Playing their penultimate game of the season, the top two sides in the competition went at it for 80 brutal minutes.

The stakes couldn't have been higher. For the Wombats, a second-straight premiership beckoned. For Campbelltown, a chance to upset the competition's benchmark and keep their title hopes alive.

Read more: Bulldogs clinch AFL South Coast win, bury Northern Districts' finals hopes

A win would have capped a remarkable turnaround for the Harlequins, the side rebounding from a tough couple of seasons to emerge as a genuine contender. Saturday's performance showed they will continue to challenge in the year's to come.

Ultimately, however, it was the defending champions who prevailed, their big-game experience proving too much in a 24-22 victory.

The match played out like many grand finals do, a tense, sometimes scrappy, slugfest. Tensions boiled over at times.

Both teams had their opportunities to break through and both teams defended with a desperation reserved for the biggest game of the year.

In the end, Avondale inside centre Andre Itula was the difference, the veteran crossing for all four of his team's tries to secure the win and the Peter Woods Shield.

"We said to the boys, if we're putting a team into this short season, we're going to go and win it," Avondale coach Joe Aiono said. "To do it two years in a row is a big achievement for the club.

"That Campbelltown side has come a long way this year, some of their boys were awesome today. We haven't really had that challenge this year, against a good side like that. It was a grand final for us and we met that challenge, so I'm very happy."

Campbelltown's intent from the outset was clear. Pin Avondale in their own 22 and control the pace of play.

It was a strategy that forced the visitors into a number of uncharacteristic errors, with the Harlequins spending much of the first half on the attack.

The Wombats, however, held firm defensively and in their first real attacking foray, Itula broke through to open the scoring.

The centre's second was a piece of individual brilliance, a chip over the top from inside his own half leading to a long-range try and a 12-0 lead.

The hosts quickly hit back, the margin cut to seven at the break.

The first 20 minutes of the second stanza played out like the first, Avondale desperately defending their own line.

Unable to break through, the Harlequins eventually settled for a penalty goal to cut the gap to four.

The hosts gained three points, but the Wombats viewed it as a win.

It didn't take long for Itula to add his third, before a fourth with four minutes to play sealed the victory.

Trailing by nine in the final minute, Campbelltown scored after the siren to narrow the margin to 24-22.

"Our older heads, cooler heads stood up again," Aiono said. "That stuff from Andre was just off the cuff, he just saw what's in front of him and played it. It's awesome to have him in the team."

Avondale have now won two titles in a row and three of the last four and they are already looking to 2021.

A number of the team's veterans look set to retire after next week's clash with Camden.

Aiono, however, is confident this is not the end of a dynasty but a chance for the club's youngsters to shine in the top flight.

"We've had a few chats to some of the old heads. To win it last year and win this one, I can say they'll finish on a good note. It's a good way to finish off, with another premiership.

"I've tried to mix up the older guys and younger guys the last two years. There's a lot of younger guys here that are excited for the future.

"I'm looking forward to working with them, hopefully we can produce another champion team."