The looming Sheffield Shield round could make or break all states, South Australian captain Travis Head says.
Leaders Victoria meet second-placed SA in Adelaide from Friday, while third-placed Queensland play fourth-placed NSW in Sydney.
And Western Australia, in fifth spot, will play sixth-placed Tasmania in Hobart in a round pivotal to title aspirations.
Head's Redbacks (31.1 points) are seeking to gain ground on pacesetters Victoria (36.67).
Queensland (29.19) and NSW (29.03) are also in the finals frame, with WA (19.7) and Tasmania (13.65) off the pace.
"It's definitely a big week within the whole competition, given who everyone is playing," Head said on Thursday.
"We play first, three and four play against each other and the bottom guys play against each other.
"So after this round, I think it will shape the season."
Injury-plagued paceman James Pattinson has been included in Victoria's squad for his first red-ball game since breaking down last February with a back injury while playing Test cricket.
And Head is wary of what Pattinson, who has returned via shorter formats, can produce in his comeback to four-day competition.
"Looking at the Big Bash, he bowled fast and bowled well," Head said.
"But ... he hasn't played a lot of four-day cricket so I'm not too sure what he's going to do.
"But he's a class bowler and adds to their strength."
The Bushrangers also added Australian limited-overs players Aaron Finch and Marcus Stoinis to their side for the Adelaide Oval fixture.
While Head said SA "let one slip" in a seven-run loss to WA last week, Victoria also tasted defeat - a result which put the Redbacks' skipper on alert about the Victorians.
"They have won the last two (Shield finals) for a reason and are sitting pretty," he said.
"They had a hiccup last week so it's probably not a great thing that they have been beaten and then they're coming here, because they are going to be firing."
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