The league's two top teams of 2014 will go head-to-head in the second semi final, with the victor fast tracked through to the grand final in a fortnight's time.

These two clubs have recent history when it comes to September showdowns.

The Hawks and Pumas are two of the most successful sides in the Mininera both playing finals football in every season since 2008 which has seen them meet on three occasions.

Tatyoon has the bragging rights to all three encounters by an average winning margin of 41 points, however Pumas' coach Trent Fiscalini said the past will count for little when the Hawks and Moyston/Willaura resume hostilities.

"We've looked back to when they beat us at Willaura (in round four), it was an interrupted match. We were six goals up halfway through the third quarter and lost by 11 points," he said.

"But then I think we got back a bit of confidence given the last time we played them (20-point win in round 14), we beat them at their home ground under conditions that didn't really suit us,

"We know they are a finals' team and have been that for the past couple of years, but this year is a lot different we've got a new playing group, different structures and just the way we go about things has changed.

"So we don't look back any further than our past two matches."

Confidence is a critical factor when it comes to finals and neither side is lacking this heading into the weekend.

Tatyoon coach Jarrod Blandford said the Hawks are 'clicking as a team' at the right time of the year and produced one of their most impressive performances in the qualifying final by downing Hawkesdale/Macarthur by 102-points.

"We have certainly got a good amount of confidence on the back of our last month of football, not just the victory that came out of the weekend," he said.

"Getting to the business end of the season we have started to gel together more as a team. Having a more consistent side week-in week-out has really helped."

The Pumas earned a week's break courtesy of securing the minor premiership and the team will quickly find out if this was a help or a hindrance in Saturday's opening quarter.

Fiscalini said all players are eager to go, so he isn't expecting a slow start from his charges.

"We are all pretty refreshed physically and mentally and right to go," he said.

"(The weekend off) just gave guys that had a couple of niggles a chance to get over them, do a bit more running and fine tune some ball skills."

Fiscalini said with the round 16 clash against Glenthompson/Dunkeld virtually a 'dead rubber' he took the opportunity to rest many of his players ahead of an intense September assault.

With a fortnight to rest up, the Pumas will have as many as eight changes for this important contest with the Hawks, including key senior figures Sam Seres, Lynden Brewis, Aaron McKinnis and Fiscalini himself.

One player that did play against the Rams was joint-captain Matt Peel, who returned after more than a month on the sidelines with injury.

Fiscalini said having the half-forward back in time for the club's finals' campaign was a massive boost.

"Peely is a bloke that is just born and bred Moyston, he lifts a lot of spirits around him when he is on the field," he said.

"As a player he is just really good overhead, takes strong contested marks and is really smart."

Tatyoon also has plenty of smart footballers that the Pumas will need to be mindful of.

With the Hawks boasting a potent forward line led by Steve Butler (82 goals for the season), Kye Chapple (58) and Mitch Cronin (24) and the Pumas doing the same through Lachie Hamilton (56), McKinnis (40) and Daniel Guinane (33), this match could turn into a high scoring affair.

Blandford said despite the star power in both forward-50s, he isn't expecting a shootout.

"I don't see it going that way. I think both sides have very good backlines and both have good midfields as well," he said.

"It all depends, if the mids allow the opposition to get out and use the ball freely then it probably will turn into a shootout, but will be aiming for a tough contest in the middle and try and restrict scoring as best we can.

"Definitely we look at our onball brigade again, the likes of Sean and Tim McDougall, Kye Chapple to stand up.

"In the forwardline we have Steve and Mitch in good form and in defence Tim Barr is leading the way."

Defenders Josh Day and Rhys Cronin will be given big assignments by Fiscalini, while through the centre ruckman Josh Bywater and workhorse Luke Thomas are capable of taking control for the Pumas.

With so much to play for Fiscalini is anticipating another epic finals' encounter between these two clubs, in what could be a prelude to the decider on September 13.

"It will be a good match Saturday and it always tends to be between us and Tatyoon, not just for the rivalry, but mainly due to the fact we have a lot of similar players," he said.

"Throughout the whole ground we match up really, really well."

In the other senior match Hawkesdale/Macarthur will look to bounce back from its big loss, when it meets Penshurst in Sunday's elimination final.