ONE of the Gerringong Lions and Kiama Knights will move just win away from the Group 7 first grade decider following Saturday’s elimination semi-final but for the loser, it’s all over for another season.
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The clash between the rivals at the Kiama Showground is set to be a heated one, if their two previous meetings this season are anything to go by.
On both occasions in 2017, the Lions got the better of the Knights – first on May 7 30-22 at the Kiama Showground before winning 32-22 on August 5 at Michael Cronin Oval.
“There’s been nothing between the two teams in both games this season and I’d be very surprised if is wasn’t the same on Saturday,” Lions coach Michael Cronin said.
“It’s obviously a rivalry that has gotten bigger over the years, largely due to the tightness of the matches and the success of the two sides.”
Gerringong come into the match on the back of a hard-fought win against Warilla-Lake South last Saturday.
“It was a very physical match last week, which has left a couple of our players in doubt,” Cronin said.
“Apart from that, the game acted as a good rebound form the loss at Jamberoo.
“Against the Superoos, we made more mistakes than we had made in the previous five matches but we cleaned that up last week against the Gorillas.
“We will need to maintain that consistency against Kiama this week because they are dangerous.”
Cronin’s men, who are the two-time reigning-premiers, are well accustomed to playing elimination football.
“In 2015, we finished third but lost to Kiama in the first week of the finals, meaning we had to win three straight games just to make the grand final,” he said.
“We are now in the same position, having to win every match to keep our season alive.
“As cliche as it sounds, we are taking it one week at a time though and not worrying about anything other than Kiama.”
The winner of this match will play the loser of the qualifying final between Jamberoo and Shellharbour City.
Elimination semi-finals (Saturday, September 2) at the Kiama Showground
First grade 2.45pm: Gerringong vs Kiama
Reserve grade 1.10pm: Nowra-Bomaderry vs Albion Park-Oak Flats
Under 18s 11.35am: Stingrays vs Albion Park-Oak Flats
Third grade 10am: Outlaws vs Culburra
WLT 8.45am: Kiama vs Shellharbour City Gold
Qualifying semi-finals (Sunday, September 3) at Kevin Walsh Oval
First grade 2.45pm: Shellharbour City vs Jamberoo
Second grade 1.10pm: Gerringong vs Kiama
Under 18s 11.35am: Milton-Ulladulla vs Warilla-Lake South
Third grade 10am: Sussex Inlet vs Mount Warrigal
WLT: 8.45am: Milton-Ulladulla vs Stingrays Green
Courtney Ward
Sports Journalist for South Coast Register and Milton-Ulladulla Times, who loves all things sport and travel. All views are my own.
Sports Journalist for South Coast Register and Milton-Ulladulla Times, who loves all things sport and travel. All views are my own.
