It's hard to remember a final that's had a longer build up, but Coniston and Wollongong United will finally play off the Frat Cup trophy on Sunday afternoon.
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After strong pre-season campaigns, the two Illawarra Premier League sides booked their place in the decider back in mid-March.However, the final was postponed for four months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
There were concerns over whether Sunday's final could be played when the NSW government announced stricter COVID-19 restrictions for community sport on Friday. However, Football South Coast has confirmed the game is set to go ahead.
The clash at Memorial Park will be a curtain raiser to the shortened IP season kicking off next weekend. In a strange quirk, Coniston and United were also drawn by Football South Coast to meet in a Bert Bampton Cup quarter-final on July 28.
But, for now, both coaches are focused on Sunday's final. United will enter the game as favourites after winning three of the past four Fraternity Cup premierships.
Coniston coach Jeff Allport knows it will be a tough task, but his side is ready to put up a strong fight.
"They see themselves as a top five side and from what I've seen, they knock the ball around really well," he said.
"We're going to have to be really careful defensively, but I think we've got some stuff going the other way. We've got some pace up top that can cause them problems.
"I think it's going to be a great game."
Coniston warmed up for the clash with a 2-1 win over reigning IPL champions Corrimal in the Bert Bampton Cup last weekend. Allport said he saw plenty of positive signs during the contest.
"The squad is in a really good space, we had a good win against Corrimal which has set us up nicely for this. We're all keen and confident, and can't' wait to rip in and have a go," Allport said.
"There's a nice intensity about our training now. We're all back to normal training, it was difficult the first couple of weeks because we had to be in groups of 10. They've really blown the cobwebs out now."
United head into Sunday's final on the back of a 3-1 win over Thirroul Thunder in the Bert Bampton Cup.
Coach Oli Vrtkovski said it had been good for his players to get a few games under their belts in recent weeks.
"It lets you know, from a coaching perspective, of where your team is at again," he said. "It's been difficult [in 2020] because it's like the pace car has come out and reset everyone. The fitness levels drop and training wheels come back on. It's really about how quickly you can take those training wheels off and grease everything up, and get ready for a grand final."
Vrtkovski said Sunday's clash would be a "good test for us" and highlight "where both teams are at" ahead of the Premier League season.
"I expect a lot of grit out of 'Conno'," the coach said.
"If we can counter that and move the ball around quickly enough, and get in behind the lines and turn them around quickly, we'll be pretty dangerous and keep on top of them that way."
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Joshua Bartlett
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
