Back-to-back WNBL champions Bendigo have stood between Townsville and the silverware the past two seasons and plan to triple the Fire's pain when they meet in the major semi-final next weekend.
The finals make up is now determined with newly crowned minor premiers Townsville to get a shot a revenge when they host second-placed Bendigo next Sunday for a spot in the final.
Sydney Uni clinched fourth place on Saturday with a 82-80 win over Townsville, the victory pushing the Canberra Capitals out of the top four.
Sydney will now travel to battle third-placed Dandenong in Melbourne next Saturday in the minor semi.
Having fallen to Bendigo in the championship decider the past two seasons, Townsville are now the title favourites fresh off the back of claiming their maiden minor-premiership.
But Bendigo coach Bernie Harrower says with expectation comes pressure.
"They're certainly in the box seat and with the home court advantage in the semi it's going to help them," he said.
"They're red-hot favourites but they've also got that pressure on them now.
"They've got that monkey on their back, they've been in the final two years in a row and haven't won it and now they have no excuses.
"We go up there with no pressure at all, no-one expects us to win.
"But we know we're good enough, we've beaten them twice this year. We play well on the road so if we have a red-hot game we could steal the game off them."
Earlier in the round, Canberra's 85-75 win over Bendigo, which halted the Spirit's four-game winning streak, had briefly kept their finals hopes alive as they hung on to fourth spot.
But Sydney Uni's victory on Saturday sealed the Capitals' fate.
Opals point guard Leilani Mitchell, starred for the Flames scoring 19 points, seven rebounds and 12 assists.
Flames coach Shannon Seebohm said he felt his side deserved to snatch the final playoff spot.
"We talked to players during the week about having to step up and it was time for them to show exactly how good they are and they did," he said.
"They've been working their butts off and it's just a great reward for everybody."
Also on Saturday, Adelaide ended their campaign with a 89-71 win over Dandenong to finish in seventh place while Melbourne remained in sixth after their 64-61 win over wooden-spooners West Coast.
Meanwhile, Townsville will head into their semi on the back of a win after closing out the final round with a 80-77 victory over Dandenong.
SEMI-FINAL 1:
Saturday, Feb 21
Dandenong (3rd) v Sydney Uni (4th), Dandenong Stadium 3pm (AEDT)
Season head to head: Dandenong 2 Sydney Uni 1
25/10/14 - Sydney Uni 81 bt Dandenong 78, Dandenong Stadium
20/12/14 - Dandenong 91 bt Sydney Uni 72, Dandenong Stadium
03/01/15 - Dandenong 93 bt Sydney Uni 78, Brydens Stadium
Season record: Dandenong 12 wins, 10 losses, Sydney Uni 11 wins 11 losses
SEMI-FINAL 2:
Sunday, Feb 22
Townsville (1st) v Bendigo (2nd), Townsville RSL Stadium 3pm (AEDT)
Season head to head: Bendigo 2 Townsville 1
18/10/14 - Townsville 70 bt Bendigo 67, Townsville RSL Stadium
22/11/14 - Bendigo 78 bt Townsville 75, Bendigo Stadium
01/02/15 - Bendigo 66 bt Townsville 55, Bendigo Stadium
Season record: Townsville 17 wins 5 losses, Bendigo 15 wins 7 losses
PRELIMINARY FINAL:
Sunday, March 1
Winner SF1 v Loser SF2
GRAND FINAL:
Sunday, March 8
Winner SF2 v Winner PF
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