This was the reason Sam Higgins and fellow old-guard Mushies came out of retirement this year.
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At the end of fast and physical top-of-the-table clash, it was OVA who emerged victorious over Tamworth FC.
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Higgins believes the 3-1 scoreline was indicative of OVA's dominance, in what was the first encounter this year of the two most dominant sides of recent times.
And let it be known, in case it was not clear beforehand, that Oxley Vale Attunga - flush with returnee players from their golden era - are good things to reclaim their crown from reigning two-time premiers Tamworth FC.
Higgins said Saturday's clash at Riverside 4 was the "most physical" he had been involved in this season - the result the culmination of a lot of effort.
"That's what we've been working towards," he said. "You know, all the other games were kind of just pointless, really; this was the one.
"But having said that, it also sort of means nothing, doesn't it? We've still got a play them again, as well as potentially [playing them] in the grand final."
Along with Huggins, the old-guard returnees include Adam Watson, Ryan Searle, Luke Purcell and Brendan Fergie.
They were integral to OVA making 10-straight grand finals and winning six premierships in a decade, including three consecutive titles. Higgins said the veterans were now trying to "play a lot smarter".
"We're trying to do less running [than we used to] and let the ball do the work," he said.
In other matches, North Companions beat Moore Creek 3-2, Kootingal edged Gunnedah 2-1 and South United downed Quirindi 1-0.
