Olympic progressed to the decider at the expense of the White Eagles after the latter allowed a ‘Cup tied’ player to participate in their 1-0 victory.

It gives the Wollongong club the opportunity to win their first major trophy since 1994. 

The match will be the Olympic’s first appearance in a decider of any kind for quite some time, but Birkin insists he has enough experienced heads on deck to be ready for the occasion. 

“We have got a lot of experience from players who played at the Wolves or in other competitions so they know what to expect in big games,” the coach said.

“I am more excited about playing a team who we have played a few times this year and been successful against in close tussles. I am expecting a fairly ding-dong game.”

Olympic will have to beat a United outfit who have had a mortgage on the Bert Bampton Cup in recent years. United have won the title three times in the past four years and also have a grand final win to their credit in 2015.

Their latest Cup win came in a 2-0 victory over Dapto-Dandaloo Fury (now Kemblawarra) last season.

On Sunday they’ll need to beat an Olympic side who had their measure when the two teams met last month.

However, the Cup final is a different kettle of fish and Birkin felt whichever side got into their rhythm first would claim the trophy.

“The team who gets into their structures and what they do best, and who settles early [will win on the day],” he said.

“It is a matter of doing what we have done for us.

“We have gone through a period of time winning a lot of games and even the last two games against good opposition – it took Kemblawarra until the last minute to beat us and Albion Park some circumstances to get them over the line.

“We will just do what we have been doing all year, keep to our structures and we will be right.”

While Olympic’s progression to the final came in controversial fashion, United surged into the with a 5-3 win over Warilla Wanderers. 

United also play in the Youth Cup final where they will meet the Woonona Sharks.