This was largely because coach Nathan Aldridge stepped down from his position after being diagnosed with cancer, while a host a prominent players left too.

So the fact that Kevin Jackson, in his first year in charge of the black and golds, has the Tigers one game away from the grand final is a massive achievement.

Standing in their way of reaching their third straight decider are St Georges Basin, after the Tigers lost Saturday's major semi-final to Huskisson-Vincentia.

"It's obviously not the outcome we wanted but the boys put in till the end, even with 10-men on the field and that's a good sign," Jackson said.

"They were disappointed but that's the positive about finishing the regular season in second, we get a second chance."

In their two previous matches this season in the Blackmore Bolden Shield competition, little has separated the two, with Basin edging the Tigers on both occasions - 2-nil on April 3 and 2-1 on June 9.

"One of our main focuses is to be clinical in front of the goal," Jackson said.

"The last two times we played them we didn't capitalise on our opportunities and it really cost us.

"It's going to a fairly physical match, it always is against Basin - we know it's going to come down to who takes their chances and who wants it more."

If the Tigers do prevail at Ison Park, from 3pm, on Saturday, Jackson knows how big of an achievement it would be.

"Making the grand final would mean the world to me," he said.

"Considering the lack of numbers we had at the start of the year, to make it this far is a real credit to the boys.

"It would also mean a lot for the young guys in the team who haven't had a chance in a final."

There will be three men's preliminary finals at Ison Park on Saturday, starting with Manyana and Culburra (third grade) at 11am, followed by Shoalhaven United and Basin (second grade) at 1pm and first grade at 3pm.

In other Shoalhaven District Football Association news, two women's teams booked their spot in their respective grand finals next Tuesday.

In first grade, goals from Charlotte Ryan (two), Maguire Page and Bridget Buckley helped Shoalhaven Heads-Berry Blue down Callala 4-1 - despite a goal from Brumbies' Alicia Boome.

This win sets up a showdown with the undefeated Illaroo Red at Ison Park from 8pm on Tuesday.

While in second grade, Callala needed penalties to edge past Bomaderry, to move into the decider against St Georges Basin Red.

Anna Gardner's 42^nd minute strike for the Brumbies was cancelled out by Tigers' Jo Willesee's 55^th minute effort.

After the pair couldn't be split, the match went to penalties, where Callala held their nerve to win 2-1.

The second grade women's final kicks-off at 6pm on Tuesday at Ison Park.