Six premierships will be decided when the Coal Australia Blues Tag and Open Ladies League Tag Grand Finals take centre stage at Collegians Sporting Complex this Sunday. The action begins at 9.30am, with each decider bringing together teams that have navigated contrasting paths through the finals series to earn their shot at premiership glory.
Under 14s Division 2: Collegians Red and Corrimal Red meet again
Collegians Red and Corrimal Red will open Grand Final Day with a rematch of their major semi-final.
Collegians Red booked the first place in the decider with a convincing 20–4 victory over Corrimal Red at Ziems Park.
That result sent Corrimal into a preliminary final against Woonona, which had kept its campaign alive by defeating Collegians Black 18–10 in the minor semi-final.
Corrimal survived a much tighter encounter the following week, edging Woonona 20–18 to secure another opportunity against Collegians Red with the premiership on the line.
Grand Final: Collegians Red v Corrimal Red
Kick-off: 9.30am
Under 14s Division 1: Corrimal awaits in-form Thirroul
Corrimal advanced directly to the Grand Final after overcoming Collegians 16–10 in a closely contested major semi-final at Collegians Sporting Complex.
Thirroul has taken the longer route, winning two elimination matches to earn its place in the decider.
The Butchers began their finals campaign with a narrow 16–14 victory over Helensburgh before defeating Collegians 16–10 in the preliminary final at Jim Allen Oval.
After watching Thirroul build momentum through the finals, Corrimal will return to the venue of its major semi-final triumph looking to complete its premiership campaign.
Grand Final: Corrimal v Thirroul
Kick-off: 10.40am
Under 16s Division 2: Thirroul earns another shot at Woonona
Woonona enters the Under 16s Division 2 Grand Final following an impressive 24–6 major semi-final victory over Thirroul Blue.
The win secured the Bushrangers a direct passage into the decider, while Thirroul was forced to take on Corrimal Green in the preliminary final.
Corrimal Green had advanced after defeating Thirroul White 24–18 in the minor semi-final, but Thirroul Blue responded strongly to its earlier loss and recorded a 22–14 preliminary-final victory.
Thirroul will now have an opportunity to reverse the major semi-final result, while Woonona will be aiming to reproduce the form that carried it directly into the Grand Final.
Grand Final: Woonona v Thirroul Blue
Kick-off: 11.50am
Under 16s Division 1: Wests and Collegians ready for decider
Wests advanced directly to the Under 16s Division 1 Grand Final following Thirroul’s major semi-final forfeit.
Collegians earned its place in the finals with a 16–10 minor semi-final victory over Dapto at Rex Jackson Oval.
A further forfeit in the preliminary-final stage subsequently sent Collegians through to the premiership decider, setting up a Grand Final clash with the Devils.
With limited finals football behind both teams, Sunday’s contest shapes as an intriguing battle as Wests and Collegians look to finish their campaigns with the title.
Grand Final: Wests v Collegians
Kick-off: 1.00pm
Open Ladies Division 2: Corrimal and Woonona renew rivalry
Corrimal and Woonona will meet for the second time during the finals series when they contest the Open Ladies Division 2 premiership.
Corrimal claimed the upper hand in their major semi-final, recording a hard-fought 10–4 victory to advance directly to the Grand Final.
Woonona was given another opportunity against Norths, which had defeated Windang 14–0 in the minor semi-final.
The Bushrangers made the most of their second chance, overcoming Norths 18–4 in the preliminary final to secure a rematch with Corrimal.
With only six points separating the teams in their first finals meeting, another close contest could be on the cards.
Grand Final: Corrimal v Woonona
Kick-off: 2.10pm
Open Ladies Division 1: Collegians and Avondale reunited
Collegians will face Avondale for the second time in three weeks after both teams earned their places in the Open Ladies Division 1 Grand Final.
Collegians advanced directly to the decider with an emphatic 38–0 major semi-final victory over the Greyhounds at Collegians Sporting Complex.
Avondale was forced into a preliminary final against Thirroul, which had eliminated Figtree with a narrow 20–16 minor semi-final win.
The Greyhounds responded with a determined defensive performance, keeping Thirroul scoreless in a 10–0 victory. Georgia Galvin scored both tries to send Avondale into the Grand Final.
Collegians will enter the decider with confidence after its major semi-final performance, but Avondale arrives battle-hardened and with an opportunity to turn the tables on the competition’s biggest stage.
Grand Final: Collegians v Avondale Greyhounds
Kick-off: 3.20pm
Words: Harrison Mellare
Photo credit: Denis Ivaneza