They say opposites attract, and that must be the case as the Narromine Gorillas and CSU Bathurst keep meeting in the most entertaining of circumstances this year.
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The two sides will do battle in the New Holland Agriculture Cup major semi-final at Cale Oval on Saturday, with hosting rights for this year's decider on the line.
The Gorillas and Mitchell Men have been the top two sides all year, with two of the three matches they've played up to this point being decided by four points or less.
They've been enthralling encounters as well, with the youthful CSU side throwing the ball around while the experienced Gorillas have relied on their forward strength and structure.
"There's been three great games and they play a very different style to us," Narromine's George Hancock said.
"They're dangerous all over the park and can score from everywhere while you could say we play a more traditional style with our older heads.
"But it's a good match-up."
READ MORE: CSU is buzzing ahead of Narromine showdown
With the attacking threat of the students so well known, Hancock said "it all comes down to defence" when looking at what's most important in the major semi.
"They're a side that's got points in them so we've got to get the defence right," he said.
"It takes a lot of concentration and you can't switch off because they might throw it around in their own half."
With the likes of Jack Keppel and Regan Hughes in the lineup, CSU has explosive power in its backline.
The Gorillas are a different beast, with the more experienced players in the Narromine side working from the set piece, keeping things tight in the middle while moving forward with patience, before giving the backs a chance to shine.
Hancock said his side has to "earn it up front" and that gives a clear indication of the different approaches.
"We won't throw it out there unless we've got the space," Hancock stated.
That's what the Gorillas did the last time the sides met at Cale Oval and it resulted in the one blow-out between the two sides this season.
That day the Gorillas ran out dominant 50-10 winners.
It's an opportunity for the whole town, the club, and the supporters.
- George Hancock on hosting the grand final
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But Hancock and the Gorillas aren't reading into that one too much, as the flyhalf knows "they want it just as much as we do" with hosting rights for the grand final on the line.
The Gorillas are looking for a second successive New Holland Agriculture Cup grand final at home, having edged past the Parkes Boars in last year's epic decider.
"It's a great opportunity," Hancock said.
"It's a huge day for the club if you can get it. That's the goal but obviously it is for them too, they want it just as much.
"It's an opportunity for the whole town, the club, and the supporters."
The Gorillas will be without Mick Harris for the match after he suffered a shoulder injury last weekend.
Kick-off in Saturday's major semi-final is 3.15pm.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
