The road to the Big V championship continues to clear for Geelong.

Not only did Geelong advance to the Big V Division One men’s grand final on the weekend, but the season-long title favourite was removed from its path.

Geelong took care of business in its preliminary final with a strong 103-86 win over Southern Peninsula Sharks at The Arena on Saturday night.

That win gave Geelong home court advantage in the best-of-three grand final series and distinct edge as it tracks a championship in its first season back in Big V senior competition.

But a surprise awaited as Sunbury Jets upset Sherbrooke Suns, who had lost just twice all season in the other preliminary final, 120-117, in overtime.

So it will be Geelong against Sunbury for the Big V Division One championship in a match-up few expected.

``When we played Sunbury a few weeks ago, they beat us and they were very tough, so it’s not a total shock that we will be playing them,’’ Geelong coach Lanard Copeland said.

``That game put us on alert to Sunbury if we were to meet them in the playoffs, so we will be totally focused and switched on and giving them our total respect,’’

Geelong took control of the preliminary final with a 38-22 second period that gave it a 63-47 half-time lead and a comfortable cushion for the rest of the game.

As has been the case all season, guards Paul Hutchison (19 points, nine rebounds) and Keith Harrison (22 points) were excellent, but the support was strong.

Inside pair Marty De Lange (19 points, six rebounds) and Seb Loader (13 points, 11 rebounds) were outstanding, while guards JJ Paton (10 points) and Ben Suchanek (10 points) kept things ticking over.

But if there was a contribution to underline Geelong’s commitment, it came from back-up guard Romy Liebich (four points, four rebounds, four assists) with all-out hustle and relentless effort off the bench.

Geelong will need plenty more of that this weekend as it goes on the road to Sunbury for Game 1 of the grand final series before hosting Games 2 and 3 (if needed) at The Arena on August 23 and 24.

``We’re thrilled to have made it to the grand final, but we feel like the job is only half done,’’ Copeland said. ``We’re in it to win it and anything less than winning the championship is unacceptable.’’