It is difficult to argue Adelaide United and Sydney FC are not worthy contenders for FFA Cup glory given the strength of their performances in the Semi Finals.
The two former winners booked a rematch of the 2017 decider courtesy of clean sheets and a combined five goals at the penultimate hurdle.
Come with us as we revisit each round and re-live the story of the FFA Cup 2018, now focusing on the Semi Finals!
BACKGROUND: Story of the FFA Cup 2018, Quarter Finals
BACKGROUND: Story of the FFA Cup 2018, Round of 32
BACKGROUND: Story of the FFA Cup 2018, Round of 16
Halloran helps Adelaide on their way
With two FFA Cup Final appearances already to their credit, Adelaide simply seem to know how to navigate knockout football.
Their discipline was on full display in overcoming a brave Bentleigh Greens in the first Semi Final of 2018.
Both sides had chances in a frenetic start to the match but it was Marco Kurz's side that made the breakthrough in the 21st minute through new boy Ben Halloran.
George Blackwood showed great skill to beat his man down the left and get to the byline, cutting it back for winger Halloran to net his first competitive goal in Australian football in five years.
Ryan Scott superbly denied the ex-Brisbane Roar man a second but, despite their fight, Bentleigh fell short in a Semi Final for the second time as Jordan Elsey turned in a rebound soon after the interval to seal the Reds' progression.
Sydney FC clinical in derby demolition
Winning, they say, is a habit, and holders Sydney FC seemed to have quickly made their new star signings familiar with the standards expected.
Off-season arrivals Trent Buhagiar, Siem de Jong and Adam Le Fondre all struck in the space of 26 second-half minutes to secure a 3-0 victory over rivals Western Sydney Wanderers in a blockbuster Semi Final.
What made the Sky Blues' win so extraordinary was the pressure they came under during the first half.
Goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne kept Sydney FC in contention with fine saves to deny Brendan Hamill and Oriel Riera before the game swung dramatically after the interval.
Buhagiar netted first from de Jong's perfectly-weighted through ball before the Netherlands international then turned scorer with a sumptuous free-kick.
Le Fondre's penalty then emphatically punched Sydney FC's ticket back to the big time.