The Ants had won 33 games straight including the 2017 grand final until Saturday’s 16-8 major semi-final loss to arch rivals University of Newcastle.

University have booked their spot in the grand final and Aberglasslyn, who went through the regular season unbeaten to claim the minor premiership, must beat Raymond Terrace in Saturday’s LLT A-grade preliminary final at Lakeside Oval to defend their title.

Minor premiers East Maitland Griffins (C-grade) and Woodberry Warriors (B-grade) continued their outstanding regular season form and will both feature in their respective grand finals after major semi-final wins.

The Warriors had a titanic battle with Wallsend Maryland Tigers, eventually running out 22-18 winners.

The Tigers play University in Saturday’s preliminary final for the other grand final spot.

East Maitland returned to their best smashing Windale 44-16 in the major semi-final. The Griffins have the week off as Windale meets Morisset in the preliminary final.

Paterson River and Abermain Hawks are in grand final action on Saturday in the D-grade north and south conferences respectively.

Paterson River continue their fierce rivalry with the Gloucester Magpies after beating Stroud 32-20 in the preliminary final.

The record between the two teams this season is a draw and two wins for the Magpies but the Paterson boys are ready to win the one that counts.

Abermain Hawks will be sentimental favourites among most after they try to put the loss of their clubhouse in a deliberately lit fire with a grand final win against Cardiff.

The Hawks had been on top of the world after securing their spot in the grand final with victory in the qualifying final on August 25.

But the following Monday night they were left in shock with their clubhouse destroyed by a deliberately-lit fire.

The footy world has rallied to help the club with former Newcastle Knights chairman Brian McGuigan and the current Knights administration pledging support for the Hawks, who have their past eight games.