That fateful day a rampant AYC-Friends Arrows that had won 22 games straight put a stop to Cavaliers wrenching back a second State League crown in three seasons.

The result also initiated a premiership run that lasted three years until Northern Hawks upset Arrows last year.

So Cavaliers coach Dan Roden is looking at the bigger picture as that synergy will decide this year's champion.

"I think it doesn't matter who we play really," he said.

"At the end of the day, we just have to bring our A game, our best games of the year.

"It has been really close between these three teams. We all finished on the same points and we can all beat each other on any given day."

Roden has multiple plans how to deliver his team their just rewards against Arrows.

The preliminary final at the Silverdome is just the first step after some hiccups.

"We talk about the need to stick to our structures, to remain calm and composed because sometimes you can get overwhelmed in finals and get tense, wound up and don't play with the freedom we play all year," he said.

"Sometimes those consequences when we know it's a big game and stakes are on the line, we have to put that to the side, realise we have played great netball all year and have to bring that type of game to a preliminary final."

The hurt from last year's preliminary encounter to the Hawks subsided a while ago.

That's when the 2018 assistant was waiting in the wings.

So with fresh eyes, Roden felt the invaluable lessons have made the side better.

"I feel having played last year certainly sets the girls up in terms of their preparation and knowing what to expect this time," he said.

"But we're against a very good team in Arrows that have been in the finals for the last 10 years and won three of the last four titles. They're a really experienced unit and have got a lot of wise heads."

Arrows' successful traits are there for all to see: great decision-making, greater ball use and prolific shooting.

What they have inflicted on Cavaliers was pressuring the side to rush their attack.

Roden has since set a more patient gameplan that has no qualms at taking short passing options to work the ball around until space opens up.

"When the game can be in the balance of the time and you need someone to have a cool head. That's going to win the game for me," he said.

Cavs can hold their nerve.

Five one-goal victories are testimony of that including in round 4 against Arrows.

Roden is also aware Hawks have come from behind twice to beat the same opponents.

"They probably don't want to hear that," he said.

As does Roden about Arrows' wins by 12 and 22 goals.

Get in front and stay in front is his solution to that.

"There is a real self belief in the group that if we can get in striking distance at three quarter-time, we know we're a real chance," Roden said.

"The game style we play we know we are fit enough to be able to close out the game."