PFNL Finals: Grand final skippers bracing for tough, hard contest

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The two star midfielders are no strangers to each other, having crossed paths in the centre square during four games already this season.

So, while there's a mutual respect between both players and their clubs, they know what to expect from each other.

"It's tough. It's always tough footy between the two sides," Collard said ahead of the clash.

"Both have a really strong midfield, both try hard to win the ball first and both tackle pretty hard if they don't, so we're bracing for another hard hit out."

Rockingham and Baldivis combined to be the league's top two scoring attacks in 2019, but their meetings against each other have been far from the all-out offence you might expect.

Their round 14 clash, in which Rockingham won the game 15.5 (95) to 12.8 (80), has been their highest-scoring encounter this season.

Collins anticipates another grind-it-out sort of contest with the premiership on the line, saying his side would take a defend-first approach into the match.

"We know they (Baldivis) have plenty of options up forward, so if we can defend first, cause some turnovers at their half forward and rebound back our way then that's a strong starting point," he said.

"That's been our approach for most of the year so we'll continue to look to that."

If causing turnovers is the key to the Rams' success, then it makes sense that Collard and his Brumbies are looking to limit those errors in the big game.

"We need to value the ball," he said.

"We need to look after it and make sure we're as clean as we can be, while also running hard to win our own footy.

"If we get that balance right and get enough deep forward entries I think we'll be in a good spot."

The Rams have had the wood over the Brumbies this season, winning three of their four clashes, but Collins is adamant his team won't be putting any stock into past results as they search for their first flag in 22 years.

"You're kidding yourself if you think those games mean anything," he said.

"The results between our two sides have generally been pretty close throughout, so if we go in thinking we've got the upper hand we'll get punished."

The two captains and their sides go toe-to-toe at Rushton Park this Saturday, 2.30pm.