Returning after the Christmas break with the grand final rematch, both coaches - Liam Reynolds and Josh Adams - described the other team as the competition's benchmark and spoke highly of the healthy rivalry between the pair.

"When two evenly-balanced sides go up against each other and have good contests there will be a rivalry but we've got utmost respect for them, they are a well-drilled side but there's things we can learn off them and they are probably likewise with us," Reynolds said.

"We play hard on the field and play to get the points every time we play but we have a beer afterwards and get on with things," Adams added.

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"But obviously they've been the benchmark for the last couple of years and they are the ones to beat for sure."

Jacob Wiggers and Max Magann look set to return to the Tigers' lineup, bringing them to near full strength as they aim to beat Hadspen for the first time since last season's semi final.

While the sides above and below TREVALLYN battle it out, James Whiteley's men travel to Evandale to face the eight-placed Panthers.

Trevallyn come in unchanged with captain-coach Whiteley pleased to see some stability in his line-up after struggling last season.

Having only lost to Hadspen thus far, the leader is looking for his side to be more ruthless in closing games out.

"We've definitely had opportunities in three or four games to just break the game open but unfortunately we've found ways to let teams back in, so we will be looking forward to not only putting ourselves in a good position to win but following through with it," he said.

At the other end of the scale, Panthers coach Andrew Wright is hopeful of getting a second win on the board after some solid cricket.

"I just reckon the boys need to knuckle down batting and help Jonty Manktelow [293 runs at 48.83] out a bit more. He seems to be the bulk run-scorer every week and he's just not getting anyone helping out."

Last season's premier league grand final isn't the only one being replayed this week with BRACKNELL hosting Legana in a repeat of their A-grade decider.

Dylan Semmens' Bracknell outfit secured their first premier league victory before Christmas with a win over George Town and a repeat result of last year's final will see them go back-to-back.

"That was a fantastic reward for the work that we've been putting in," he said.

"We just need to keep working on batting in partnerships and being more disciplined with the ball."

Michael Quill's Durhams are now treating every game as a final from here on in as they aim to deal with similar issues to the Panthers.

"Our bowling stocks are good, I think the blokes just need to apply themselves when they bat. We are bowling sides out for low scores, we just aren't making the runs," he said.

After several barren seasons, PERTH are out to secure their third win of 2020-21 as they take on George Town away from home.

Captain John Hayes believes the game should be a close one as the Demons aim to close the gap between them and fourth-placed ACL who have the bye.

"With the bat, we are looking to take the game deep and making sure we bat our 40 and as well with the ball, being patient, batsmen are going to put on partnerships and it's not just going to happen straight up," he said.

Tasting victory twice in 2020, George Town coach Jack Hill is excited at the prospects offered in 2021.

"I think our bowling side is good enough to challenge nearly any side but you don't win games by taking the most wickets, it's by the most runs - so it comes down to our batters and posting a decent score," he said.

"The start of the year was going to be tough. We were basically a foundation club, there was no real George Town NTCA club going into the TCL - it was literally from scratch."