Long-serving Kiama stalwart Marc Laird is convinced the Knights are capable of upstaging their big-name rivals and winning a premiership.

The Knights have been knocking on the door for the past few years, proving they can compete with the perennial title contenders but failing to advance to a grand final.

Last week they showed why they have to be taken seriously when they snapped the six-game winning streak of reigning premiers Nowra-Bomaderry.

On Saturday, Kiama face one of the competition's toughest challenges - beating Gerringong at Michael Cronin Oval.

Laird has been battling away with the Knights since 2001 and has probably been Group Seven's best player in the past 15 years not to reach a grand final.

But the 34-year-old utility has no doubt his side has the right blend of players to capture a title.

"We absolutely do," Laird said. "We showed it against Nowra, who've been one of the form sides over the last seven or eight weeks. We had them 26-nil down before we let in some late tries.

"Defence is Mutt's [captain-coach Luke Muttdon] big thing. He's real keen on getting it right every week. Most sides that go well during the year have got a good defensive record, and that's where we've been pretty strong during the year. Hopefully for the rest of the year we'll continue to do that."

Kiama's win over the Jets kept them in fourth spot, while Gerringong have been superb virtually all year, prevailing in 12 of 14 games to be second.

The Knights are relishing the clash with their traditional rivals, which will be broadcast live from the ground by Ray Hadley's Continuous Call Team on 2GB.

"Gerringong always seem to get up for us," Laird said.

"Nowra's obviously been playing well but Gerringong is another beast for us. The local derby is always a fiery one and it's always a big occasion. That's the challenge for us this week and we have to make sure we put in a really good performance."

The Knights will have to be at their defensive best against the Lions, who chalked up 70 points last week against Albion Park-Oak Flats to boost their season average to 36.6 per game.

"We have to defend well for the 80 minutes," Laird said. "That first 60 minutes last week, I don't think many teams would've beaten us, so we took some confidence out of that and hopefully it continues."

Also squaring off in a big Saturday blockbuster are Nowra-Bomaderry and competition leaders Shellharbour at Nowra Showground. The Sharks remained unbeaten with last week's road win over Jamberoo.

Saturday's other game is between Port Kembla and Jamberoo at Noel Mulligan Oval.

Warilla can move a step closer to sealing a finals berth when they host Berry on Sunday, while Milton-Ulladulla meet Albion Park-Oak Flats at Mollymook Oval.