Much like the 2016 grand final, which the Crows lost to the Tigers by four points, Leeton-Whitton kicked a couple of quick late goals to get within a kick, but the siren ended their charge.

The 23-year-old was playing NEAFL with Canberra Demons, but returned for the finals campaign.

However he was full-time in the capital when the Crows went one better the following season, when they beat Collingullie-Glenfield Park by a goal to break a 39-year premiership drought.

Meline knows he may not get another chance to win a flag for his home town, which is why he's so desperate to beat Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong in Saturday's preliminary final and set up another showdown with the Tigers.

"In 2016 I came back and played finals for the Crows, then the next year I was full time up in Canberra from then on so didn't play in the one they won the year after," he said.

"I'm obviously very keen (to win). It's always a childhood dream you have to win a premiership for your home town, especially considering the last attempt I had was against Wagga and we lost narrowly.

"I'll try and keep playing at a higher level while I still can, so these opportunities don't really come around that often when you're still young and getting a chance to play in your home town."

The midfielder has been one of the standouts for the Crows in a side littered with locals who have returned to play after COVID-19 forced the cancellation of most state leagues.

Their glut of local talent is highlighted by the fact they used up 26 of their 36-point player points allowance in last week's loss to the Tigers.

"I've enjoyed coming home this year and playing for my home club with my brother (Tom). It's an opportunity that's come out of a bad situation with the pandemic, but I've definitely enjoyed it so far," he said.

"There's been a lot of positive energy around the club. When the virus hit and NEAFL got called off there was a hope there'd be a lot of locals coming back if the Riverina League went ahead.

"It came to reality, and everyone was excited. We're all locals so we know and have played with each other, which has helped create that connection."

The Lions will be without Nick Murray (collarbone), but have a very handy replacement up forward in Riley Corbett after he recovered from a broken ankle suffered in round two.

Meline played with Corbett at the Demons last year and knows how dangerous he can be.

"Riley's a gun forward. He's got a great set of hands on him and is probably one of the best set shot kicks I've ever seen," Meline said.

"If he takes a mark anywhere from 50, he'll probably kick 80 per cent of them.

"It was a shame the pandemic ended our NEAFL season because I was training with him at the start of the year and he got himself really fit.

"I thought he was going to have a breakout year in the NEAFL."

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