The Bega Devils first grade side finished minor premier and will face the Wolumla Tigers, with the Devils proving to be their downfall, winning three of their four clashes during the season. 

In round eight, the Tigers dominated their Bega Visitors, but the Devils have claimed victories in their other three clashes, including round two, round nine and the major semi-final. 

Wolumla coach Luke Adams said the match will likely boil down to the start. 

“It really depends who gets off to the start, I’ve got no doubt about our team’s ability to kick goals, but if we can contain Bega early, that would be key,” Adams said. 

He said Bega is known for getting a roll-on if they claim the opening goal, while the Tigers can benefit from similar momentum. 

Both clubs centre strongly around their blindingly fast middle and wing players. 

Adams says Bega likes to look to the edges more, while Matt Grant out of the Wolumla backline can “cause a bit of havoc” if he gets free through the middle. 

Both teams play a quick-passing on the ground game with good footwork and speed proving critical. 

Tom Adams and Maz O’Reilly will partner up in the middle for the Tigers. 

Bega midfielder Chris Dwyer said Sean Kennedy and Matt Grant would be two players the Devils would watch. 

“Sean is a gun player and doesn’t need much of an opportunity to kick a goal, while Matt Grant is a real class player and dangerous through the middle,” Dwyer said. 

Bega will look to their speed demons in Simon and Ross Jones, while Corey Robinson is also making an impact in the middle for the Devils. 

When pressed about who the Tigers might like to shut down, Adams joked “just their whole side”, before saying that Blake Grant and Chris Dwyer can be a handful on the park. 

While out of the Wolumla camp, strikers Sean Kennedy and Tim Hodgkin sit level on goals this year and both pose a threat to Bega if they get loose. 

“Timmy is back to his best form, I think having Sean up there has helped lift him and they’re both feeding off each other,” Adams said. 

Both teams have been strong defensively as well with Harrison Baker keeping out plenty of shots for the Devils, while Adams credited Ross Oldham as “having saved us plenty of times” this season. 

Adams said it would be a huge day for the Wolumla Tigers with four teams in the draw. Three of those teams will meet their Bega counterparts with the Tigers to also face off with the Devils in the under 16s and the under 12s. 

Games are at Berrambool Oval with the 16s up first at 9.30am and games running through to 2.45pm when first grade kicks off.