By Julian Shea

Teams at the top of Super League may argue that the Grand Final is the season's biggest game, but fans of Wakefield and Castleford would beg to differ.

With newcomers Catalans Dragons exempt from relegation, the two sides battle it out to avoid the drop in the final round of the regular season on Saturday.

And while the winners of October's Grand Final at Old Trafford may pocket �290,000, the difference between victory and defeat in the more humble surroundings of Belle Vue is up to �1m in television money and advertising.

Saturday's clash is a Cup final in all but name - and few people know more about masterminding Cup final wins than two-time Challenge Cup winner, Wakefield coach John Kear.

When he replaced Tony Smith as coach in July, the Wildcats were five points adrift of the Tigers.

WAKEFIELD'S LAST 5 GAMES Castleford 0-18 Wakefield Wakefield 34-14 Catalans Wakefield 12-14 Leeds St Helens 34-12 Wakefield Bradford 12-20 Wakefield

Spookily enough, his first game in charge was against Castleford - and the subsequent 18-0 win set in process an end-of-season revival.

Now, following a magnificent 20-12 win at Bradford last weekend, the Wildcats can clinch survival with another taming of the Tigers.

"Full credit must go to John and the players for what they have achieved so far, and I still think there is more to come," said Wakefield chief executive Steve Ferres.

"It's the ultimate local derby because of what is at stake - it's a shame one of the clubs has to suffer, hopefully it won't be us."

Tigers fans know all too well about suffering at the hands of Wakefield.

It's the ultimate local derby because of what is at stake Wakefield chief executive Steve Ferres

Two years ago, the Wildcats condemned Castleford to their first relegation in 78 years, coming from 18-10 down at half-time to win 32-28 at the Jungle in the final game of the season.

Relegation to National League One proved costly for Cas.

Despite bouncing back at the first time of asking, they estimate the cost of being out of the top flight ran into seven figures.

With Super League planning to adopt a franchise system in 2009, the cost of demotion could be even bigger than usual this time around.

But if the worst happens, Tigers chief executive Richard Wright says his side will "remain a Super League club in all but name" to ensure they are ready for 2009.

CASTLEFORD'S LAST 5 GAMES Castleford 0-18 Wakefield Castleford 4-72 St Helens Bradford 48-10 Castleford Castleford 27-12 Harlequins Salford 26-16 Castleford

"Circumstances are very different this time around and we will continue investing in the business to ensure whatever happens this weekend, we will be in a position to take our rightful place in Super League come 2009," he said.

Just in case Saturday's game does not cause enough nail-biting in Wakefield and Castleford, relegation is by no means a certainty for the losers.

Of the six teams contesting the National League One play-offs, only Hull Kingston Rovers, Widnes and Leigh have met Super League's criteria to be allowed up.

So should Whitehaven, Rochdale or Batley win the Grand Final on 8 October, no-one will go down this weekend.

But that is unlikely to provide any comfort to fans of Wakefield or Castleford.

It will only prolong the agony.

Neutrals, on the other hand, can look forward to yet another night of drama in what has been one of the most eventful Super League seasons in years.