The man known as "The Fox" understands what the players involved in the Illawarra Carlton League grand finals have been feeling after the postponement of the 2010 match.

McKellar has played in one NSWRL (now NRL) grand final for Newtown, along with two Illawarra premiership deciders with Dapto and one for Goulburn in the then Group Eight competition.

He is also the long-serving Illawarra Division chairman and last Sunday morning had to make the toughest call possible as a rugby league administrator.

For safety reasons, the Illawarra management committee, WIN Entertainment Centre management and the State Emergency Services, had to defer grand final day from last Sunday to next Sunday.

Now the players who were involved in the four grand finals in first and second grade, VB Cup and under 18 last Sunday have to pick themselves up again for their respective premiership deciders.

"It's very hard on the players," McKellar said yesterday. "They work hard all week to get their preparation right for the grand final. Now they've got to go through it all again.

"I feel sorry for them because the week starts early with training and they've got to face the media and the television and get prepared for Sunday."

Players, referees, officials and supporters who had made arrangements for social and other engagements, including trips away once the football season was over, now have to reorganise them.

"We took that all into account," McKellar said. "If we'd decided to play it on Saturday, we would be up against all the other sports. And financially that would be a ruin to us. So that is why we decided to leave it on Sunday."

McKellar said postponing the grand final day was one of the hardest decisions he and his board of management have had to make.

"Fortunately, the weather forecast is good for Sunday," he said. "So hopefully everyone can get out there and support their side."

The new grand final day schedule is: under 18 at 10.15 am - Shellharbour Gold v Thirroul; VB Cup at 11.50 am - Mt Kembla v Port Kembla; second grade at 1.25 pm - Berkeley v Helensburgh; first grade at 3pm - Wests v Thirroul.