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Here’s how the South Coast Group 7 coaches and experts see Sunday’s grand final panning out.
Dave Walsh - Shellharbour City Sharks
Tip: Jets
Even though the Jets knocked his side out in the preliminary final last week, Walsh would still like to see them win on Sunday.
“Just seeing the excitement from the players and supporters after they beat us, I really hope they can win,” he said.
“They’ve shown they can come from behind in the last two weeks and I think if they’re thereabouts at the end, they could do it again.
“Warilla are probably the favourites, but anything can happen.
“It’s been a bit of a fairytale for them and I’d really like to see them win it.”
Mick Cronin - Gerringong Lions
Tip: Gorillas
Not wanting to make enemies, Cronin was a little bit reluctant to take sides.
He said the Gorillas would have to be the favourites, but wouldn’t rule out the Jets either.
“They’ve been up there all year, but the Jets just keep hanging in there, so I’d give them a chance as well,” he said.
“We played Warilla in three grand finals in the last five years and they generally don’t make many mistakes in these games.
“Warilla have been the most consistent side all year, so it will be up to Nowra to match it with them.”
Matt Coelho – Jamberoo Superoos
Tip: Jets
Coelho can see two potential scenarios playing out, but would like to see the Jets win.
“Either Warilla will win by 20, or Nowra will get them in a close one,” he said.
“I’m hoping Nowra win. Their speed around the ruck could give the Gorillas forwards a bit of trouble.
“I hate Warilla, so I’d like to see Nowra win. I’ll say by four points.”
Trent Burns - Berry Magpies
Tip: Gorillas
Burns said he wouldn’t mind seeing their local rivals win, but is expecting Warilla to be too strong.
“It’d have to be Warilla, they’ve been the form team all year,” he said.
“The Jets have done a really good job to get there and I think it’s unreal to have a team from the Shoalhaven in it.
“It gives rugby league in the area a boost and adds a bit of interest.
“I think it’s either going to be close or a blowout.
“If the Jets can hang in there and are still in it in the last 20 minutes, they’ll have a shot, but they can’t let Warilla get too far ahead.”
Nathan Benney - Berry Magpies
Tip: Gorillas
At the beginning of the finals series, Benney thought Shellharbour would be the team to beat, but has obviously had to change his tip since then.
He shared a similar view to his assistant Burns, hoping the Jets will win, but expecting the Gorillas to be too strong.
“It’s hard to go past Warilla, given their track record this season and their finals form thus far,” he said.
“Then again, they haven’t had a lot of footy lately and that can work against you, because you lose a bit of match fitness.
“Given whose been in the grand finals in recent years, it’s good to see Nowra in there and it’d be great to see them get the two points.”
Adam Bezzina - Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles
Tip: Gorillas
Bezzina thinks the Jets will give it a good go, but tipped the Gorillas by 10 points.
“Being the minor premiers, I’m going to have to go with Warilla,” he said.
“The Jets seem to be doing quite well, but their last couple have games have gone right down to the wire and I just think Warilla might be too strong up the middle.
“After getting done by one point last year, I think they might still be stinging from that and will be keen to finish off with a premiership.”
Ross Warburton – Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs
Tip: Jets
Warburton is expecting a close game, with less than six points in it, but thinks the Jets can continue their run.
“Nowra all the way,” he said.
“They’re just playing an attractive brand of football at the moment. They’ve had a couple of close encounters, but they’ve got through and their confidence should be up.
“But Warilla won’t give up without a fight.”
Mark Simon- Port Kembla Blacks
Tip: Gorillas
Simon feels the minor premiers will be too strong, but wouldn’t mind the seeing the Jets cause an upset either.
“I think Warilla should win, they’ve been the form team all year,” he said.
“Aaron Henry and Damien Paulissen will be hard to stop, but if Nowra can use their speed to their advantage, anything can happen.
“It’s always good to see the underdog win and it gives sides like us the belief that we can do it too.”
Experts
John O’Dwyer- Group 7 historian
Tip: Gorillas
For sentimental value, O’Dwyer would like to see a Jets victory, but feels the Gorillas will be too strong.
“Warilla have been the form team all year,” he said.
“Aaron Henry will be hard to handle, it probably comes down to whether they can keep him under control.
“But Nowra are so quick, anything could happen.
“I never like having to take sides, as long as it’s a good game, I’ll be happy.”
Adam Straney- Radio 2ST
Tip: Jets
Straney was torn between his head and his heart, but eventually went with the Jets by two points.
“I COULD be in trouble here, gee whizz,” Straney said.
“The heart says Nowra, but the head says Warilla.
“They [Warilla] have been the best side all year, but the Jets are really the only team they have had trouble with.
“I think it’s going to be one of the best grand finals we’ve seen in a long time, even better than last year.
“It should be a real cracker.”
David Hall- Kiama Independent
Tip: Gorillas
"Experience is such a vital thing in big games, particularly when you have experienced grand final day a few times before like the Gorillas,” he said.
"They are still smarting after they were edged out last year by Gerringong and I know they will be primed for a big effort.
"I take my hat off to Ben Wellington and his side, particularly the way they can conjure up wins when they look down and out.
"If the Gorillas are just 10 per cent down on effort the Jets will burn them and I really expect a terrific grand final."
Patrick Fahy - South Coast Register
Tip: Jets
Although he actually played a couple of seasons for the Gorillas as a junior, he is backing the Jets to win.
“What Ben has done with the team has been amazing and I’ve really enjoyed watching them all season,” he said.
“Gerringong was probably the team I had my doubts about whether they could beat, but they managed to do that. I think they’ve got every chance.
“They could’ve easily won when they had that 30-all draw and I don’t see why they can’t do it again.”
Brendan Crabb – Kiama Independent
Tip: Gorillas
"The Gorillas have plenty of players with big game experience and after last year's heartbreaking grand final loss will have extra incentive to lift the premiership trophy in 2014.
"Nowra-Bomaderry's never-say-die attitude will ensure the Gorillas are pushed all the way, and the Jets' speed can hurt any opposition.
"However, Warilla have the size and skill to win, and attacking threats all over the park."