The side is the last team in the final 16 of the Bill Cullinan State Cup from outside the Sydney area. 

Coach Brian Bertolin said the players are up to the challenge.

“There’s a little bit of that (us versus them) mentality but I think it’s always the case,” he said.

“You always want to give it to big brother.

“We don’t talk about it, but it’s in the back of our guys’ heads.

“You get the feeling they (Sydney) look down on us a little.”

The boys in blue will look to continue their hot streak in the Cup this Saturday when Sutherland side Gymea United make the six-hour journey out west.

Bertolin doesn’t look at the match as a pressure situation.

“It's a big game and a big thing for a Griffith team to be in the final 16,” he said.

“We look at it as an opportunity to go one step closer.

“Up until now we haven’t thought about the tournament a lot.

“Now it's all systems go.” 

Bertolin said having the home crowd behind them will be a huge advantage.

“It’s massive,” he said.

“It’s always better when you get to sleep in your own bed.”

Another advantage of playing at home was player availability.

Out of the 18 registered players, 14 will likely take to the field.

Sevi Tropea, Jordan Lando, Jordan Beltrame and Brendan Cappello will all likely miss this week’s clash.

The match will take place at Hanwood Oval this Saturday with kick-off set for 4.30pm.

Hanwood also played a mid-week match in the Griffith District Football Association first grade competition against Yoogali FC. After taking a 1-0 lead into the break, Hanwood ran away with it in the second and won 4-1.