Reigning premiers Sliema RL will meet Malta Origin RL in this Saturday afternoon’s 2013 MRL Dove Men+Care Championship Final at Melita FC.

Sliema's Malcolm Attard and Malta Origin’s Joe Paolella will lead their respective squads that are both expected to boast a number of Malta national team and representative squad players, and with the former hoping to continue a winning streak that dates back two seasons.

In a sign of the strength of Malta's domestic rugby league scene, at least 70% of the players in Saturday’s decider are Maltese while a number of players have played in established leagues across Australia, England and Wales.

Having already won the Dove Men+Care Knock Out Cup trophy in June, Sliema RL have reached the 2013 grand final undefeated for the second consecutive season, while Malta Origin RL sealed their place in the championship decider with a comprehensive 54-22 victory over Gozo RL last Saturday.

Opposition captain Paolella said his team produced probably its most polished performance of the season in the win over Gozo.

“We put on a good display last week at the most crucial points of the match so we were always in control. The signing of Gareth (Barron) from the UK is something that brings a lot of experience to the team and also to the Maltese championship. But we need every one of our 17 to be on the ball in Saturday’s match” said 19-year-old Paolella.

“Sliema have proven over the last two seasons that they are a team that can produce a good standard for the whole 80 minutes. Anything less than matching them in that regards on Saturday won’t be good enough”

Malta Origin RL’s British prop import Gareth Barron was man of the match in his team’s last start win yet said he was looking for an improved performance personally.

“I wasn’t too happy with my own performance, this Saturday will have to be better, but I’m really looking forward to it” commented Barron.

Gates open at 1:30pm and kick off is scheduled for 2pm at Melita FC, Pembroke. A highlights package will be available on the MRL's Facebook Page and Youtube channel later in the week.

For more information, see www.facebook.com/maltaRL or www.malteserugbyleague.com.