GROUP SEVEN RUGBY LEAGUE
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Warilla coach Peter Hooper can secure a remarkable hat-trick of titles with victory in the Group Seven grand final against Gerringong.
The Gorillas boss has had an inspired season, leading Group Seven to a maiden and drought-breaking NSW Country Tier Two crown in June before headlining Warilla's success in winning the club championship title in 2013.
Sunday's decider gives him the chance to put a cherry on top of a stellar campaign.
"It has been an amazing year already," Hooper said.
"It has been enjoyable to represent Group Seven and to be a part of that sort of system is a privilege and an honour. For me personally it is just being associated with the people from the other clubs that you get more enjoyment from and to be successful, that will stick in the back of our minds for a long time.
"It would be nice to top it off this Sunday."
Warilla beat the Lions 26-16 to book a place at Nowra Showground and got the better of the minor premiers in a round-16 clash.
Though Hooper knows the grand final is a different ball game, he admits the previous results will help his side.
"Football is about confidence and we have beaten them the last two times, which is pleasing," Hooper said.
"I wouldn't want to go into a grand final knowing that we haven't beaten them all year. It is good to have momentum and the confidence, but we also remember when we met them earlier in the year we were defeated down there at Gerringong."
Four months ago, Gerringong inflicted one of Warilla's few defeats as the Gorillas suffered from a mid-season slump.
But Hooper revitalised his stuttering side with a solid formula of tough defence and robust attack that will see them march into the showpiece event on the back of 10 straight wins.
"We based our game on defence at the beginning of this year," Hooper said.
"The better we defend the better we attack, so the better we communicate when we are tackling it seems to rub off when we are attacking down the other end."
Warilla enjoyed their time resting up before Sunday's decider.
"We were fortunate enough to have the week off last week so we are feeling refreshed," Hooper said.
"We had a good session on Tuesday night and are enjoying the week," he said.