Wests skipper Jim Riddell says his team has shown enough to convince him they won't be out of place come finals.

They sit fourth on the Illawarra Hockey ladder and, being nine points ahead of fifth-placed Falcons, should comfortably qualify for the post-season.

Perennial powerhouse clubs Albion Park and Uni are again fighting it out for the minor premiership, and Robertson will complete the top four.

And while Wests hasn't claimed a big scalp yet, Riddell is confident an upset victory isn't far away.

And he's hoping it comes during the knockout stages.

"I think pushing into the semis any one of those top four teams can go on and win," Riddell said.

"I guess that's semi finals, once you get into that zone anything can happen.

"Every time we've played Albion Park and Uni we've pushed them as well.

"There hasn't been a dominating performance by either team, so it will be interesting.

"It would be great for a confidence boost but also just for a reward.

"The games we've had against them, we haven't been blown away on the field, we've been competitive and it's been close.

"I think one of the games against Albion Park they scored the winning goal in the final six seconds.

"We have the team to do it."

With Falcons and Dapto trailing the competition, it looks like Wests and Robertson are the only clubs capable of bringing an end to the reign of Albion Park and Uni.

Wests had the chance to peg one back on Robertson last week but went down 2-1 in a gripping affair.

Despite the result, Riddell believed his team dominated for a majority of the game and says the players will take confidence into this week's clash with Dapto.

Dapto is yet to win a game this season and Wests will be short-priced favourites to get the chocolates.

The real test will come when Wests take on Uni the following week.

The round 19 game will coincide with the National Country Championships, to be played over a week in Wollongong.

Riddell says it could be the best chance to knock off Uni before finals.

"The next six weeks is really important for us."

Meantime, Albion Park and University will go head to head this week in a clash of the titans, and Falcons will attempt to knock off Robertson at the Illawarra Hockey Centre.