Issak Fines helps Gungahlin Eagles soar into John I Dent Cup grand final against Canberra Royals

But "look, it's not going to mean much unless we can go through and take advantage of the opportunity" in the eyes of Eagles coach Marco Caputo.

They will meet the defending premiers in the Canberra Royals - a side Gungahlin demolished by 62 points a fortnight ago, but this will be a vastly different outfit.

Gungahlin advanced to their first grand final appearance since 2007 when they beat the Tuggeranong Vikings 17-10 at Viking Park on Saturday.

Across town Royals moved one step closer to back-to-back premierships after they beat the Uni-Norths Owls 27-14 at ANU North Oval.

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There were moments during the first half in which it seemed as though the Eagles were merely hanging on, just trying to stay in the contest against a rampant Vikings side who strung together almost 20 phases at various stages.

Tuggeranong looked the better side in the opening exchanges but lacked the final polish. Enter Eagles and ACT Brumbies scrumhalf Issak Fines.

The 25-year-old split the line and scored a try reminiscent of his match-winner for the Brumbies against the NSW Waratahs earlier this year. In the second half he sent a stunning long ball to Jamie Kotz to score a try which ultimately proved the difference.

"Dynamic. Some of the stuff in and around the ruck, if you were a defender there, you'd be shitting yourself with him sniffing around," Caputo said.

"When he does get his nose through, his ability to throw a long pass and hit the support on the money and finish those little breaks is outstanding.

"He's been great since he has been back, he certainly gives us a boost when we do get those breaks.

"We were one from five going into round six, I still had belief we were good enough to go and challenge. We've given ourselves the best chance, we just need to front up on the day, ready to play tough, ready to grind it out, ready to do whatever it takes."

The Owls' search for a maiden premiership since the joint venture came into effect 19 years ago continues, while Royals will look for their fourth in six years.

But coach Wayne Southwell will be sweating on inside centre Jamie Bodman after he was stretchered off with a deep cut, seemingly from a stray boot, in the dying stages.

Now an Eagles side boasting Matt Giteau, James Dargaville, Mack Hansen, Fines and Tom Ross will collide with a Royals outfit including Bayley Kuenzle, Connal McInerney, Tom Cusack, and perhaps Andy Muirhead.

"Obviously they have a huge impact just in their presence, let alone in their impact on the field," Southwell said.

"They've been turning up to training over the past couple of weeks with us, and just having them around the guys, that energy rubs off pretty well.

"We were very fortunate with the attitude those guys show. Our guys love playing with them. It's really important to us, and it gives us a lot of energy.

"It was very pleasing to see, we responded in the right areas we needed to."

AT A GLANCE

John I Dent Cup semi-finals: GUNGAHLIN EAGLES 17 (Jamie Kotz, Issak Fines tries; Matt Giteau 2 conversions; Giteau penalty) bt TUGGERANONG VIKINGS 10 (Tom Hooper try; Ryan Lonergan conversion; Lonergan penalty) at Viking Park.

CANBERRA ROYALS 27 (Rory Scott, Bayley Kuenzle, Connal McInerney tries; Pedro Rolando 3 conversions) bt UNI-NORTHS OWLS 14 (Will Miller, Jordan Thompson tries; Thompson 2 conversions) at ANU North Oval.

ACT Women Premier XVs: UNI-NORTHS OWLS 43 (Talei Qalo-Wilson 2, Crystal Papalii, Rosaline Aumale, Dana-Louise Deklin, Sammie Wood, Tania Afamasaga tries; Wood 3, Madeleine Gogala conversions) bt GOULBURN 0 at ANU North Oval.

CANBERRA ROYALS 17 (Ainsley Scrivener, Darcy Read, N/A tries; Ashlea Bishop conversion) bt TUGGERANONG VIKINGS 7 (Zali Waihape Andrews try; Kyree Parsons conversion) at Viking Park.

JOHN I DENT CUP GRAND FINAL DAY

Saturday: John I Dent Cup - Canberra Royals v Gungahlin Eagles at Viking Park, 3.15pm.

ACT Women Premier XVs - Uni-Norths Owls v Canberra Royals at Viking Park, 5.30pm.

Spence Cup [second grade] - Gungahlin Eagles v Tuggeranong Vikings at Viking Park, 1.20pm.

Third grade - Gungahlin Eagles v Wests Lions at Viking Park, 11.40am.

Fourth grade - Queanbeyan Whites v Wests Lions at Viking Park, 9.30am.