It is the Rabbitohs v the Bulldogs in what could be a barnstorming NRL grand final on Sunday. Dunedin writer Michael Minty breaks it down.
How they got there
Rabbitohs
A surprisingly slow start saw the highly touted Rabbitohs languishing in the bottom half of the table after the first few rounds.
They were not aided by a lengthy spell on the sideline from Kiwi hooker Issac Luke, who missed most of the first half of the season with injury.
A mid-season revival thanks to some hot performances from Sam Burgess and Dylan Walker saw the Rabbits start their charge up the ladder.
They briefly held top spot but eventually lost the minor premiership race in the penultimate round to the Roosters.
However, posting 18 unanswered points when the game was gone was an indication of things to come.
In the finals, they put 40 points on Manly in week one before completely out-muscling the Roosters in the preliminary final despite being behind on the scoreboard early.
Bulldogs
The Belmore boys were the early competition leaders thanks to a handful of clutch wins, mainly from the boot of Trent Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds.
Their form was rewarded with Origin duty.
However, the post-Origin period saw them lose that grittiness - leaking late points in games and limping into the playoffs.
In fact, they faced the possibility of missing them altogether.
Although they finished the regular season in seventh, gutsy wins over the Storm, Manly and Penrith during the finals see them well and truly battle-hardened.
Three key players
Rabbitohs
•Adam Reynolds
Peaking at the right time and his kicking game is second to none.
His combination with Luke Keary is growing by the game and his goal kicking was 100% last week.
Look for him to force repeat sets with pinpoint grubbers into the Bulldogs in-goal area.
•George Burgess
Normally, brother Sam gets the attention, but 120kg George is the one leading from the front here.
His first couple of carries will set the tone for the Rabbits forward pack and he'll no doubt get his chance with a few crash balls near the Dogs' line.
•Api Koroisau
Burst on to the scene early in 2014 when filling in for the injured Luke.
After 13 games in the hot seat it is now clear why Penrith's Gus Gould signed the Issac Luke clone.
A good workrate in defence and he will keep the markers honest if given half a chance to run.
Bulldogs
•James Graham
He has revolutionised not just the traditional propping physique but how they should play the game.
Should his team get up here, his hard-nosed defence, line running and deft passing skills will lead to a Clive Churchill medal around his neck.
•Greg Eastwood
Speaking of traditional physique, the top-heavy Kiwi backrower may look like your traditional hulking front-rower but he has an appetite for line breaks.
We could see that silky footwork open up the Rabbitohs.
•Josh Reynolds
Love him or hate, the man they call Grub could be a key player for all the wrong reasons.
He has had the odd brain snap but his competitiveness and niggle is relentless.
Whether it is a clutch field goal or pulling the wool over the official's eyes for a penalty, drama won't be far away from this kid.
Why they will win
Rabbitohs
They have X-factor all over the park, from the engine room through to the halves to the strike power out wide.
The collisions last week resembled a series of small car accidents, led by the Burgess twins.
They will again look to dent the Bulldogs' line and take the sting out of them.
Older brother Sam plays his last game for the red and green army so expect him to put in a superhuman effort that could land him the Clive Churchill medal for man of the match.
ANZ stadium may be be considered neutral to most Sydney teams but there is no denying the Rabbitohs are the darlings of this grand final.
The neutral will no doubt be backing South Sydney although it is a heavy favourite - and who doesn't love a fairytale ending?
Lastly, Greg Inglis - enough said.
Bulldogs
They are called the Dogs of War for a reason. Dragging the Rabbitohs into an arm-wrestle will be the only way Des Hasler's men have a chance in this final.
It's a simple equation for the Bulldogs: nullify the Rabbitohs' go-forward and then stifle their impressive backline.
A fast start in their past three games has seen the Bulldogs jump out to decent leads which they have been able to defend.
It is no secret second-half points have been hard to come by, so a halftime lead will be essential.
A fair share of possession will be paramount but it will be a case of how they use it.
Shifting the Rabbitohs pack around the park and starving them of the ball will could tire the big boys out.
The prediction
On paper and on form, South Sydney clearly looks the top pick despite the loss of Issac Luke.
Throw in the Sam Burgess/Ben Te'o swansongs and the 43-year drought, and a Bunnies win would be a fitting conclusion to the 2014 season.
The loss of Mick Ennis will hurt the Bulldogs more than the suspended Luke for the Rabbitohs but the Bulldogs have a knack of dragging teams into an arm-wrestle.
Providing they get an even share of possession, they should be within reach for the majority of the game.
However, after last week's crushing of the Roosters and the fact they had a week off to refresh, the Rabbitohs should have the legs and finish the stronger.
Don't be surprised if the score blows out near the end.
A fairytale finish for the Rabbitohs: 22-8.
