It did not need 20 weeks to discover these two teams would be the benchmark of the competition.

Their clash at Centennial Oval on Sunday will be the most anticipated of the season and is shaping up as an enthralling contest.

After having the wood over North Albany in the first three contests, Royals will be hoping to bounce back to outright premiership favourites by avenging their nine-point home loss in Round 16.

On the other hand, North Albany will be trying to build on their current seven-game winning streak and gain the all-important home ground advantage in the grand final.

Both sides will look to get on top in the midfield and supply plenty of ball to their key forwards.

Glynn VerBruggen finished with 55 goals in the regular season and along with Aaron Williams and Kayne Hamilton are the danger men for the Kanga defence.

At the other end of the ground, the focus will be on Warwick Durack who heads the Kangas’ goal-kicking this season, along with Chris DeLacy and dynamic half-forward Boyden Coyne.

After tearing up the Royals’ defence in the last encounter, the versatile DeLacy shapes as the Kangas x-factor and may again cause a headache for Royals’ coach Darrell Panizza.

Panizza may be forced to put experienced player Leith Edwards on DeLacy in a tagging role - a move which could be pivotal in deciding the game.

DeLacy was again amongst his team’s best on Sunday, kicking four goals in North Albany’s 25.20 (170) to 4.3 (27) demolition of Denmark-Walpole at Collingwood Park.

North steamed out of the blocks and stamped their authority on the contest taking a commanding 45-point lead into the first break, with only inaccuracy in front of goal preventing the lead from blowing out further.

The contest was over by half-time as Kangas strolled away to a 95-point lead.

But they did not take their foot off the accelerator, booting another 10 goals to three after the long break to win by a whopping 143 points.

Durack bagged six goals to be amongst the best for North along with DeLacy and Mark Proudlove (two goals), while Geoff Wynne and Coyne kicked four goals.

Johnno Woods gathered plenty of ball for the Giants across the back half and along with Brodie Hickey and Coby Ladwig was named Giants’ best player.

Den-Wal now have to regroup before their sudden death first semi-final at Tigerland this Saturday.

Coach Mick Mustey is faced with a dilemma.

Should he expose his youngsters to finals action?

Or try and pinch a win against the odds by recalling the enigmatic trio of Terry and Robbie Farmer, plus gun midfielder Matt Warburton, who all missed Sunday’s clash.

Railways are fresh off a Round 20 bye and their recent hoodoo against the Giants has been overcome by winning the last two contests after Den-Wal took out the first two encounters.

The 2008 season will end for the loser, while the winner faces the daunting task of taking on the loser of North Albany and Royals in the preliminary final.

Royals got into gear last Sunday with an 83-point win over wooden-spooners Mt Barker at Frost Park.

Glynn VerBruggen kicked seven goals, while Reece Jones, James McRae and Chris Denney also featured in the best players list.

It was an improved effort from the Bulls compared to recent outings against Royals, but without leading goalkicker, Ben Saunders, Mt Barker had limited options in their line-up.

Clint Hambley kicked three goals for the home side to be best player along with Luke McPartland and Sam Lehmann.

The visitors kicked seven goals to one in the first quarter to effectively end the contest.

Royals’ midfielders continually pumped the ball into the forward 50 metre zone to give their forwards plenty of scoring chances.

The final score line was Royals 19.18 (132) to the Bulls 7.7 (49).

Mt Barker will have to lure more players to the region as well as maintain their current list to improve their ladder position and survive as a club in 2009.