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The women will have their role to play, but the stars in each camp expect the result of the all-Shepparton elimination final between the Bears and Bombers to rest with the men.

Bombers Jarrod Bingham and Tim James will lock horns with Bears Bruce Ferguson and James Curtis-McDonald to keep their respective clubs’ season alive.

Nick Gattuso is the Bombers’ third man, while Joel Bourke completes the Bears’ male line-up.

Usual No.1 Ferguson played No.2 last time the clubs clashed and beat James 8-6, but Bingham cruised to an 8-3 success over Curtis-McDonald.

Ferguson defeated Bingham 8-6 in round three, but the latter scored revenge in Shepparton’s club championships semi-finals last month, when he blitzed the veteran 6-1, 6-1.

‘‘We’ve played them two years in a row in a final and we seem to always end up playing in a final,’’ Bingham said.

‘‘I suppose we have the edge on paper over them, based on us winning the last two. That doesn’t mean much when you get to finals ... but we’ll draw confidence from winning them.’’

Bingham, who planned to play an aggressive brand of tennis, said it would also be advantageous to pinch at least one set from Bears No.1 Hope Curtis-McDonald.

That is unlikely to be in the singles, where Curtis-McDonald is unbeaten in 13 sets.

The Redferns — Kate and Jodie — and Nicole Limbrick have the big challenge, while Curtis-McDonald’s female teammates are Izzy Gribben and Jessica Mason.

Limbrick initiated a Bombers team dinner after training last night as a bonding exercise.

‘‘We’re really jelling off the court and that will help us on the court,’’ Bingham said.

Curtis-McDonald backed her men to perform well, but was wary of the Bombers’ women.

‘‘Their girls are very capable and are good at doubles, so we could struggle in those sets,’’ Curtis-McDonald said.

‘‘But our girls will be able to step up and play well. I’ve got to make sure, especially in the doubles and mixed, that I volley well and put it away rather than holding back.

‘‘They’re really tough overall and have got good players in their team, so we know it’s not easy, but we could just get over the line.’’

Curtis-McDonald was confident of continuing her undefeated singles run, but said the overall winner will likely be the team which plays better on the day.