Will the drought finally be over?

You would suspect it’s only a matter of time before the club finally cracks it on the biggest day of the season and this looks as good a chance as any.

They’ve been the benchmark again throughout the Illawarra Premier League season and coach Matt Bailey has done a terrific job.

A grand final success would be the crowning jewel for a memorable 2018 campaign.

To do it they are going to have to beat a very competitive Wollongong United outfit, which has his top gear at the right time of year.

United didn’t reach the heights many thought they would this season, but coach Jeff Allport deserves credit for getting his side primed and ready at the business end of the campaign. 

At their best, there is no doubt that United have a squad capable of causing any team major problems.

Potentially losing Matthew McNab will be a major blow, but United will have the advantage of knowing they are the only team to have beaten Bulli this season.

Allport’s men beat Bulli 1-0 in the opening two months of the campaign and also downed them 5-0 in the Fraternity Club Cup final before the season began.

They will also carry the momentum from three consecutive knockout final wins over Port Kembla, Albion Park White Eagles and most recently Wollongong Olympic.

It’s possible Bulli won’t have the same amount of momentum after playing just once in the past three weeks of the lead-up.

In that respect, there are similarities between this match and Bulli’s showdown with Port Kembla last season.

Port also won through three elimination games before beating Bulli in a surprise grand final result. 

With that said, I think Bulli will be more than prepared for the big occasion and motivated to finally break their hoodoo. 

Twenty four hours before, Warilla Wanderers and Coniston will fight it out in what shapes as a blockbuster District League encounter. 

It will be sensational to see the entire grand final weekend back at WIN Stadium as well. 

The pitch at the venue is undoubtedly the best in the region and is a worthy setting for the most important local fixtures on the calendar.