Elliott Ashby (front) in action.
Albion Park will meet arch rivals Wests in the Illawarra Credit Union men's hockey final at Ross Robinson Field on Sunday.
The winner will play premiers University in the grand final the following weekend.
Wests advanced to the final after defeating Fairy Meadow 4-1 in the minor semi-final, captain Elliot Ashby claiming a treble.
Albion Park lost to Uni 8-3 in the major semi-final.
Park and Wests dominated Illawarra men's hockey in 1980s and 90s and the early 2000s, regularly meeting in the decider.
Although playing second fiddle to Uni in recent times, Park have been too strong for Wests who are steadily rebuilding, scoring important wins over an albeit depleted Uni in the last round of the regular season, then Fairy Meadow who they had not beaten in the season proper.
"We've had a good run into the semis. We played University and Fairy Meadow which are both strong teams," Ashby said.
"So it was good to have two strong games ... the semi-final was a tough game. Hopefully that puts us in good stead for the game against Albion Park.
"University had four people out but we'll draw on that experience and know that on our day we think we're as good a team as anyone else in the competition."
Ashby said Wests' defence will have to be at its best against Albion Park.
"They play a pretty fast and active type of hockey," he said.
"So we've got to defend really well against them, not let them get any breakaways and hopefully we can pinch a few at the other end."
Ashby said Park had a lot of dangerous players, particularly teenage sensation Blake Govers and captain and playmaker Steve Mayo.
In last Sunday's minor semi-final Meadow scored first through a Tom Walker goal but Wests equalised with a well-directed penalty corner courtesy of Ashby, then Ryan Nichol rounded the keeper to hit home from the acutest of angles for a 2-1 half-time lead.
Ashby used his power to blast home his second goal and take Wests out to 3-1 ahead.
Realising their season was slipping away, Meadow threw everything at the Wests defence which held firm as Hayden Evans and Paul Munro were instrumental in repelling the Falcons' forwards.
With only seconds remaining Ashby swooped on a loose ball to push home his third and secure a berth in the final.
While disappointed, the Falcons have made great strides this year and can be well pleased to see their top grade return to finals hockey for the first time since 2009 and having Ollie Walker named first grade player of the year at the association's presentation night last Friday.
University started sluggishly against Albion Park in the major semi-final as the majority of the team played in the Sydney Premier League semis last Saturday.
Park took advantage to jump out to a 2-0 lead through goals to Jason Kast and Govers.
Uni got their legs working and goals to Tristan White and the season's leading goal-scorer, captain Simon Beaton, had them back on level terms at half-time.
Beaton added two goals to his first half goal, Tristan White scored a second goal and singles came from Matt Burke, Josh Walters and Brock McCraken.
Meantime, Illawarra Junior Hockey host their grand finals on Saturday.