After winning the 2019 premiership, under coach Ben Linde, the Steelers started this season's campaign as the reigning champs - as COVID-19 saw last year's competition cancelled.

And despite finishing the season in sixth, the Steelers knocked off the third-placed Rabbitohs (46-14) and minor premiers Roosters (42-32) in successive weeks to book their spot in the big dance.

"Injuries hurt our young and inexperienced squad in the early part of the season, but as players have started to filter back in, we started to build some momentum," Steelers coach Glenn Buffolin said.

"It also didn't help that we were pitted against some quality sides during the opening few rounds.

"But apart from losing Phoenix [Vetenibua-Finnerty], we're now at full-strength and everything has started to full into place.

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"As such, we were able to win our final five matches of the season and build some confidence heading into the finals.

"Credit to the boys, they stepped it up against both the Rabbitohs and Roosters and put together two extremely impressive performances."

Standing in their way on Saturday from 3pm at Leichhardt Oval is the Canberra Raiders, to who the Steelers lost 36-10 to at Belconnen Oval on February 20.

"We've come a long way since we first played the Raiders in round three," Buffolin said.

"The boys know it'll all come down to defence on Saturday, as we have the ability to easily score points.

"If we aim up defensively, something we've tried to hang our hats on, it'll give us a big chance."

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Although Buffolin and his assistant Dean Callaway (who together guided the Illawarra South Coast Dragons to the Laurie Cup title in 2019) weren't there for the Steelers' premiership two years ago, a number of players were.

Those five are Tyrell Sloan, Junior Amone, Josh Coric, Trent Griffiths and skipper Jackson Shereb - who will all be out to secure the club's fourth ever SG Ball crown (1989, 1996 and 2019) and first-ever back-to-back title.

"As a group, we haven't talked too much about the back-to-back element of it, because it's a largely a different group and a lot has happened since 2019," Buffolin said.

"In saying that, anytime you get the chance to win a premiership, from school-yard footy to a representative level like this is special.

"If we do win, it'll be a reward for the hard work the boys have put in since November.

"We've really pushed them hard and not once have they whinged, rather taking it in their stride - the whole group responded well and has grown as a unit.

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"Victory would also be satisfying for all the unsung heroes at the club, who just go about their work in the background and make things happen.

"It's a great group of boys, who have been doing our talented South Coast region proud all season and I can't wait to see them give their all in the grand final."

In the decider, Buffolin's side will feature Group Seven talents Coric, Ben Lavender (both Albion Park-Oak Flats), Trey Barlow (Stingrays), Cooper Roberts (Gerringong), Riley Wooden (Milton-Ulladulla), Tyrone Roberts (Warilla-Lake South) and Travis Barrett-Hancock (Kiama).