Play in some very difficult conditions - a poor playing surface - the Stallions overcame the Minor Premiers with a fine passing game that started to bare fruit within the opening 5' minutes of play as Alexander Canak volleyed home from close-range.

Sydney United seemed stunned, and only after Erick Anabalon's deflected long-range effort beat Vedran Janjetovic in the Sydney United goal on 23' minutes for the Stallions second goal, did the Reds awaken.

Luka Glavas orchestrated the side's venture down the left-flank. Glavas' square ball into the penalty-area picked out player/coach Ante Milicic whom finished with aplomb.

Marconi's dominance in midfield via the feet of Nahuel Arrarte, Vamara Diarra, Ousmane Toure and Ali Al-Hilfi was clear for all to see, and the Stallions reinstated their two-goal lead before the break via defender Wade Oostendorp whom was on-hand to make the most of some slack Reds defending to slot home.

Oostendorp was in the thick of the action after the break for the Stallions fourth goal. The defender rose highest to head a corner from the left-side on goal; a slight deflection off a Reds defender caught Janjetovic unawares, and the deficit became three.

To the Reds credit - on an afternoon where all went wrong for the side - Davor Bajsic's mazy run into the penalty-area, brought to an end by a Vamara Diarra tackle, left the referee with no choice but to award a penalty; converted by Luka Glavas.

In the end, the Stallions administered the closing stages with authority to seal a grand-final berth next weekend, though Ben Vidaic's straight red card on 85' minutes for an apparent elbow slightly tarnished celebrations following the final whistle.

Sutherland Sharks and Marconi Stallions will contest the Grand-Final next Sunday afternoon at CUA Stadium in Penrith with kick-off set for 3:00 PM.

Prior to the big one, the Super League Grand-Final will take place as PCYC Parramatta Eagles take on Spirit FC while both the U11 and U12's Metropolitan Grand Finals will also take shape earlier in the day.

-By Joseph Carlucci