Luke Roberts of Warilla tackled by Gerringong's Pat Cronin. Picture: DAVE TEASE
Gerringong's staunch defensive display laid the platform for a comprehensive 34-12 victory over a gallant Warilla in yesterday's final at Nowra Showground.
Thrashed by the Gorillas in last year's grand final, the Lions exacted revenge with an emphatic win to set up a grand final showdown with Albion Park-Oak Flats.
Gerringong led 18-0 at half-time and blew the margin out to an unassailable 34-0 before Warilla scored two late consolation tries in the final five minutes.
"You can't complain when you get into a grand final," Lions coach Mick Cronin said.
"We defended well and we stuck to what we do. You could pick out every player and say he did some good things. That's what you like to see in your side."
Gerringong halfback Rixon Russell crossed for two tries, while winger Matt Fownes, hooker Nathan Ford, second-rower Michael Brown and interchange forward Dave Catterall also scored. Fullback Joel Roberts kicked five goals.
GROUP SEVEN LEAGUE
The Gorillas' points came via tries to centre Tyson Brown and captain-coach Linken Hutchinson, and two Craig Nolan conversions.
After winning all 16 games during the season, Gerringong suffered their first loss for 2012 in the major semifinal against Albion Park-Oak Flats.
Cronin said his side copped their maiden defeat on the chin and was fired up to earn another shot at the Eagles in this weekend's grand final.
"I wasn't disappointed with last week," he said.
"We've rated Albion Park all year and people thought at the start of the year they were the best side by far, so to get beaten by two points in what was a very tough game, I wasn't disappointed.
"Although we were undefeated, it wasn't easy because at times we had injuries and different things, but we always found a way.
"It would've been sad to lose two in a row and go out, but the players showed today they've got a bit of character. They had to bounce back, which they did. They played very well and worked very hard for the full 80 minutes."
The Gorillas had effectively been playing sudden-death games for two months and finally ran out of steam.
"We were a bit tired today. You can only play semi-final football for so long, and we probably played a game or two too many," Hutchinson said.
"I couldn't be prouder of the boys. Halfway through the season we were going pretty bad and to come all this way, it took a lot of guts and took a lot out of us, and I think that showed today."
Hutchinson believes he has almost certainly played his last game.
"That could be it for me," he said.
"It's been about 22 straight years of football without a rest and the legs are a bit tired. I have to tape both knees and both ankles these days to get myself ready for a game. I'll get through the off-season and see if I freshen up, but I think that could be it."