will need to improve on their semi-final performance to beat the Unicorns.

“We set out to play in the month of August. From day one, we said we wanted to play finals.

“What we did at the weekend [against Power House] won’t be good enough. We need to step up and rectify where we went wrong and our forwards will need to lift their game if they want to contest against Melbourne.

“Melbourne are very structured, they’re very well drilled and if there’s anywhere they’re going to try and expose us it will be up front.”

Bouncing back from a loss is what sets the best teams apart and Melbourne coach Tumai Edwards is backing his team to respond after what he said was a disappointing effort against Harlequins last week.

“We were pretty disappointed from last week’s game, but I feel the boys are refocussed. I don’t really need to say much at training this week, we know what goals are ahead of us and what we need to do.

“We need to be more aggressive and hungrier for the ball, we can’t let our opposition dictate the game and control the tempo.”

Like his opposition counterpart, Edwards highlighted the importance of the forward battle but thinks it is the Box Hill backline that will pose the biggest danger.

“We know they’re a big pack so they’re going to look to take us up front and then expose us out wide with their pace and flair.

“With Box Hill, they’re so unpredictable, they’ll score from anywhere. We’ve got to be very mindful of that. Any dropped ball, any turnovers, they’re going to capitalise on.”

The weather is forecast is for a dry day but the typically muddy Ashwood Reserve could yet play its part in the outcome of the match. Navanua said the conditions may favour the more structured Melbourne.

“The ground is going to be wet on Saturday so they’re probably going to try and take advantage of that.”

Edwards said the conditions will be a factor but the result will ultimately come down to which team is more motivated.

“We know the conditions may be quite heavy, the ground is pretty wet and muddy. It all depends on what team plays the right game plan and plays to the conditions.

“It’ll come down to whatever team shows up on the day and wants it more.”

Melbourne (1-15)

Davis Tui, Lindsey Gibson, Ata Manu, Freddie Austin, Craig Charters, Hughie Forbes, Ikapote Tupai, Aaron Kelly, Mick Snowden, Sam Vaevae, Chris Ling, Josh Cocker-Valu, David Massey, Vasili Leota, Deina Morete.

Box Hill (1-15)

Jack Wootton, Mark Aso, Ben Williams, Sema Hafoka, Adam Lewis, Sowani Saunitoga, Joeli Baleilovu, Quentin Nofoaiga,Alex Healey, Dan Yakopo, Saimoni Rokowaqa, Isireli Qalo, Filipe Vilitati, Filipe Koroibola, Sailasa Leqeti.