It was last year and the Bulli coach was just coming to terms with another heartbreaking grand final defeat.

While it was his first in a decider as a head coach, the penalty shoot-out loss to Port Kembla ensured the club’s 32-year run of outs would continue. 

Twelve months on, memories of the defeat still linger. But Bailey hopes to rectify the result on the biggest day of the season. 

"We are in the same position as last year and it is massive for the club, but from a playing group perspective it has to be different," Bailey said as his men prepare to meet Wollongong United.

"We didn't do the job last year and we have learnt from that. We need to take those lessons and implement it into our approach and planning for this year.

"We believe we have done that, but the proof will be in the result on Sunday."

Bulli’s long drought – which includes eight grand final defeats – has unsurprisingly brought with it some doubt about the club’s ability to handle the big stage.

It’s a notion Bailey disputes. 

"We have played in grand finals, cup finals and two games that basically guaranteed us the League Championship so when you talk about big games and high stakes, they have experienced that over the past two seasons,” he said. "The majority of those games they have come out on top. We are looking to harness the output of those games and really bring that Sunday."

While the pressure will be on Bulli to end their lean title run, it’s also not something their rivals on Sunday have been immune to this campaign. United came into the season as the favourites to win the League Championship, but failed to live up to expectations.

Three straight elimination finals has helped the club put that disappointment behind them. Now, coach Jeff Allport wants them to hit their peak on Sunday afternoon. 

"This is their opportunity to show what they can do and I am really confident that they will take it,” he said.

"We had ups and downs but they have always remained really tight. I just made it pretty clear to them that I really want them to enjoy the week and the experience. The fact that they have made it is a credit to them.”