SATURDAY will mark the third time Warilla-Lake South and Jamberoo have locked horns the past two months.
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On both previous occasions, the young Gorillas edged the Superoos at Kevin Walsh Oval.
"The first time we played Warilla, we really didn't turn up and they pantsed us," Jamberoo captain/coach Jono Dallas said.
"The second time was a semi-final and we came ready to play but full credit to them, they were the better side on the day.
"We've identified a couple of areas we need to improve if we are going to beat Warilla, who'll obviously go into the match as favourites.
"It works in our favour to come in as underdogs and not have any pressure on us."
But this time around, the game, between two sides who have each only won once at home all season, will be at Cec Glenholmes Oval.
On top of that, the stakes have never been higher, with victory progressing to the 2020 first grade grand final against Gerringong at Centenary Field on Saturday, October 24.
Just as it hasn't all season, the occasion won't faze the Gorillas - even if their five-game win streak was snapped in Saturday's grand final qualifier.
"We started slowly against the Lions, which has unfortunately been the case the past two weeks," Gorillas five-eighth Jake Brisbane said.
"We were able to build our way back into the game on both occasions but weren't quite able to get over the top of Gerringong.
"Despite the loss, it again showed we are never out of a match - even if we do fall behind.
"We can score points in a hurry and are prepared to never give up.
"We were right in that match until Tyran Wishart slotted that field-goal."
As such, Brisbane is confident his team won't need to make any changes this week, in what is shaping up as the biggest game of their footy careers.
"We've been successful playing the way we have and we aren't about to change it because of one loss," Brisbane, who's side has both Justin Jones and Tyrone Roberts under injury clouds, said.
"Saturday is our biggest game of the year and we can't wait to run out in front of a packed crowd of Warilla fans.
"These type of games are why you play and I can't wait to play in my first preliminary final.
"The job isn't done yet and we still have two more games to win."
The 2020 season marks the 20-year-old's first at Warilla, after stints with Albion Park-Oak Flats and the St George Illawarra Dragons under 20s set-up.
"My first year here has been unreal," Brisbane, who's loved teaming up with Blair Grant in the halves, said.
"When I came here, I only knew a couple of the boys but now I consider this group to be some of my best mates.
"Being such good friends off the field helps breed success on it as you want to keep turning up for one another - the enthusiasm is infectious throughout the young squad.
"It's been a really fun year and none of us wants it to end - we'll be doing everything in our power to keep it going one more week.
"People outside the club thought this opportunity might present itself in coming years but we were always confident in what we had.
"We've been proving people wrong all season and will be doing the same on Saturday."
While only Blair Grant and Jake Kinzett have played a preliminary final in Gorillas colours, Saturday will mark the majority of the Superoos squad fourth straight.
"It's obviously a great achievement for the club to make four straight preliminary finals," Dallas, who will still be without the services of forwards James Gilmore, Brendan Smith, Ben Wade and Jake Fitzgerald this Saturday, said.
"Everyone plays footy to make grand finals and this match is a stepping stone to achieving that.
"It shows the club is in a strong position and can produce success year in, year out.
"On two of the past three occasions, we've been able to progress to the decider and we're all hoping we can make it a third this weekend."
While he appreciates that finals experience could help on the day, Dallas admits the performance of his side against Kiama last round is more encouraging.
"All semi-final clashes are about who turns up to play better on the day," the Maltese international said.
"The way we won that game against Kiama, where we played some of our best footy all season, gave all the boys plenty of confidence and momentum.
"It's up to us to build on that win, limit the Gorillas' quick players time on the ball and win every individual contest across the field we can.
"If we do that, it'll put us in another strong position to play in a grand final - which will be a really special achievement for this group
"But you set yourself up for failure if you think too far ahead like, so we'll just be concentrating on the 80 minutes against Warilla and how we can win that."
This first grade clash, which kicks off at 3pm, will follow the under 18s match (Kiama vs Shellharbour at 11am) and reserve grade fixture (Gerringong vs Milton-Ulladulla at 1pm) on the day.
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