If Wests beat Kurri, they're in, plain and simple. But if they slip up and Easts can overcome Norths on Saturday's one-dayers, then the young Easts side will pinch it.

On the surface you would fancy Wests, especially as Kurri's batting has been flaky at best this season.

But for Easts, it's really a bonus.

"If you would have said at the start of the season that with one round to go we'd be in contention for the finals, we'd have taken it for sure," club captain Michael Gavan said.

"We're a young side and we're building, but it hasn't been easy.

"This season we lost our leading run scorer in Trent Park, our top bowler in Josh Hicks and our English import Toby Godfrey. That's a big hole.

"We certainly lack the consistency of the top sides, but we've done really well to be where we are.

"Plus we've had two big gains since Christmas.

"Fast bowler Doug Loth has joined us from playing in second and third grade with Randwick. He's experienced and has fitted in really well. He took 3-29 against Kurri on Saturday and bowled superbly.

"In the second last over with the match on the line and Kurri needing 11 runs, he took two for none which pretty much got us home.

"And Brendan Allen has returned from Melbourne and is batting at number three. He's a handy bowler too, so they've been two great additions."

But Wests too are quietly confident - and why wouldn't they be.

They scored a commanding win over second-placed Thornton last round without four of their big guns - all with more than 100 games under their belts - in Luke Kealy, Tom Irwin, Andrew Trappel and Aaron Mahony.

Throw in the fact that skipper Mitch Fisher is struggling with an injury to his right ankle and couldn't bowl, and it was a terrific effort.

"To be without those four guys, who are four of the best I've ever played with, that's some effort," Fisher said. "It's a real confidence boost.

"I know if we get fourth we'll be up against City in the semi-final which is obviously a big challenge, but I reckon we have the players with big game experience to step up.

"And Harry King has been outstanding this season with the new ball.

"On our day I reckon we can beat anyone. It's just been a funny season because it's been hard to get any consistency because we seem to be washed out so often.

"But for now, we can only focus on Kurri."

In the other matches this weekend Tenambit Morpeth are at home to red hot favourites City United, and Thornton will be looking to bounce back when they are at home against Raymond Terrace.