THE Nowra-Bomaderry Jets, over the past few seasons, have proved to be the Kiama Knights' bogey team.
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The Jets, from scoring 26 unanswered points to defeat the Knights 30-28 in 2018 to smashing Kiama 26-nil last season, have had the wood on the 2019 premiers.
Jason Gillard, although he wasn't part of any of those contests due to his commitments with St George Illawarra's NSW Cup side, is confident his Bomaderry Sporting Complex-based side can continue to have the wood on the Knights.
"The boys had a blinder against Kiama last year, as it's always a team we match up well against," Gillard, 22, said.
"I personally haven't played against Kiama for a number of years but all the boys are confident we can keep our strong run against them going on Sunday.
"The key for us will be playing the full 80 minutes, especially on the defensive end - which we have been a little slack at recently."
From a personal perspective, 2020 has been a rollercoaster season for Vincentia High School alumnus.
After training with the Dragons' Canterbury Cup side over the summer and playing their opening game against Western Suburbs, he was all set for a big season with the Red V.
However, with COVID-19 forcing the competition to the sidelines, Gillard decided to return to his junior club for the first time since 2016 - a decision made easier due to the success of the South Coast Black Cockatoos in 2019.
"It's great to be back at the club," Gillard, who spent time at Berkeley over the past four seasons, said.
"The competition has changed a lot since I left as an 18-year-old, with it being so strong across the board and you can't take anyone lightly.
"Having the chance to play week in, week out with the guys from the Black Cockatoos, who I played with at Tuggerah last year, is amazing and was a big attraction to me coming back to the club.
"Thirteen people from that squad are at the Jets this season and it's been really special to be able to build on that victory in 2020."
The Jets, who currently sit in third with a 3-1 record, know how important a victory over the fourth-placed Knights will be on Sunday at the Kiama Showground.
"We probably needed that loss against Jamberoo a couple of weeks ago and we came out the blocks really slow but we have learnt from that," Gillard said.
"We produced a much better start against Shellharbour last week, putting points on early, which was a focus of ours.
"Unfortunately we faded late in the match, which is something we will be looking to improve on this week and help solidify our spot in the top three."
The Knights, much like the Jets, have had an up and down 2020 campaign but have started to find their feet lately - thanks to two gutsy wins against Berry-Shoalhaven Heads and Stingrays.
"We are feeling much more confident about how we're travelling after the past couple of weeks," Knights winger Matt Morris said.
"We had a few new additions to the squad, which have taken some time to acclimatise to our style and our other players.
"However, everyone is starting to get on the same page, which is a positive sign."
As confident as they are, Morris said his team are wary of their "bogey side".
"They [the Jets] are a big side, who like to throw the footy around," Morris, who singled out Dylan Farrell and Ryan James as two players his side will need to stop on Sunday, said.
"It's imperative we are switched on in the defensive end and don't let them get a roll-on, because we all know how dangerous they can be - especially on that right edge."
If the premiers are to make it three on the trot, they'll have to do it without forwards Luke Chalker and Josh Toohey, as well as hooker Daniel Martin and centre Tom Harris - who are all out injured.
However, any team with a spine that includes Dylan Morris and Cam Vazzoler is going to be a chance in any game of footy.
"It's great to play outside two players like them, who can create something out of nothing," Morris, who emphasised how important a win on Sunday would be for their top-three chances, said.
"They are both extremely smart footballers, who make everyone else around them better."
Elsewhere on Sunday, Warilla-Lake South host Stingrays in a must-win fixture for both side, while Shellharbour takes on Berry at Ron Costello - with all three matches kicking off at 3pm.
Then on Saturday from 3.30pm, Jamberoo and Gerringong lock horns in a top of the table clash.