A team which has been there and done it all before almost on a constant basis, and the new kids on the block with plenty to prove.
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This weekend's RSL-Whitney Cup semi-final will feature two sides at very different stages of their development.
RSL-Colts and CYMS do battle at No. 1 Oval this weekend, the former littered with experienced campaigners and multiple premiership winners and the latter with just three players over the age of 22.
"It always helps having been there before and knowing what intensity semi-finals and grand finals bring," Colts captain Chris Morton said.
Colts missed the finals last season for the first time in a decade but returned to form this summer and finished only behind minor premiers Newtown.
For CYMS, this marks the side's first trip to the finals since 2012/13.
"It's really awesome," CYMS captain Ben Knaggs said of the occasion.
"It's exciting because we've got such a young group ... it's been a big effort and we're all buzzing."
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Knaggs said nothing can be taken away from Colts and he's all too aware the side has won its fair share of semi-finals.
For him and his side its all a new experience, and one that he is still coming to grips with in just his second year as captain.
"It's still not really sunk in," the Cougars captain said.
"It does feel like another game but for me, the older heads have helped a lot. Guys like Ben O'Donnell, Ben Strachan and Nick Guthrie and then (club president) Marty Nelson is always around.
"They've helped me grow into it and helped me in the few dark times when I haven't known what to do. I couldn't thank them enough."
Morton is a vastly more experienced Whitney Cup player than Knaggs and while the CYMS skipper said it does just feel like any other game, the Colts man knows things change at finals time.
The intensity and pressure ramps up this time of year, and Morton knows it takes a lot to handle that.
"It's definitely different. The nerves really come out and with it being elimination you're playing for keeps," he said.
"It's just the nerves as the big one. I know even a few of our boys were saying earlier in the week they were starting to feel a bit nervous."
Those kind of emotions make the start of this weekend's match at No. 1 all the more important.
CYMS has won just twice since Christmas and Knaggs said his players have been getting themselves out early on, while Morton doesn't want a repeat of last time the two sides me when Colts was reduced to 8/106 at one stage.
"Batting 75 overs is the massive key," Knaggs said.
"If we do that we'll make a decent total and I know our bowling attack can defend anything over 200. Batting the 75 is big against Colts ... that requires a lot of patience."
"I think we've got to restrict early wickets," Morton said of his side.
"CYMS' strength is definitely its bowling so limiting the damage in that first session will be big. We bat deep and we've got a bit more aggression lower down with guys like myself and Jason Ryan so it's easier for us coming in later when the ball's a bit older."
Both sides go in with a clean bill of health and Morton confirmed Greg Buckley won't be back to play in the decider should his side make it after moving to Melbourne for employment earlier in the season.
Play starts at 1pm on both Saturday and Sunday at No. 1 Oval with the winner to go on and face Newtown in the grand final.