Gerringong Lions take on Shellharbour Sharks in 2023 Group 7 grand final: Full preview and key match-ups
It’s a 2015 Group 7 grand final replay at the Gerringong Lions take on the Shellharbour Sharks. Hear from both coaches and see the key match-ups that will determine this weekend’s victor.
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It will be the Gerringong Lions against the Shellharbour Sharks in the Group 7 grand final this weekend as the two competition heavyweight battle it out for the 2023 premiership.
With a combined 25 first grade premierships between the two clubs, it’s set to be a blockbuster of a grand final after an unpredictable and wildly entertaining season of local footy.
It’s not the first time these sides have met in the grand final in recent history, with this matchup playing out on the big stage as recently as 2015 when NRL star Reuben Garrick scored a match winning try for the Gerringong side.
The Lions have emerged victorious in two of their three meetings with the Sharks so far this season, defeating them most recently as three weeks ago in the qualifying final.
Will this record factor into game plans this weekend? We’ve talked to both sides ahead of the big dance and put together all the information you need to know.
Gerringong Lions
Group 7’s most successful club in history gears up for yet another grand final this weekend, looking to make it premiership number 21.
The Lions were most recently premiers in the 2020 season, but have also since experienced the lows of a grand final loss last season against the Warilla-Lake South Gorillas in 2022.
What makes this crop of Lions so unique is 16 of their 17 first choice players for the weekend are all Gerringong juniors who came through the ranks at the club.
The one exception to this is Nicholas Quinn, who despite not playing juniors at the club has “Gerringong royalty” in his blood, with his father Steve Quinn and grandfather Peter Quinn both having great history with the club.
What the Lions also have is plenty of grand final experience in their ranks, with key playmakers Rixon Russell and Nathan Ford both having won an incredible five premierships with the Lions dating back to 2010.
“With the amount of young blokes we have in our team, you can’t underestimate the value of the experience they bring,” said Gerringong Lions coach Scott Stewart.
“Those young guys are lucky to come into a side that has big senior players like that.
“They’re playing as good footy this year as they ever have as well.”
The name of everyone’s lips in recent weeks has been Lions’ fullback Wesley Pring, who has put the competition on notice since returning from Jersey Flegg.
Fresh off a hat-trick against the Stingrays, Pring is the kind of athlete you’d put your money on in a 100m sprint against anyone else in the league, with the footy skills to match his raw speed.
“He’s a star in the making,” said Shellharbour Sharks coach Abed Atallah.
“He can just pop up anywhere and do the business for them.”
The Lions are at full strength in terms of injuries and confidence is sky-high after six straight wins, but are aware of the threats their Shellharbour foes possess.
“There’ll be a lot of working hard and scrambling in defence,” Stewart said.
“They certainly won’t make it easy, it’ll be about being patient and taking our chances when they come because they won’t give us many.”
Shellharbour Sharks
Entering their first grand final since their 2018 triumph over the Kiama Knights is the Shellharbour Sharks.
A 32-22 win on that day featured a number of current squad members who will be kitting up on the big stage again this weekend: James Ralphs, Jye Brooker, Wayde Aitken, Max Wolfson, Eze Harper and Brad Chapman.
“I remember there being plenty of disruption that day, the Ladies League Tag went 45 minutes over time and then reserve grade went to golden point,” Atallah said.
“With all that considered though, I remember we started so well that day and it really set us up to get the result at the end of the game.”
Entering another grand final this weekend is captain James Ralphs has been one of the form players of the competition this season with a massive 13 tries from the second row.
The Sharks have boasted the best defence in the league in 2023, which contributed greatly to their 11-game winning streak.
A clutch one-point victory against minor premiers and crosstown rivals the Stingrays of Shellharbour punched their grand final ticket, with Abed Atallah keen to face off against the Lions for a chance at a second premiership as head coach.
“I actually really enjoy playing against Gerringong, they’re always clean games between two good teams who leave it all out on the park,” Atallah said.
“It’d be massive for us, you know how it is with regional football, there’s a great following for the club and it’d mean a great deal for the town.
“We’ll be just concentrating on finding ourselves early, not leaving anything out there in the 80 minutes and hopefully getting a result.”
Key match-ups
Fullback – Wesley Pring vs Braxton Wallace
Two genuine X-factors that have the magic touch to inspire their sides.
As already mentioned, Pring brings lightning face pace and a genuine threat about him every time he touches the ball.
Wallace has really grown into one of the competition’s best fullbacks as the year has gone on, finding the try line 13 times and being instrumental in the build-up to plenty more.
Hooker – Nathan Ford vs Brodie Rigg
Captain Ford is well-respected around the league as one of the best hookers Group 7 has ever seen, with his experience invaluable to the young Lions side.
Shellharbour’s Brodie Rigg was “simply outstanding” against the Stingrays according to Atallah, and has been in some unreal form in the second half of the season with his craftiness out of dummy-half.
Second row – Hamish Holland vs James Ralphs
Holland has emerged as one of the competition’s best second rowers at a young age, providing terrific defence and strong ball carries.
As mentioned, Ralphs is deadly out on the right flank with his combination with Emanuel Sultana. Tough as nails, he always leaves his mark on big games.
Centres – Toby Gumley-Quine vs Ryan James
Gumley-Quine has been the standout centre of the competition this year with his speed and brilliant footy IQ.
Ryan James “has always given us trouble” and was the first name coach Stewart picked out when asked to name some opposition threats.
Halves – Rixon Russell vs Isaac Morris
A grand final veteran against a grand final rookie.
This could be the big story of the match, can Russell snag another premiership for his collection, or can young Morris repeat his preliminary final heroics and steer his side to victory?
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