Sure, both clubs may be guaranteed a place in the finals series, but that won't affect their determination to hold bragging rights over the other squad as the important point of the season arrives.

The game will be a rematch of last year's grand final - one of the best deciders in recent memory.

Collegians won 42-38 in a tense decider after each team traded two-point wins during the regular season.

This Saturday's game is expected to be just as hotly contested.

A deciding factor will be who can shake off the holiday rust the fastest when the opening siren sounds.

Panthers coach Di Coombes said the countdown towards the game has felt like an eternity but is confident her side will be switched on at the right time.

"We had a few injuries so the break was good for us. We'll have Gabby Bugg back at full strength," she said.

"We'll go into the game with Emma Miller as our only absent player. We trained really well this week and everyone's really excited for this one.

"We were in really good form before the holidays so I'm interested to see how we come back from the break.

"There's been a couple of new players come into our team this year who have been playing great netball for us ... and we have players who are very versatile."

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Collegians coach Melissa Noonan is maintaining the long view as the A grade split approaches.

"The girls are going to do the best they can do this weekend after such a long break. It's eight weeks until the most important game so we'll try out a few different combinations.

"This might be the first weekend where I've had all players available for a game. It's always a great game against Panthers and they've got a couple of strong key players like Jess Matthews and Ella Welsh.

"We've been the standout teams this year and this will certainly be a fantastic game. We'll be pushed to the limit and that's going to give us a great idea of where we are at."

The Panthers and Collegians clash starts from 3.45pm.

Following this Saturday's round the top four teams in A grade will split off into their own series while the remaining squads will fight for the A reserve title.

Third placed Bulldogs Verdelho will hope to enter the race for the prize with a win over Mana at 2.30pm.

Panthers Agriwest and Scots All Saints College will play off for the remaining finals spot at 1.15pm.

In other games CSU plays Bulldogs Hurricanes (1.15pm) while Panthers Toshacks and Mustangs face off (2.30pm).