The Lions are undefeated in their return to South Coast AFL after 25 years in the Sydney AFL competition, while the Bulldogs would be unbeaten were it not for having a 19th player on the field in the final quarter of last Saturday’s clash with Northern Districts.

 The Bulldogs had a 59 point lead but had an extra player on the field for eight minutes of the final quarter and with the infringement confirmed they were stripped of their entire score and lost by five points.

  But it was a victory in every sense but the scoreboard in the rematch of last season’s grand final and a warning shot that the Bulldogs are primed for a tilt at a fourth straight premiership.

   ‘‘We played really well and against a good team it was a real encouraging effort,’’ Bulldogs coach Lee Murray said.

  ‘‘Our pressure was right up there where we wanted it to be and except for the result it was what we were looking for.’’

 The Lions are coming off a 105 point thrashing of Shellharbour and in their return to the South Coast comp have also beaten Norths by 44 points and Kiama by 77 points.

 With a number of experienced players who have played in the higher Sydney AFL Premier League and Division 1 comps, the Lions have the confidence of a club comfortably adjusting to a competition a level below what they have been accustomed too.

 But they will be full tested against a Bulldogs team which have been the benchmark in South Coast for several years.

‘‘Every week’s a new experience for us and no doubt the Dogs will come to play,’’ Lions coach Craig Morrison said.

  ‘‘We’re expecting a real test from a good team. Hopefully it’s a dry track and both teams can show what they’ve got.’’ First bounce is 12.30pm.

  In other games, Northern Districts won’t feel like the are coming off a win as they host the win-less Kiama at Hollymount Park.

 The Tigers will want to play a lot better, while Kiama are not the same side which -  along with the Bulldogs -  dominated the premiership for the past five years.

  Bomaderry ended a two game losing streak with a win over Kiama in round six and take on neighbours Nowra in what should be a tight match at Artie Smith Oval.

 Both teams have won two games and will have their sights on a top four spot.

  Shellharbour Suns have the round seven bye.

 In Sydney AFL, the South Coast Thunder (1 win/3 losses) are back at North Dalton Park to face unbeaten Pennant Hills (6-0) who are  the top side in Sydney AFL Division One under 19s.

 The Thunder are improving and played well in a 9.9 (63) to 9.3 (57) loss to St George at home last Saturday. 

First bounce is 4.30pm and in a triple-header at North Dalton Park, the Wollongong Saints host Sydney AFL Womens Division One leaders Sydney University (6.30pm).

South  Coast AFL ladder: Wollongong Lions 8, Wollongong Bulldogs 6,  Northern Districts 6, Nowra 6, Bomaderry 6, Shellharbour 4, Kiama 0.