After playing out two of the tightest matches this season, you get the feeling Sunday’s preliminary final between Eastwood and Southern Districts will be another absolute cracker.

A Jai Ayoub dropgoal handed the Woodies a 42-41 victory over Souths back in round 10, before the Rebels hit back just two weeks later, claiming a 25-24 victory at Forshaw.

“We match up pretty well against one another and our recent history shows that,” Woodies coach John Manenti told Rugby News.

“Whatever the outcome, you know it will be a contest right until the end and whichever team goes through to the grand final will have earned their right to be there.”

Eastwood proved too good for Warringah yet again at TG Millner last weekend, with fullback Ben Batger adding 15 points to help the Woodies to a 23-10 victory. Whilst Manenti admitted his side improved on their scrappy round 18 performance, he expects a tougher challenge come Sunday.

“It was definitely a step in the right direction, but we need to continue to focus on our own performance and lift again this week against Souths.”

Eastwood had the luxury of watching Souths and Uni do battle last Sunday, as flyhalf Jordan McGregor kicked the Rebels to victory with a 40-metre penalty goal after the full time siren.

“We’ve taken lot’s of self-belief and confidence out of last week after beating a really quality opposition like that,” Rebels coach Matt Barr said.

Whilst the Rebels were far from their best in the first half, momentum swung towards the home side after the break.

Despite sneaking home against the Students, Barr knows his side will need to produce their best for 80 minutes on Sunday, if they are to play their way into a third Shute Shield grand final in four years.

“Out set piece was disappointing against Uni and that will be key again Eastwood. They always try to apply a lot of pressure there,” Barr added.

Both sides are expected to be unchanged for Sunday’s clash, with all the action live on 7TWO from 2:30pm on Sunday.

Eastwood v Southern Districts – Live on 7TWO

Eastwood (1-15)

Jed Gillespie, Hugh Roach, Martin Plokstys, James Neale, Jared Barry, Michael Kovacic, Hugh Perrett, Joey Afualo, Matt Gonzalez, Jai Ayoub, Nick Batger, Tom Hill, Mike McDougall, Brad Curtis, Ben Batger.

Southern Districts (1-15)

Salesi Maumalanga, Liam Dwyer, Cameron Betham, Fili Tufui, Andrew Leota, Kieran Black, Jono Hayes, Jed Holloway, Dewet Roos, Jordan McGregor, Alex Gibbon, Paul Asquith, Denny Godinet, Feluela Finau, Afa Pakalani.