Maitland have clinched the NPLW Northern NSW premiership and now have their sights set on the championship.
Since being beaten 1-0 by Charlestown Azzurri in last year's grand final, the Magpies have had their eyes on the prize.
They have been the team to beat for most of this season and finished top of the points table on 49 points after the competition's final round on Sunday.
The Magpies only dropped points in two games this campaign - a 1-1 draw with third-placed Lake Macquarie (25) in round 11 and a 2-1 loss to second-placed New Lambton (46) in round 16.
Maitland host New Lambton in the qualifying final at Cooks Square Park on Saturday (4pm) while Lake Macquarie are home to fourth-placed Broadmeadow (19) in the elimination final on Sunday (4pm).
There is plenty of talent in this league and the big-name players, such as twice-capped Matilda and goalscoring machine Tara Andrews (New Lambton), are expected to stand tall under the pressure of finals.
We also asked the coaches who they thought could influence this finals series and came up with this list.
Renee Pountney: One of four Magpies with national league experience along with Josie Morley, Sophie Nenadovic and Sophie Stapleford. The 26-year-old's finishing has been first-class this campaign, scoring 21 goals for the league's second-highest tally behind Andrews. She has also assisted plenty.
Sophie Stapleford: An absolute warrior in this team who bleeds black and white. Quite simply put, Stapleford is Maitland. A true leader who wears her heart on her sleeve and never says die. The 31-year-old has speed to burn and a lethal left foot and coach Ben Horgan reckons the experienced winger has the best delivery from wide areas in the league.
Georgia Amess: One of the most experienced players in this competition but often unsung. The 31-year-old livewire is a non-stop running machine, wreaking constant havoc down the right wing. She is Maitland's second-highest scorer with 11 goals this campaign and no stranger to finals with plenty of big-game experience.
Elodie Dagg: Widely regarded as one of the most talented footballers in this league, Dagg makes stuff happen. The playmaker joined Maitland this year and has brought the X-factor they were perhaps missing in an already very strong steam. Clever at operating between the lines, Dagg unlocks defences with creativity and skill.
Sophie Nenadovic: A dominant force in midfield, the former Australian youth representative can control the tempo of the game, is smart and clinical with her distribution and adds to Maitland's attacking options with long-range passing and shooting.
Tara Andrews: A Newcastle Jets legend, twice-capped Matilda and a force to be reckoned with in this competition. The 32-year-old secured another leading scorer's title in NPLW with 32 goals in 17 games. Is a constant threat to the opposition defence and can score in a manner of ways. Also drops in to pick up the ball, create space and play incisive passes in behind for her teammates.
Molly Salvador: The lightning-quick 20-year-old is having a breakout campaign at New Lambton. Salvador is fast and versatile, equally adept at playing in defence or attack. She makes penetrating runs down the sideline, wins her one-v-one battles and can pop up and score goals too.
Caitlin Pickett: A strong, attacking player with deceptive speed, Pickett holds her ground and wins her challenges. Comfortable assisting or scoring, the 27-year-old has an eye for goal and is New Lambton's second-highest scorer with nine goals this campaign. Also a talented AFL player and super fit.
Lauren Allan: The long-serving Newcastle Jets winger is a relentless attacking threat. Has plenty of finals experience, winning championships with both New Lambton and Warners Bay in this competition. Allan has quickly racked up the goals since joining the Eagles midseason, scoring eight goals in as many games.
Brianna Trappett: A versatile player with speed to burn, Trappett can play any position and do a job. The 25-year-old has experience playing in the United States college system and wins her defensive battles. Dangerous when pushing forward.
Cassidy Davis: The Newcastle Jets captain is finally back on the field after a troubled last A-League campaign due to bursitis and tendonitis in both heels. After a lengthy rehabilitation program, the 32-year-old midfielder has flown under the radar with four appearances off the bench for New Lambton in the past month. While Davis is still building back, her presence for New Lambton in finals cannot be undervalued.
Kiera Bainsfair: A box-to-box midfielder who has a huge role to play as Lake Macquarie make their first finals appearance in NPLW. She controls the midfield and is playing with a lot of confidence at her new club. Although it is Lakes' first finals appearances, the hard-working Bainsfair is one of a number of players in this team with finals experience.
Keziah White: The hard-working defensive midfielder has been one of Lake Macquarie's most consistent performers this campaign. White reads the play well, wins back a lot of ball and settles the play for her side.
Sunny Mitchell: Described by coach Gabrielle Blanch as "our silent assassin", Mitchell never stops. Arguably the fittest player in her team, and likely one of the fittest in the league, the 21-year-old is also super reliable. Defends well but also ignites the attack.
Larissa Ryan: A rising talent who has played her way into a regular first-grade starting position. Blanch reckons Ryan has "insane goalscoring potential", and plenty of goals in her. Could be City's X-factor in finals.
Alyssa Togo: A standout defender in the league who has the ability to shape City's attack from their defensive third. Blanch doesn't reckon there are many in this league "at her level". Another player with finals experience, being part of Azzurri's back-to-back championship-winning side in the past two years.
Anya Lowe: A smart and steely centreback, who produces a 100 per cent effort every game. Lowe never shies away from a challenge, always putting her body on the line and doing whatever it takes for the team.
Megan Janikowski: The Californian centre-back has proven an inspirational leader on and off the field since joining Magic this season. Her leadership will be crucial this finals series after Broadmeadow snuck into fourth in the final round.
Ava Lidden: A talented young footballer who pulls the string in midfield, combining quality on the ball with an incredible work rate. Lidden has a big role to play as Magic look to keep alive their season.
Ruby Cook: Coach Jason Konjarski reckons Cook's return has come at the perfect time with the central midfielder proving "an important piece of the puzzle" for Magic. Among a number of players to make their first-grade debut at the club this year and is more than holding her own.
Wimberley Wright: Another classy American capable of turning the game on its head in an instant. The 24-year-old Texan is a major threat in the final third and has scored 15 goals this campaign for the third-highest tally in the league.
