Graetz missed the Cats' last two matches due to an overseas cruise, but comes back in to tackle South Wagga for the premiership.

Nicoll, who never intended to play again after being diagnosed with Multiple Scerlosis, didn't want to stand in any one's way.

Despite making an unbeaten 16 and taking three wickets in the semi-final win he's stepped aside.

Graetz is hoping he can justify his call.

"I'm very thankful for what he has done," Graetz said.

"When I came back from being away and missing the last round and the first final there were no guarantees of playing, but that's the way they wanted to do it.

"I would have been disappointed but not angry or anything if he wanted to keep his spot, that's completely up to them and that 11 won the final so there's no reason they had to change it.

"I'm thankful they sat down and gone that way and I'll have to knuckle down, do my job and not let the 11 down and him (Nicoll) as well."

Graetz is looking for a second premiership success after being part of the Cats' win over the Blues two seasons ago.

Behind the likes of Jon Nicoll, Josh Thompson and Aaron Maxwell he's had limited chances with the bat this season but scored 49 in his last first grade innings.

He was thrilled to take the opportunity.

"It was good and something a bit different for me," Graetz said.

"Normally I go in to bat with about 10 overs to go and have a bit of a licence to score some quick runs but that do it was certainly a bit different.

"Things didn't go as we planned and I was in a bit earlier than expected so it was good to bat a bit of time, especially with Josh at the other end making his 100.

"It's something I'll definitely remember.

"It was a bit disappointing to be one run short (of a half century) but things happen and you can't really control that."

Nicoll has played in six of Wagga City's last seven matches and has made an impact too.

He scored 26 and claimed two wickets against St Michaels in round 14 before finishing with 3-36 in the win over the Blues.

However he's adamant Graetz deserves the spot more.

"My role at the start of the year was just to coach the guys, I was never meant to play, but as we had a lot of unavailability I had to fill in but I always knew if we made it to this stage I wouldn't be playing," Nicoll said.

"I never set out to be part of a grand final.

"My role is to be apart of it as a coach that's it so I'm happy with that."

Nicoll said he would love to have a crack at winning a third grade final, after success at both Wagga City and Lake Albert.

However the 30-year-old didn't want to be selfish.

"I would love to play, don't get me wrong, as you don't get to play in grand finals very often but out of the 13 blokes we used in first grade this year every single person has done a job," Nicoll said.

"How do you turn to one of them and say 'sorry mate but you're going to miss out to me'?

"It would just be completely selfish and we don't that here.

"I'm happy to sit out."

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