Sunday is shaping as a clash of titans in Group 16 rugby league.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Tathra Sea Eagles will host the Merimbula-Pambula Bulldogs in a showdown of the ages to decide who will face the Roosters in the major semi-final.
Tathra has plenty of reason to be confident going into play coming off the back of four consecutive wins - all with remarkable scorelines, which included a 42-8 thumping of the Bulldogs themselves.
In fact, the Sea Eagles haven't tasted defeat since a round 13 loss to the Moruya Sharks almost six weeks ago.
Statistically, Sunday's game should be a stunner with two of the best attacking sides in the draw to meet once more.
In their last loss to Tathra, the Bulldogs were without the competition's leading try scorer in centre Luke Rixon, but the x factor on the edge is back on deck for the visitors.
Rixon shapes as half of a two-pronged attacking option for the Bulldogs with opposite centre Brock Seabrook also among the leading try scorers.
Tathra boasts it's own scoring options with utility forward Declan Bower-Scott second on the try count this year with 13 to his name, while brother Callum Bower-Scott heads up the most points of any player in Group 16.
Bulldogs Rixon and half Corey Schafer also feature in the top five of the tally.
Tathra have the stronger scoring composition on paper, racking up almost 100 more points than the Bulldogs this season while having deadly similar defensive figures just 14 points apart on against.
Group 16 chairman Allan Wilton said the Sea Eagles will be hard to beat as "one of the form teams that have enjoyed a very successful season," after making a return to first grade this year.
Buoyed by the leadership of coach James Scott the team has gelled together incredibly well and has strung together impressive wins against highly fancied opponents.
The Sea Eagles were only two points shy of Bega in round one and the Sea Eagles were the first team to give the Sharks a touch-up that sent Moruya for a spin and inevitably led them missing a finals berth after being early favourites for the year.
League fans can expect some huge clashes through the middle with both teams looking to secure ground through the ruck before the halves send it wide to the attackers on the fringe.
Tathra fullback Kyle Shepherdson will also be on task to contain Rixon, while the Bulldogs' left flank will have to hold out Bower-Scott if either team is to reach ascendancy.
Games run from 10.30am with the Bombala High Heelers to face Eden Tigerettes, then the 18s are 11.45am with Cooma against the Bulldogs.
At 1.15pm the Snowy Rivers Bears meet Eden in reserves and the headline first grade clash at 2.45pm.