The reserve grade mens led the competition to a minor premiership, but suffered a shock 3-0 loss to Merimbula in the major semi-final. 

However, the team returned to form in brilliant fashion last week, downing the Bega Devils 5-2 to advance. 

“They put on a blinder against Bega and if they can replicate the way they played it should be a cracker,” Wolumla firsts coach Luke Adams said.

The attacking ability of Wolumla’s two lefties up front in Dale Nixon and James Poso proved too much for Bega to bear, but Merimbula have stepped up in a major way over the past five or six rounds. 

The Grasshoppers are quickly becoming a stunning defensive side and ever-improving in their own attacking raids. 

Particularly given this showdown will be on Merimbula soil, it is the Tigers who will need to take early control of play and force the Grasshoppers into desperate attacking runs. 

In the ladies draw, the Eden Killer Whales will face season-long rivals in the Wolumla Tigresses.

“It’s great that the top two teams of the season have made it through,” Eden co-coach Debbie Heron said on Wednesday, adding that her team was primed and ready for the challenge.

“We’re really looking forward to a tough match against Wolumla.”

The Killer Whales finished as the minor premiers with a near flawless score sheet, the only mark being a 3-3 tie with the Tigresses in round two. 

Their next, and only other encounter in the regular season favoured the Eden roster 3-2. 

However, the Killer Whales won the major semi-final 3-1 and the Eden roster will start as favourites by most accounts with the team extremely fit and well-drilled. 

“Our preparation has been great,” Heron said. 

Meanwhile, the Tigresses are eager to welcome the return of key defenders Tegan Grant and Brianna Rubly.

Captain-coach Kirsty McPaul said the backline was a strength of the Wolumla outfit with Caitlin Johnson and Tayla Wilson a particularly strong connection. 

McPaul said mid Janet King provides exceptional long range reach for free kicks or corner efforts, while Lucy Tabor and left striker Chloe Grant sync up well to connect the dots between the middle and front lines. 

“The girls know they’re up for a hard and fast game against the very passionate Eden girls,” McPaul said. 

A win would hand the Tigresses their first premiership. 

“We are hungry for the result and the girls are chasing the elusive premiership,” McPaul said. 

The grand final will be at Merimbula’s Berrambool Oval with the reserves to open senior matches at 11.10am. 

The Women’s showdown will go ahead at 12.50pm.