THE time has come where we will finally answer the season- long question as to who will win the 2012 VB South Coast Group 7 Rugby League competition when Gerringong Lions and Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles clash in next Sunday's grand final at Centenary Field.
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The two teams have dominated the competition - the Lions losing just one game, the major semi-final to the Eagles two weeks ago - while the Park have had their colours lowered just three times, twice by Gerringong and once by Kiama.
The Eagles put their feet up and watched the Lions score a convincing 34-12 win over reigning premiers Warilla-Lake South Gorillas on Sunday and must have been impressed with the clinical way it was done.
Leading 12-0 early and 18-0 at half-time, the Lions repelled a spirited Gorillas team who, while outclassed on the day, certainly never stopped trying. The most impressive thing was that once the Gorillas dropped off the pace in the last 20 minutes or so, they Lions raced in three tries to lead 34-0.
Deservedly, the Gorillas finished with a flurry and two late tries to restore some credibility.
Sunday's grand finals are expected to draw a massive crowd, with Kiama Knights defending their Women's League Tag title in a replay of last year's grand final extra-time thriller against Nowra-Bomaderry Jets; the young gun Albion Park Eagles play Milton-Ulladulla in the Under 18s; while Gerringong will attempt to defend their reserve grade premiership against minor premiers Kiama Knights.
By 2.45pm the crowd should be in a frenzy.
One of my most treasured memories of watching more than 30 years of South Coast Rugby League was the massive sea of red, white and blue on the western hill at Centenary Field on 2010 and I hope to see that again on Sunday.
The Eagles have a superb following and there will be no shortage of maroon and white there too, so a great spectacle seems assured.