With Penrith backrower Viliame Kikau free to play in the NRL grand final, the stage is set for a western Sydney war that will rock the foundations of Stadium Australia.
Kikau was cited for a shoulder charge in Saturday night's victory over South Sydney but escaped suspension and will take his place against Parramatta after paying a $3,000 fine.
The impact of Kikau's inclusion can't be overstated – the Fijian has enjoyed the most complete season of his career in 2022 and while the edge forward has always been a talented attacking player he's become one of the most feared hitmen in the game during the past 12 months.
Big hits and plenty of them were the order of the day for Kikau in Penrith's run to the premiership last year and he's carried that form all through 2022.
The preliminary final was no exception, and Kikau is sure to bring the thunder one more time when the Panthers face the Eels with everything on the line next Sunday.
"Everyone knows defence wins big games, so that's always a focus. Every team can attack, we can attack, but when it's time to defend everyone turns it on," Kikau said.
"It's one of the biggest things I work on every pre-season. When I came into the league I was really good with my attack but my defence was a bit off.
"It's hard in the NRL, playing back row you have to make reads, and I've been learning a lot."
Win or lose, Sunday will be Kikau's final game with the Panthers before he joins the Bulldogs in 2023 and he'll leave nothing on the field as he saddles up for one last ride with the club that's become his home.
Since arriving from North Queensland in 2016, Kikau has become one of the best backrowers in the world and a key component of Penrith's ascension to powerhouse status in recent years.
"Every game I've played this year, I've played it as my last and next week is my last-last. I'll give it everything. The goal is to keep my head calm through the week," Kikau said.
"I learned a lot the last few years. I took off from Fiji not knowing anything about rugby league. The biggest thing is I've been learning, Penrith has taught me a lot – not just as a footy player but how to be a better person off the field.
"It's a credit to the club, and the only way I think I can repay them is winning that game next week."
Kikau is sure to be dealing out the big hits against the Eels in what's expected to be a rugged physical battle between two of the most aggressive and powerful teams in the competition.
The extra heat from a local derby being played on the biggest stage all but ensures a torrid collision of the western Sydney rivals.
"I don't think there's anything bigger than this, battle of the west in a GF. It's gonna be a beauty, it's gonna be packed and Parra always turn up when they play against Penrith," Kikau said.
"The rivalry, I didn't really know it until I got to Penrith. Parra people hate Penrith and Penrith people are the same.
"I'm just trying to stay home this week, cause it's going to be a big one. Even compared to the last two years, we couldn't do a lot cause of COVID.
"Fans will be around the streets in Penrith and Parra and we just have to go through the week with everything that needs to be done.
"We still haven't done the job yet. There's one week to go."
