Albeit a prophecy originally relating to Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort, and a morbid one at that, it’s a perfect metaphor for Saturday’s Blowes Clothing Cup colts local derby preliminary final at Bathurst’s Ashwood Park, between Orange Emus and Orange City.

Simply, for one to move on the other has to be eliminated.

The two sides meet in Saturday’s sudden-death showdown on the back of very different results last weekend, the Lions were handed a 32-14 defeat by the Dubbo Kangaroos in the major semi-final while Emus scraped past Bathurst Bulldogs in the minor, winning 19-15.

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They’ve played out three thrilling encounters so far in 2018 too, Orange City claimed a 20-19 victory in round one and a 15-12 win in round six, before fighting back to salvage a 21-all draw in round 11.

“They’ve been three really good games when we’ve played City this year, but I think we’re probably in the best position we have been all season to beat them,” Emus coach Simon Thompson said, confirming all hands will be on deck for the greens.

“The feeling’s really good. Being a derby is one thing but then you consider we’re not just trying to get into a grand final, but a grand final at home. We’re certainly not short of motivation.

“The boys showed quite a bit of character in last week’s win and that result does give us confidence, but it’ll be tougher again on Saturday.”

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It’s been a long time since the two sides faced off at this stage of the year, the last time was 2008 in fact.

That year, coincidentally, the two Orange outfits’ preliminary final was also at Ashwood Park and the reward was also facing Roos in the decider. History shows Emus won that game, then went on to win the title as well.

Both sides boasted blockbuster line-ups back then and will again on Saturday morning.

The Lions’ pack is strong and bullied Dubbo at scrum-time last weekend, while in the backline the likes of Darcy Holmes, Lachie Lingley and Hayden Leopold all boast plenty of top grade experience.

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Like the Lions, Thompson says he and co-coach Shane Udy will be looking to their big names to stand up when it counts.

“There’s guys that have been given a lot of experience in the higher grades, like Louis Carr and Aidan Baker in the backline and then, it goes without saying, Sammy Greatbatch in the pack,” Thompson explained.

“We’re very blessed to have guys like that in our side and they’ll lead from the front, they always do. When they’re playing well the rest of the guys feed on that.”

Saturday’s colts preliminary final kicks off at 10am.