It has been 13 years since Ararat last secured a reserves premiership, and the Rats head into the big dance favourites to end that drought.

After a blistering home and away season, Ararat finished undefeated at the top of the ladder.

They were made to work in the semi-final, but a 19-point win against reigning premiers Horsham Saints took the Rats to within four quarters of an elusive flag.

Ararat coach Aidan Moar said his charges were ready for the contest.

"We're shaping up fairly well. Obviously having some experienced players throughout the group helps and having the senior group going through finals as well it helps. It's a good a feeling among the group," he said.

Moar said the Rats weren't resting on their laurels.

"Obviously being able to work our way into a grand final is a great effort, but we've still got one job to do, and that is to get the win on Saturday," he said.

"All the hard work comes down to the pointy end of the season now in the grand final. That's ultimately what we play sport for."

Horsham won't roll over though and have hit form at the right part of the season.

The Demons have come through an injury crunch and a fifth-place finish to earn their grand final place.

Horsham coach Jordyn Burke said having to progress the tough way had helped his team.

"I guess the pressure has been there every week, so I think that's probably a good thing and they're getting a bit more accustomed to it," he said. "We've got a few young boys who are getting used to it. But the group is feeling good."

Horsham hasn't won a reserves flag since 2013 and has had to cope with an ever-changing side to earn a crack at another flag.

"We had a lot of injuries in our seniors so in the middle part of the season and towards the end we were thrown around quite a lot," Burke said.

"None of them had whinged, they just accepted it for what it is, and you just have those periods of a footy club. Throughout the year we had a lot of under 17s boys come up, which was just fantastic.

"They're a really resilient group, and they just enjoy playing together."

The Demons face a tough task against Ararat.

The Rats have won both encounters this season by an average margin of 67 points.

Moar wasn't expecting an easy game on Saturday.

"Horsham is a fit young side, and they like to run and carry the ball and really open sides up," he said.

"That's something we're going to have watch on Saturday and be really switched on from the start."

Burke said it was an exciting opportunity.

"You're in that situation now, so you want to make the most of it," he said. "In whatever grade of footy you play, or coach they (grand finals) don't come along often."

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