The grand final rematch and even its crosstown derby will take a back seat to returning to the State League court for the first time since March.
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The imminent outbreak of coronavirus earlier in the year prevented the Northern Hawks seeking revenge over Cavaliers for its premiership loss after Netball Tasmania postponed the meeting just hours before its schedule.
That late call which put the season in doubt ensures the long-awaited clash has had to wait 11 months to the day.
But Hawks co-coach Ruth Tuohy, who in 2018 led the side to a first title in 22 years with Kellie Woolnough, said no longer is there a feeling of retribution after waiting so long from an enforced break.
"The time has definitely passed for that and has taken some of the heat off it from those feelings," Tuohy said.
"We are more really interested to see what the break has done for our team and where are we going to sit to try and finish as competitive as we can be in the season.
"It's so different that it's hard to put into words sometimes, but we haven't spoken about it and I don't think the girls are interested either."
The Hawks gave up an 8-0 start to capitulate in 65-59.
Tuohy has readjusted the preparations for restrictions, calling it a "privilege" to play.
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"We were talking at training about our pre-game routine that we have had for so long, but we have rules and restrictions that we have to follow now," she said.
"So we know what it looks like and we have to be open and adaptive."
Coaching director Dannie Carstens said the Cavaliers would not underestimate the Hawks, but felt the symbolism of the game was greater than the inevitable rematch.
Both teams took out their back-to-back away games.
"It's more about playing netball than who you are actually playing," she said.
"I would, obviously, think when the game does start, it'll be more about that we're playing the Hawks and we really want to win this one."
Carstens felt the mid-year preseason has only made the Cavs more focused.
"Looking at the girls training this week, they are just so ready to play," she said.
"They look just so fit and just very well connected.
"You would not have thought they lost that connectivity."
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Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
