League: Season gets serious with finals series looming

It's that time of the year, when emotion and determination run high and it's do or die time.

This weekend will see the start of the Rugby League Northland's finals series with Otangarei Knights taking on Portland Panthers.

Otangarei have built steadily through the season and have been one of the top performing teams in the competition. A positive change in on-field discipline this season has helped coach John Hunapo get the best football out of his charges.

Otangarei made the top six last year but were bundled out of the minor semifinals when they narrowly lost to Moerewa Tigers. They will be looking to improve on their finals placing.

Portland, who were also beaten at this stage last year by Hokianga Pioneers, have had an indifferent season.

Traditionally slow starters to the regular season they have also been hampered with injuries and at times lack of numbers. However, they seemed to have found form later in the season. The winner of this match will advance to next week, while the loser can start planning for the 2017 campaign. In the second semifinal, 2016 Minor Premiership winners Takahiwai Warriors will take on Moerewa Tigers in a repeat of last weekend's game, which saw Takahiwai wrestle their way to an impressive win. Both teams have been front-runners in the competition, Moerewa being the only team to beat Takahiwai during the season.

Moerewa were knocked out of contention in 2015 when Takahiwai scored in the last few minutes of the semifinal to advance to the grand final.

It is a situation Moerewa's captain and coach, Peter Prime, does not want to be in again. Takahiwai will know that Moerewa will be hurting and coaches Mark Freeman and Shane Hool will be wanting to build off the good win against the Tigers that secured them the Minor Premiership.