The Tigers stared down a much improved Shellharbour outfit in the season opener and now face Wollongong Bulldogs at Hollymount Park on Saturday, before a date with red-hot AFL South Coast premiership favourites Figtree.

And like the uncertainty around Covid-19 restrictions, it's difficult to gauge where their league rivals are at so far, especially when the Bulldogs had an opening round bye. But Tigers coach Leigh Forsyth's acknowledges the need to make an impact, given the season only lasts 10 rounds.

"You don't quite know what's going to roll up," he said. "We're expected a similar young, fast, skillful Bulldogs outfit as they always are and will really test us.

"It's probably not a bad thing for us, having already played a game, but we've just got to build on what we produced in the second half against Shellharbour."

The new-look Suns dominated the second quarter to head to half-time with the scores level, before the Tigers responded with 12 second half goals to win 18.8 (116) to 7.11 (53).

Brendan Davis finished with eight majors, while Harrison Green booted five, while emerging talents Brodie Ryan and Jon and Will Seager were also impressive.

"Shellharbour really got on top through the midfield in the second quarter, we just had to try and hang in there," Forsyth said.

"But we knew we were capable of responding and we ran the game out well."

Elsewhere, Wollongong Lions host Bomaderry and Figtree travel to Kiama.

In the women's premier division, Kiama meet reigning premiers Bulldogs at Bonaira Oval, while Northern Districts tackle Wollongong Saints at Hollymount Park and Wollongong Lions clash with Bomaderry.