For the first time in more than a decade, the Bega Roosters and Tathra Sea Eagles will go head-to-head in a grand final derby showdown with the winner securing the ultimate prize.

"This is the perfect scenario for league fans," says Bega coach Scott Barton.

"You can't get a bigger derby than a Tathra v Bega game."

Tathra coach James Scott agrees fans will be treated to a spectacular clash.

"Everyone loves a Bega-Tathra game and it's been a few years since we've had one in first grade," Scott says.

The Eagles have put on an incredible run of results in the back end of the season that included a four-point win over the Roosters in the major semi to take a place in the grand final.

But Scott says there will be little to separate the two clubs again and places an emphasis squarely around the two club's playing histories.

"It's tight because we've got players across both teams who have played together, they know each other really well," he said.

"We've got similar rosters too, with the middle pack laying a platform for the outside backs to work off, but given their playing history in both club or representative footy, there isn't much separating them."

When asked about lessons they've learned from their opposition this weekend, both coaches agree there will be no room for complacency.

"We need to be mindful of any lapses," Barton said. "We had a 20-minute lapse and they piled 20 points on us, we need to make sure we're focused and doing our jobs individually."

"They can be incredibly dangerous - they have a lot of speed and put points on quite quickly."

Meanwhile, Scott said the Roosters were hard to fault at any point across the line and meant it would need a full-squad performance.

"Bega are a quality side and that minor premiership shows their strength this season," Scott said. "They've got a good forward pack and good outside quicks, so we need to be at our best in defence and attack to hopefully get a win over them."

"We have just got to play the one-percenters against a team like Bega."

The two clubs have only met three times this year with less than four points separating them on two of those occasions.

In round one, the Roosters took the biscuits 22-20, but they had been trailing late into the piece before a Tom McMillan blinder with two minutes on the clock sealed the victory.

In round 10 the result favoured the Roosters in a blowout second half that finished 34-10, but it was a game where tensions had boiled over after Tathra trailed just 10-6 at half-time.

The most recent clash was the minor semi-final where Tathra got the result 20-16.

While both clubs expect a cross-the-park performance on Sunday, there is little denying that big-game players will stand out and can turn proceedings on their head.

Barton says captain Ryan Apps is the man for the job.

"He's very inspirational to play with, he'll lead from the front once more," Barton said.

"He has great support from players like Willie McDonald, Dan Hyland and the other forwards, they'll fall in line right behind him."

Barton said he had faith in everyone in his squad and was also keen to see the result for people like Scott Fuller - who has been part of six grand finals and not yet lifted the trophy.

Fuller has been part of the Roosters' premiership success, but missed out a lot of that season with a leg injury.

Bega centre Shannon Shepherdson also rates prop Jarrod Tamatea for a big game.

"Ryan and Pup [Jarrod], they've been to the big dance and they know how to operate," Shepherdson said.

Meanwhile, Scott said the Eagles would be looking to work off their structure, but concedes some names do stand out as big game players.

"Everyone in the team has a job to do, that's the nature of the beast, but you do have to look at what is in front of you and work off that structured stuff," Scott said.

"You've naturally got players like Ryan Apps, they've seen many a final, they know their role and how to win games."

And while he wasn't looking to give away the farm, Scott said he could also "name a handful" of blokes in his own roster who had been to the big dance and knew their way around a grand final.

"Hayden Parbery and Mitch Carter are the same, and the Dowdle boys too."

A further boost to Tathra's morale came just last week where half Callum Bower-Scott was named the first grade best and fairest at a Group 16 level, while big brother Declan was awarded the leading try-scorer for the year out of the centres.

"It was a bit of a boost, they were pretty happy to receive those awards," Scott said. "But I think they'd happily hand them over for a grand final result."

Malcolm Green and Josh Finucane also got the nod from team-mates and their oppositions as dangerous players that could turn the tables on Sunday.

The two teams have plenty of respect for one another and Sunday will mark an unreal contest.

"James has done an incredible job out at Tathra this year, but we've done the pre-season, we've done the hard work and we need the town more than ever to get out and cheer us on to the premiership," Barton said.

Scott adds that Bega has been the team to beat all year and all of Tathra had rallied behind the Sea Eagles.

"Everyone loves these Bega-Tathra clashes, the whole community has really gotten behind us - there is a love of league back in the town and to have a competitive team like this has been unreal," Scott said.

The anticipation for this showdown is palpable and Tathra fullback Kyle Shepherdson says the whole town is buzzing.

With Aussie rules complete for the year he said the namesake Sea Eagles AFL club had been getting behind their league counterpart and expected a huge turnout on Sunday.

Group 16 chairman Allan Wilton agrees that there could be a few towns vacated on Sunday as fans turn out in their droves to cheer on the teams.