University coach Dion Miller is counting on the real Mallee Bulls to turn up for Saturday's major semi-final against title favourites Avondale at Shoalhaven Rugby Park.

The Bulls finished second on the ladder and are expected to run out with their strongest possible line-up against the minor premiers.

Uni won 16 of 18 games, but they enter the play-offs knowing they lost both of their regular season clashes with Avondale.

Miller said the reigning champions were missing key players on both occasions and is looking forward to facing the Wombats with his best team.

"We didn't really gauge too much on those losses because we didn't have a full strength side," he said.

"This will be our first game against them with all our numbers on board. Everybody's fit and our development process has actually given us a bit of a headache with selections. At training this week everybody was trying to prove a point to make the cut.

"We've settled on the squad and it's just a matter of who's going to start on Saturday. We're just looking forward to being able to play Avondale with our full strength side and it'll give us a really good indication on how to approach the remaining games."

Miller is hoping referee Craig Conway allows the game to flow.

"The important thing for both teams is the officiating of the game," he said.

"Hopefully it's a game where the ball does all the talking, not the whistle."

Avondale haven't missed the finals for eight years, reaching the grand final on six occasions.

However, they have captured just a single premiership in that span.

"This is the best we've felt for a long time," Wombats coach James Patrick said.

"It feels a heap different than previous years, but whether that's a good thing or bad thing, we'll see on Saturday."

Avondale's only black mark all season was a 36-29 loss to Kiama in round 11.

The Wombats scored 876 points in 18 games and conceded just 177.

"To date I think we've been the best team, but finals footy is different," Patrick said.

"Everybody turns up because everybody plays all year to play in September. That's what it's all about.

"Our style and Uni's style are very similar. There's a lot of attacking flair in the Uni team and we've obviously got a fair bit as well, so it's going to be interesting. We want to continue on with our form and see what it brings."

Kiama coach Darryl Thomas said the Cows are in the right frame of mind for Sunday's minor semifinal against Campbelltown at Camden Rugby Park.

They shared the spoils during the season, with the Cows winning 50-0 at Campbelltown and the Harlequins prevailing 16-13 at Kiama.

"The boys are still talking about that, so I think it hurt them a bit, which hopefully helps us," Thomas said.

"It's been a pretty good buildup and the boys are excited.

"We've spent the week integrating the other guys, in terms of building it from a 15-man team to a 23-man squad.

"They'll be tough."