EASTERN Ranges have suffered a blow before their elimination final against Calder Cannons at Visy Park on Sunday with talented ruckman Leif Cope ruled out.

Ranges Region manager Anthony Parkin confirmed the youngster had injured his groin in their final round dress rehearsal against the Cannons at Box Hill on Sunday.

"He has a bit of a groin problem and won't play," he said. "He is a very good player for us; he's 204 centimetres."

On a more positive note for the Ranges, they will regain Ryan Wilson and Alex Greenwood from injury for the clash.

"It will give us a few more rotations," Parkin said. He said the Ranges would have to be at the top of their game to compete with the Cannons and reverse their 12-point loss to the traditional powerhouse.

"We'll go in with hope. Their depth is very good, while our top end is good but [our depth] probably falls away. We'll have to play well to win."

The Ranges were well served in the clash against the Cannons by Hayden Crozier, who booted four goals, mainly playing forward, but with stints in the midfield.

Key position forward Jonathon Patton had three goals and seven marks. Paul Seedsman, in just his second game, used the ball well through the midfield.

Parkin said the Ranges had squandered an opportunity to knock the Cannons off with poor kicking for goal in the final term.

Essendon-listed Papua New Guinean David Meli put the final nail into the Ranges coffin with his third goal of the game in the final quarter.

Oakleigh tuned up for the finals with a 28-point win over Geelong at Skilled Stadium yesterday and Dandenong defeated the Northern Knights by eight points.