A red-hot start is guaranteed in Sunday's Super Netball preliminary final between NSW Swifts and Melbourne Vixens.
Neither side has been in great form of late, with both dropping three of their last five and the Vixens losing three straight matches, all against the other semi-finalists before beating Collingwood in last week's elimination semi.
The Swifts took 15 points to the Vixens one in their two regular season clashes but both coaches are adamant that counts for nothing going into the match at Sydney's Quaycentre.
"It doesn't matter what happens in the rounds, you start afresh, but it's a great opportunity for us to turn those two results around," Vixens coach Simone McKinnis told AAP.
Asked what Swifts had done well against her team in the earlier matches McKinnis said: "Their ability to maintain possession of the ball and score off their gain ball.
"We didn't score off our gain ball early and that put us on the back foot and we struggled with space and movement in attack, but certainly thats something that we've been working on and improving on."
McKinnis said her side needed to start with the same intensity and focus which enabled them to streak to a 20-9 quarter-time lead against Collingwood last week.
Her Swifts counterpart Briony Akle highlighted the importance of denying Vixens that momentum.
"We've got to turn up and start well, and get on top of them early because otherwise I think they will take that confidence into our game," Akle said.
Akle has worked her charges hard during the week, as the Swifts seek to rediscover the consistency and form they displayed in the first half of the season.
"It's back to pre-season intensity, attackers versus defenders, very exciting training times, it's been real hard," Swifts' goal defence Maddy Turner told AAP.
"They (Vixens) have definitely improved since we last played against them and I think we've got to bring it and stick to our game plan."
The winner will advance to the grand final decider away to minor premiers Sunshine Coast Lightning, who will be looking for their third title win in as many seasons of Super Netball.
SUPER NETBALL'S PRELIMINARY FINAL SHOWDOWN
* Ladder positions and points: Swifts: 2nd (78) Vixens 3rd (63)
* Head-to-head this season: Swifts 2-0
* All time head-to-head: Vixens 3 Swifts 2 , 1 draw
* Finals record: Swifts: 0-1, Vixens 1-2
* Recent formline: Both teams are 2-3 in their last five games.
* Leading shooter: Swifts: Sam Wallace 568 goals, Vixens: Caitlin Thwaites 465