By Chris W.B

It's that time of year again, where the two finest teams in the ASRL do battle for the ultimate prize in rugby league- the ASRL Premiership.

For the second consecutive year, Gold Coast go in as underdogs, despite being minor premiers on both ocassions. Last year it was the Taipans, crusing through all comers with fine form, and this year the Maulers have emulated that achievement- undefeated after four grueling games of league against the cream of the ASRL crop.

With the game only twenty four hours away, what better way to help the tipsters than to give them a comparative study of the two sides?

THE FULLBACKS
Luke Phillips vs. Kris Radlinski
Whilst Radlinski is an international, there is virtually no separating these two classy, defensive fullbacks. Phillips has probably been the most influential player in North Melbourne's finals campaign, whilst Radlinski has a habit of popping up to save Gold Coast in pressure situations.

THE WINGERS
Andrew Walker and Rhys Wesser vs. Tommy O'Reilly and Waisale Sovatabua
Walker and Wesser are two of the league's classiest wingers, dominating their more fancied opposition with sheer speed. Whilst Wesser was next to ignored by former coach Jelly Adams last season, he has flourished on the run-on side all year. Meanwhile, Tommy O'Reilly and Sovatabua have been exciting all year for the Crusade. A good, tough battle.

THE CENTRES
Matthew Gidley and Anthony Stuart vs. Chris McKenna and Brian Carney
An area where the Gold Coast have an advantage. Gidley has been quiet all year, whilst Stuart faces the challenge of his life, marking the English and Irish winger. McKenna and Carney have slaughtered all comers this year, and could turn things in Gold Coast's favour.

FIVE-EIGHTHS
Scott Hill vs. Chris Latham
Scott Hill is one of the finest players in the league, and should be a key factor if North Melbourne are to take out this year's premiership. Latham, in his own right, is a dominant player- although he's spent much of the year on the wing- and will struggle in 5/8th.

HALFBACKS
Ben Kusto vs. Andrew Johns
Youth vs. Experience. Kusto has been exciting these past few weeks, but can he control the freak that is Andrew Johns? While Kusto is a quality individual player, it is Johns' organisational skills which could be a deciding factor.

THE PROPS
Robbie Kearns and Richard Peleasina vs. Nathan Cayless and Iafeta Pelea'easina
It's a Kiwi zone, and Kearns is stranded in the middle of it. Both front row pairings are formidable, although one can't go past the sheer size of Gold Coast's lumbering prop combination. Cayless has been itching for a start of late, and gets his chance this week.

HOOKERS
Richard Swain vs. Danny Buderus
Two players of contrasting styles, both looking to push their side to victory. Swain is a defensive monster, whilst Buderus offers Gold Coast a huge array of attacking options. A key battle in deciding the outcome.

THE SECOND ROW
Stephen Smith and Joe Galavao vs. Jason Croker and John Eeles
Smith is a centre by trade, whilst Galavao is inexperienced at best. Put up against two of the oldest men in the game, you'd expect them to be butchered. But Galavao and Smith have shown plenty of bravery and skill this year, and may surprise the two old warriors.

LOCKS
Tasesa Lavea vs. Ashley Harrison
Harrison holds a distinct advantage here, as Lavea has only played a few games this season in lock. Lavea, at best, has been shaky- and will need to lift if he intends to lead the Maulers to victory.

THE BENCH- NORTH MELBOURNE
Tawera Nikau, Paul Sculthorpe, Craig Stapleton and Paul Wellens
Nikau and Stapleton will bash, whilst Wellens and Sculthorpe will look to outpass, out kick, out run and outplay the slower Gold Coast bench.

THE BENCH- GOLD COAST
Karle Hammond, Josh Perry, David Raelke and Dane Carlaw
Hammond represents the backs, whilst the remaining three are a trio of the league's brightest young forward stars. They'll go in planning to bash through the North Melbourne defence, just as they have done all year.