In a couple of days, one of two good mates: shearer Luke Dickens or Bondi boy Wes Carr, will become the sixth Australian Idol.
Carr goes in as the favourite, while larrikin Dickens is the underdog.
It's the first time two males have gone head to head since the first series with Guy Sebastian and Shannon Noll.
Both say they're not nervous ahead of Sunday's grand finale at the Sydney Opera House and they sincerely say they will be happy for each other if they win.
They've become so close during their time on the Network Ten program that Carr even says he'd like to write songs for Dickens - who says "I'd love to sing them mate''.
"We're just really excited, more than anything we're just looking forward to standing on the Opera House steps,'' Carr told AAP.
"At the start of this we joked, 'Imagine if it was us standing at the Opera House and it's all come true'.''
Dickens agrees: "The thing is it's not a competition against each other, that's how it feels. It's not like we're boxers.
"Wes is so bloody good, if I was sitting at home I would've been voting for him and I'm up here with him.''
Despite some similarities as in liking rock music, and being in their mid-20s, the two are poles apart.
Carr, who has spent years playing in city pubs, is an experienced musician and has "something like 500 songs'' ready to go.
Dickens, from Young in NSW, has no writing experience but is willing to give it everything he's got and says his letter writing skills show he's creative.
"I've written a lot of letters and people have always said you write the best letters, you write piss funny letters,'' Dickens said.
"So I am creative.''
This year the prize includes a record deal with Sony and a new car - and for the first time $200,000 to go towards developing their craft.
This year's grand finale will be held entirely outside at the Sydney Opera House for the first time, with 6,000 fans expected to pack the area.
Network Ten is doing without a red carpet and instead opting for two stages.
The final 12 will return to perform, while the top four will also sing solo efforts. 2006 runner-up Jessica Mauboy will also thrill fans as will the dancers from So You Think You Can Dance Australia.
