Look out University, Merewether Carlton have their mojo back.
The Greens accounted for a plucky Wanderers 50-29 in the preliminary final at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday to book a place in a fourth straight grand final.
The minor premiers will meet University in the decider at the same venue next Saturday.
After winning 10 straight games to start the season, Merewether's form had dipped in the past month.
They lost three of the past five games, including a 29-15 defeat to University in the major semi-final and 24-15 loss to Wanderers in the penultimate round.
However, with the pressure on against an in-form Wanderers they produced their best.
Defensively, they kept turning Wanderers away.
With the ball, they found space on the edges and made the Two Blues pay for mistakes.
"It's the first time in a while where we have had to play in the second week of the finals," Merewether coach Nick Bampton said.
"We really took on that challenge and accepted what we had to do.
"Not once did we doubt ourselves.
"Last week we probably weren't expecting the physically that University brought.
"We knew this week we were going to have to really step that up.
"Wanderers tried to punch through the middle with their big bodies."
Locks Nathan Brennan and Tom Jackson made it personal in the middle. Rhys Bray was also immense.
The return of Dom Moretti at fullback, alleviated the pressure off fly-half Adam Danckert.
Starting his first game since Anzac Day after recovering from an ankle injury, Moretti scored a try, played a hand in two others and continually kicked his side out of trouble.
"Dom was outstanding," Bampton said. "He gives us a voice out the back.
"He's just got that little bit of calmness that we probably were lacking a little bit in a back three."
Merewether led 12-8 after a dour first half.
Wanderers had a certain try pulled back inside a minute of the second half for a ruck infringement.
From there, Merewether took control.
Winger Lochie Robinson crossed n the right corner after centre Isaako Enosa had bent the line.
Two minutes later, Moretti collected a neat pass from Noah Jackson to go over.
All of a sudden it was 26-8.
Wanderers refused to wilt and closed the gap to 26-15 and 29-22.
The Greens responded.
Prop Nik Sykiotis charged over in the 66th minute to take the sting out of the Two Blues.
The lead blew out to 50-22 before Wanderers winger Harry Sansbury crossed at the death.
"We made too many errors and some poor decisions, which put us under pressure," Wanderers coach Luke Sherwood said.
"And Merewether were too good. Their defense was great. They marked up on our backs really well and we couldn't find any space.
"A few calls went against us as well, which doesn't help. The one after half-time in particular. I thought Mylanos picked the ball up from between his feet and was away.
"Unfortunately, that ended up being a 14-point turnaround.
"We kept fighting and the boys gave it their all.
"In big games you can't make those sort of errors. And it hurt us in the end."
Merewether went down 25-17 to Maitland in the 2025 grand final.
Bampton said the Greens had learnt from last season.
"We just really want to enjoy the week," Bampton said. "Enjoy what's about to happen."
