The competition's best defensive team will battle Group Seven's most successful club of the past decade, in a highly-anticipated grand final this Sunday at Centenary Field.
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Big games are usually won on defence but will that be enough for a Shellharbour Sharks side against a Gerringong Lions club looking to win their fifth title since 2013?
With this success though comes expectation, something Gerringong coach Scott Stewart said his charges would have to deal with heading into Sunday's decider.
"Yeah, we've got a few blokes that have been there and as a result these players have sort of had plenty of influence over the last couple of weeks, making sure the young guys don't get too far ahead of themselves," he said.
"Having those blokes in the side is always handy and a lot of these young guys have grown up playing in grand finals, so they're used to it as well. But I don't think it makes our job any easier on Sunday.
"There is a lot of expectation around the town, everywhere you go in the street, people want to talk about it. So it's just a matter of keeping your head on until you get there."
Little has separated the two teams heading into the grand final, with a win each during the regular season before the Lions tasted victory in the finals encounter earlier this month.
Stewart said while past history could not be discounted, he felt the team that handles the big occasion best on the day would come away with the victory.
"Those first two games between the two teams were close but both teams had experienced players out in the last game," he said.
"This history gives you an idea of what they bring to the table. Now we just got to go out there and combat that, I suppose.
"Big games are always won through defence. Our defence has improved the back half of the year, since we've had a little bit more settled side and I think that's what's held us in good stead.
"They've obviously built their whole season on their defence.
"I think it will come down to who can break down the defence best and when those opportunities arise, who can grab them the best."
This view was shared by Sharks coach Abed Atallah, who added his team were excited for the challenge ahead.
"This is why you play the game. The boys are excited and just looking forward to playing in a grand final," he said.
"We've had some tight games against Gerringong and I expect it will be another tough game on Sunday.
"We back our defence, which has been good all year. We're going to have be very good defensively again on Sunday against a very good Gerringong side.
"But we can't just rely on our defence. It will come down to who shows up best on Sunday and takes their opportunities.
"I want my team to enjoy the occasion and leave the field with no regrets."
Stewart will also encourage his players to enjoy the occasion but also to go hard on effort.
"I don't want us to get beaten on effort," he said.
"Our club as a whole has sort of always made sure that even if we go down, it hasn't been through a lack of effort. Someone might be better than us, but we're always prepared to put in for each other and give ourselves the best chance of winning."
The Lions are sure to be heavily supported on Sunday, with all three grades contesting grand finals.
Gerringong Lions will play Warilla-Lake South Gorillas in the under 18s decider from 11.15am on Sunday, with the reserve grade grand final between Gerringong and Kiama Knights kicking-off at 1pm.
The first grade decider between the Lions and Sharks is set to start at 3pm.
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Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
