Qualifying  Final -Sale City V Heyfield.  Set to defend their two-time premiership title, SALE CITY will need to put an end to the young high flying HEYFIELD Kangaroos line-up who has won six of their last eight matches in a blistering second half of the season.

While their record over the past two months is hard to look past, it is perhaps their most impressive feat this season that has put their fellow finals contenders on notice. The Kanagroos are the only side to account for this week's opponents Sale City on both occasions they have met.

Returning to finals for the first time since claiming the premiership title in 2009, the Kangaroos like Sale City would like nothing more than to have another crack at Rosedale with Saturdays victors wish to be granted.

Perennial finalists over the past decade which has seen the club contest five of the last 10 grand finals, the Kangaroos will be eager to provide coach Adrian Cox with his first finals victory at the helm of Heyfield.

But standing between Cox and his side's first finals victory in seasons are the reigning premiers, a group mixed with dual premiership players and youth that have proven that they come to play on the big stage.

A standout performer, the Dogs attack on the title has taken a different path to previous title tilts with the side to contest the qualifying final for the first time since making a return to finals action in 2010.

Before a showdown against the minor premiers Rosedale a tough assignment awaits the qualifying finalists.

Prior to the sides round 16 clash Sale Citys Nick Hider was under no illusions as to what his chargers would be up against with a four quarter effort needed, "Last time Heyfield's tall's got hold of us and made it hard, but saying that they were good all over the park.

"We are a different side now; we are building on hopefully peaking at the right time of year and are hopeful having drawn some tough matches this year heading into finals that this will help ensure that we are ready to go come the first week of finals," he said.

While the cards didn't fall the way of City some three weeks ago, Heyfield assistant coach Jesse Leeds is under no illusions as to the challenge that awaits the Kangaroos.

"It was disappointing not to get the win last Saturday and carry that momentum, but finals are a different ball game," said Leeds.

If past results are any indication as to what may unfold on Saturday, pundits would heavily back Heyfield to continue their solid form against the Dogs but as Leeds points out past results will account for little when the sides run out.

"Sale City has proven they come good when finals come around, I wouldn't say that past results see us hold a mental edge.

"It doesn't matter what has happened up until now, we need to be the best side - be the best that we can be on the day."

While selection will cause some headaches for the Kangaroos' coaching panel on Thursday night with a full list to pick from, Leeds is confident they can get the match ups right and put their best side forward.

"We know where we need to match up, obviously City have three big names on the ball Josh Tollner, Jake Schuback and Nick Hider, but we won't be focussing too much on them rather on our game.

"We need to play how we want to play, we want them to be forced to accommodate for us rather than be forced onto the back foot.

"We have had a good season we aimed for a top four finish coming off the disappointment of last year and the sides worked hard to get the double chance and we would like to ensure that we get to keep that chance for another week," said Leeds.

Magpies to meet red hot Saints
ELIMINATION FINAL -GLENGARRY V COWWARR
GLENGARRY and COWWARR will meet in a replay of last year's qualifying final, in the knock out elimination clash on Sunday.

Playing supreme football combining miserly defence with high scoring, the Saints have conquered all before them in the second half of the fixture with their momentum continuing to gain.

It's this momentum that coach Cory Bannister hopes will put his side in good stead, against a side that has proven to be the thorn in the Saints side.

Dropping their past three clashes against Glengarry including the 2011 qualifying final along with their matches this season, the Magpies on paper appear to have the edge. But a lot has
changed for both line-ups since their round 12 clash.

On that Saturday in July, both sides end of season's ambitions hinged on the result of the contest.
Sitting side by side on the premiership ladder standings in fifth and sixth placed the four points were paramount in ensuring a top five finish. But since that Saturday plenty has changed.

Both clubs have hit their straps accounting for their more fancied opponents, and in their current form both can well and truly consider themselves the inform sides of the competition. Cowwarr's Cory Bannister notes that if there was a ladder for the second half of the season his side would be perched up the top of the table having only dropped one match over the past two months.

However, while Glengarry and Cowwarr's form has been blistering both sides fates will be sealed come Sunday afternoon at 5pm with Bannister hopeful that the Saints will have the goods to continue to build their confidence ahead of finals.

"We respond better when our backs are against the wall, and have done that after a slow start to the season," said Bannister.

"We wanted momentum coming into finals, and we have certainly been carrying that.

"Glengarry is the only side that we haven't been able to beat this season, on both occasions we haven't been at full strength so we haven't been able to test ourselves.

"They are certainly a team that we respect, they are as close to our side as any other that is going around in the competition."

And there are many similarities between the two line-ups across the ground with Bannister noting the midfield, forward and backline match ups as contests that will enthral.

"Both sides have a similar make up they have Josh King and Shaun Barnes up forward and we have our two prong attack of Chris Stasinowsky and Brad McBride, both sides have good midfields we boast Luke Cooper while they have Ryan Potter."

In their round 12 clash without a doubt the most absorbing duel of the game was the battle between King and Cowwarr's Morgan who found himself throughout the contest playing in different positions as he looked to create a spark for the visitors. Saints midfielder Cooper provided plenty of physical presence, leading from the front to be named among their best players. Ruckman Paul Joyce won the battle in the ruck with a lion-hearted performance in which he rucked all day against the Magpies rotating ruck stocks of Trev May and Aaron Winkler.

McBride had a dominant game up forward for the Saints, kicking two majors while setting up a number of opportunities. However on that day the Saints sorely missed Chris Stasinowskys presence, and will be bolstered this Sunday with his return along with goal sneak Robbie Ferguson.

It's the final countdown.......WEEK ONE FINALS:
QUALIFYING FINAL -Sale City v Heyfield, Saturday 25th August at Rosedale
ELIMINATION FINAL - Knock out Final: Glengarry v Cowwarr, Sunday 26th August at Heyfield

By Lauren Carey