A quick look at the two sides' recent records leading into the 2018-19 decider, that kicks off on Thursday at St Kilda's Junction Oval, is proof of that - since 2008-09 the Vics have won six titles to the Blues' one, winning every final they've contested.

Despite that success 15 Victorians donned baggy greens compared to 17 New South Welshman, numbers that once again lend themselves to the stigma the latter side is picked more based on international potential than winning domestic titles, which comes down to culture in many critics' eyes.

Orange District Cricket Association's 2008-09 player of the year Chris Tremain has been in both camps, the Yeoval-born former Kinross quick beginning his First-Class career with the Blues before moving to Melbourne in search of more opportunity.

That move's paid off, considering he's now won three titles with the Vics along with being crowned last summer's player-of-the-season.

He's the best-placed to compare the two camps too and while there's no doubt NSW has been through some changes since he left, Tremain admits in his experience the Vics' culture was markedly different to the Blues.

''At NSW, technique, looking the part and presenting a very good image for yourself and the state was very important," Tremain said.

''But it was branded on me very early in Victoria that 'we don't care how good you look. If you're not playing for the team, you're not playing'.'

There was a bit of friction in the rooms when I left New South Wales. I remember a senior player telling us that, 'ff you're going to carry on like a f---wit, go and play in the NRL.' I didn't feel he lived that value.

''There was always a lot of talk about blokes who'd done well in a losing side, too.

'We don't do that [at Victoria]. There's little to no recognition of individual achievements. If someone gets a 100 or a five-for, [Victorian coach Andrew McDonald] will read it out after the game, say 'cheers' and move on.

''It was even said to me last year - after I took 50 wickets in the season - that 'it would never, ever have happened had I not been playing with 'Sidds' and Boland.''

''No one really cares who does well as long as we all do well."

The Vics are doing well too, or they have, during 2018-19. They've been far and away the best side in the competition so far and finished more than 11 points clear on top of the table as a result.

They've accounted for NSW both times they've faced off this summer too, firstly hammering the Blues by an innings and 107 runs in round two and then winning by 63 runs in round nine.

Although he says it's not a focus, individually the Vics have flourished too.

Marcus Harris is the competition's leading run-scorer with 1024 at 68.26 and Will Pucovski is 10^th on that list with 581 at 58.1 while Scott Boland (45 at 19.8) and Tremain (42 at 22.61) are both in the top four wicket-takers.

Tremain has been included in the Victorians' 14-man squad and looks a lock to be named, with the side reportedly contemplating an 11^th hour shake-up by demoting Peter Siddle and including Sam Harper.

The Sheffield Shield final starts at 10.30am on Thursday morning, at St Kilda's Junction Oval.

- with the Sydney Morning Herald