After finishing the first round at the top of the table, the Arrowtown side lost its way towards the end of the second round, dropping three consecutive games and fighting to hold on to a draw in what turned out to be the last round-robin game against Alexandra at the end of June.
Meanwhile, Wakatipu has gone from strength to strength.
After a shaky start to the season, the Queenstown side has been consistently improving and it claimed top spot on the table and locked away the White Horse Cup for the year.
Tomorrow, for the first time in seven years, the two teams will meet in the Central Otago premier rugby final where the championship title - and bragging rights - are on the line in what promises to be a fraught encounter.
The relief on Arrowtown coach Hayden Finch's face last weekend was evident after his side snatched victory from Clyde-Earnscleugh in the 84th minute of its semifinal at the Queenstown Events Centre, in what he described as a "lucky" win.
It is the fifth consecutive year the Bulls have made the Central Otago final, but the last time the side took the title was in 2009.
Arrowtown seemed to be the team to beat early in the season, but now finds itself as the underdog, finishing second in the table behind Wakatipu.
"I'm not sure what's actually happened [to the team's form] - we have to peak for one more game," Finch said.
"We know that we can play really well. We've put in a couple of really good performances this year.
"If we play well, we've got the ability... we just have to do it."
However, this weekend the side was being fuelled by more than just a trophy.
"It's quite important for a number of the boys. We've definitely talked about [what it means]," Finch said.
Among the motivating factors was Aidan Winter's imminent departure - the versatile captain is moving to Germany at the beginning of next month.
It was also likely to be the last game for club stalwart Nathan Pullar, who notched up his 100th game as hooker earlier this year and lock Daniel Dodds would be marking his century on Saturday.
Twenty kilometres away, the Wakatipu side is not short on motivation either, salivating at the thought of winning the title, which it last won in 2005 when it beat Arrowtown.
Coach Kelvin Middleton has been guiding the premier side for the past three years and, having 10 consecutive wins this season, believes the team deserves the Central Otago premier title.
Wakatipu has been battling for many years to hold its own in a competition dominated by 2001 champion side Maniototo and runner-up Arrowtown.
This year, however, the Wakatipu squad seems to have found a winning game plan and stuck to it.
Middleton said simplified tactics, combined with capitalising on players' strengths, had paid off, in a team built on players familiar with Wakatipu rugby.
However, he was under no illusions about the task ahead.
"We've played entertaining and exciting rugby, but finals footy is a completely different game.
"The one big [advantage] that Arrowtown do have is their current players have played a huge amount of finals footy.
"We're looking forward very much to the challenge - it's been many a year since the Wakatipu Rugby Club has been in the final."
Middleton said the side would be supported by Nathan Reid, who fractured his neck during the team's semi-final win over Maniototo.
"He's got feeling and everything and [is] up and about walking around just wearing a neck brace.He was a massive loss ...
"He's good ... but he won't be strapping the boots on."
CO Premier Rugby Final
Who: Wakatipu v Arrowtown.
Where: Molyneux Park, Alexandra.
When: 3pm tomorrow.
Transport: Both teams have supporters' buses leaving from their respective grounds at noon on a first-in, first-served basis. Wakatipu's bus will leave from the Queenstown Memorial Hall and the Arrowtown supporters' bus will leave from Jack Reid Park. The cost for both is $10 per person.
Wakatipu Premiers
Starting XV
1: Russell Longthorn
2: Mark Asolatu
3: Carrick McLellan
4: Ben Macdonald
5: Ben Sexton
6: Henry Youngman
7: Marcus Balchin
8: Jake Lawrence
9: Rich Stevens
10: Regan Pearce (c)
11: Mark Te Whaiti
12: Andre Broughton
13: Danny King
14: Tony Farley
15: Brad Robertson
Reserves
16: Brad Patterson/John Adair
17: Inoke Vi
18: Rafael Tuhura
19: Sol Frew
20: Feleki Uhrle
21: Karlo Aggerholm
22: Todd Schmidt
Coach: Kelvin Middleton
Assistant Coach: Damian Petre
Manager: Dwayne Turnbull
* Subject to change
Arrowtown Premiers
Starting XV
1: Matt Ropoama
2: Nathan Pullar
3: Ed Spence
4: John Morrison
5: Daniel Dodds
6: Ben Chisholm
7: Lee Murray
8: Eddie Sefo
9: Josh Brazier
10: Dylan Fletcher
11: Izzy Nayaloga
12: Aidan Winter (c)
13: Rhys Chamberlain
14: Matt Ryan
15: Kane Dodds
Reserves
16: Hayden Youngman
17: Jim O'Malley
18: Shane Clearwater
19: Daniel Eyles
20: Tyne Schofield
21: Nick Lynch
22: TBC
Coach: Hayden Finch
Manager: Glen Wallace
* Subject to change
Ahead of tomorrow's encounter in Alexandra, Otago Daily Times Central Otago sports correspondent Rhys Chamberlain takes a look at some of the key players for both sides.
Key players: Wakatipu
Openside flanker Marcus Balchin: A master at the breakdown and as quick around the paddock as they come.
No8 Jake Lawrence: New on the Central Otago rugby scene this year but quickly established himself as one of the best No8s in the region.
First five-eighth Regan Pearce: A master move by Middleton to give Pearce the captaincy and run him at the pivot. Has blossomed into a fine leader with good organisational skills.
Centre Danny King: He might be slight but there is no substitute for raw speed. Top try-scorer in the competition this year with 17.
Wing Mark Te Whaiti: The hardest man to tackle in Central Otago rugby, Te Whaiti adds to his strength with deceptive quickness. Right behind King in the try-scoring stakes.
Key players: Arrowtown
Lock Daniel Dodds: The hardest worker on the paddock every single game, the converted flanker is a machine on defence.
Lock John Morrison: Another with a huge work rate on defence. His lineout and aerial skills are second to none.
Flanker Ben Chisholm: A menace for opposing teams with ball in hand, Chisholm is a former Southland rep with good pace and strength.
No8 Eddie Sefo: Another new player to Central Otago rugby this year. Sefo is dynamic with ball in hand and can be hard to put away.
Second five-eighth Aidan Winter: The face of Arrowtown for a number of years, Winter is inspiration on the field and provides a wealth of experience.
