THE Gerringong Lions and Warilla-Lake South Gorillas have contested four of the past 10 Group Seven Rugby League first grade deciders.
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The Lions have won three titles, during that span, while the Gorillas snagged one.
This grand final rivalry, which was last played at the Collegians Sporting Complex in 2016, will be renewed on Saturday at Centenary Field when the two powerhouse clubs once again lock horns in a season decider.
"We've always had a rivalry with Warilla and in my first year in first grade (2010) we played them in the grand final at Centenary Field and we were lucky enough to win by one point," Lions skipper Nathan Ford said.
"As a 19-year-old that win was one of my first great memories from footy, especially playing alongside some of the greats to have pulled on a Lions jersey.
"They obviously got the better of us in 2011 but then to bounce back and beat them by two points in 2013 was very special.
"The 2016 grand final was obviously a wet affair but we courageously held on again.
"Rixon [Russell], Tim [Moore] and I were all lucky to be a part of all those wins and that experience is priceless in big games like this.
"We are all expecting this weekend to be just as tough and know anything less than a full 80-minute performance, which we haven't been able to produce all year, won't be good enough."
Unlike the Gorillas who have played each week of the finals, the Michael Cronin Oval-based Lions have only played once in the past month.
"The week off has been great for the boys, especially for a couple of us older blokes who have been carrying injuries," hooker Ford, who has played in six first grade grand finals, said.
"It's given us guys time to freshen up but also the younger guys time to prepare for the massive occasion that is a grand final."
Ford, even though the Lions haven't lost a game in 2020, is adamant his side isn't feeling any pressure ahead of Saturday.
"There's no pressure among the group, other than that will to win and finish off the season," Ford, who's club is chasing their record 20th first grade title, said.
"For a lot of the boys who've been here a while, it's been four years since we were in a grand final and they know they don't come around every day.
"Us and the younger blokes are determined to get the win for the town, who have gone through a really tough year off the field.
"A win on Saturday would be a massive boost for everyone."
Heading into Saturday, Ford, Rixon and Isaac Russell, Tim Moore, Corey Mulhall, Kal Collins and Joel Doosey all remain from that 2016 side.
"To firstly lead the boys out on grand final day will be incredible and then to hold the trophy up after if we win, will be one of the most special moments of my footy career," Ford, who admits the club's training under Michael Cronin has stayed the same for 11 years and hasn't changed because of grand final week, said.
"This is probably one of the youngest Lions grand final sides I've been a part of and being one of the older guys in the squad, it's important to do everything we can right and lead by example because we all want to make the most of this opportunity."
Opposing Warilla skipper Grant, on the flip side, is one of just three players, alongside Jake Kinzett and Chad Lisch, to feature in that 2016 decider.
"Even though I've been there before, nothing quite prepares you for grand final week - it's a lot to take in," Grant, who was just 17 years of age in the 2016 grand final loss, said.
"Obviously at the start of the year, our group had hopes of getting this far but to actually get here and be just days away from the match is amazing."
Grant , unlike Ford, is still chasing that elusive first Group Seven premiership - which he hopes to do for the first time alongside his father Troy and brother Duke on Saturday.
"To hold that trophy up with not only my family but my best friends on Saturday would be indescribable and something I've been working my whole footy career towards," Grant, who's spent the past few seasons in the Dragons' system, said.
"However, I'll concentrate on that after the game if we win it because we know we have an all-mighty battle on our hands.
"Gerringong has been the benchmark all season and we've learnt a lot from our two losses to them and we know if we stick to our game plan, we have the side to beat them."
Despite fielding the youngest side in the competition all season, Grant has been impressed with the group's constant development.
"We obviously weren't at our best two weeks ago but forced ourselves back into the game with our never say die attitude," the Warilla halfback said - who's club is seeking their ninth first grade premiership.
"Then against Jamberoo, we gave up a 16-point lead but dug deep to find that match-winning try.
"Earlier in the season against Gerringong, we gave up a similar lead and went on to lose.
"However, we've all come a long way and now we are not one of those sides that drops our heads, rather sticking together and working it out as a group.
"We've shown we can deal with any adversity that is thrown at us and have taken positives from all our finals wins.
"This match is where we all wanted to be this season and we can't wait to get out there and play."
The first grade match will follow the under 18s fixture between Stingrays and Sharks at 11.30am and reserve grade decider featuring the Jets and Bulldogs at 1.30pm - with the event being a sell-out.
2020 Group Seven grand final at Centenary Field from 4pm Saturday
Gerringong: 1.Matt Winchester, 2. Denver Ford, 3. Kayne Brennan, 4. Hamish Holland, 5. Joel Doosey, 6. Tyran Wishart, 7. Rixon Russell, 8. Alexander Weir, 9. Nathan Ford (c),10. Tim Moore, 11. Jordan Chandler, 12. Jake Taylor, 13. Corey Mulhall, 14. Isaac Russell, 15. Ben Grant, 16. Beau Doosey, 17. Kal Collins, 18. Ewen McCarroll, 19. Judd Collyer and 20. Danny Wedd - with Michael Cronin as coach.
Warilla-Lake South: 1. Justin Jones, 2. Liam Vane Tempest, 3. Kye Deane, 4. Chad Lisch, 5. Darnell Walker, 6. Jake Brisbane, 7. Blair Grant (c), 8. Guy Rosewarn, 9. Sam Hooper, 10. Blake Dowel, 11. Jamie Burns, 12. Duke Grant, 13. Oscar Fitzpatrick, 14. Tyrone Roberts, 15. Connor Ruse-Kent, 16. Curtis Stone, 17. Jake Goody, 18. Jake Kinzett, 19. Craig Nolan and 20 Liam Henry - with Troy Grant and Neil Farmilo as co-coaches.