But, ultimately, the inexperienced home side came up short, losing 59-52. A surprise loss in the opening round to the competition's surprise package, Wellington, has left Otago in desperate need of a win.
With just a bonus point to its name, the province can ill-afford a loss to Western at the Edgar Centre tomorrow.
Western is also in dire need of competition points, having lost both its round-robin matches.
"If we are going to do it then this has to be it," Otago coach Deb Tasi-Cordtz said.
"It is a must-win for us - that's how we've been treating it. It's our final, really."
Tasi-Cordtz said her side had been brushing up on the little things at training this week and, despite back-to-back losses, there was still plenty of belief in the camp.
"We just need to play smarter netball," she said, adding her side's inexperience had probably been the difference in the two narrow losses.
"We get some nice ball but we've been a bit frugal with it and need to be a little bit sharper with it."
New Zealand Under-21 defender Jess Moulds had a good first half against Canterbury and the shooting combination of 18-year-old Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Greir Campbell has gone surprisingly well this season.
It was expected to be an Achilles' heel, but Tasi-Cordtz said she was pleased with the shooting pair's progress.
It has been a good week for Selby-Rickit. She was named in the Southern Steel squad on Wednesday and will join her older sister, Te Huinga Reo, in the combined Otago-Southland franchise.
Tasi-Cordtz said her promotion was good reward for a strong season with Dunedin club side Southern and some solid work for Otago in the under-21 and Lois Muir Challenge tournaments.
"She's a very talented and quite natural player. She's nice and tall and an accurate shoot."
Selby-Rickit might have to mark her other sister - Miriama Selby-Rickit. Miriama usually plays at the other end of the court, but has been known to slot in at goal defence.
The Selby-Rickits will not be the only sisters involved in the game. Erika and Lauren Burgess will suit up for Western.
Burgess was not part of the squad initially, but her late arrival will bolster the defence. The Steel wing defence is likely to play in the defensive circle with New Zealand Under-21 player Jodi Beaumont, while Lauren will probably don a midcourt bib.
Burgess stiffens a useful defensive unit, but it is at the other end of the court where Western will look to assert pressure.
Former Otago Rebels shooter Chantelle Ngaia has struck some good form and her combination with Central Pulse shooter Amber Bellringer will be crucial for the visitors.
Otago has depth in its defensive circle, with Moulds, Louise Thayer, Hannah Broederlow and Jaimee Power all competing for court time.
The battle for game time in the midcourt is a little clearer, with wing attack Shannon Francois performing strongly last week and both Hayley Saunders and Claire Kersten making an impact.
In the other matches, defending champion Auckland-Waitakere will host Wellington and Canterbury is at home to Southland.
