HAVING claimed the 2014 Country Championships Tier 1 title against Newcastle, Illawarra will be looking to extend their strong form against an experienced Canberra side when they lock horns in Saturday's 2015 decider at Mudgee's Glen Willow Sporting Complex.
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Despite the likes of Brett Kearney, Brent Grose, Bronx Goodwin and Australian international Trent Waterhouse currently plying their trade in the local league, Illawarra have resisted using the experience of former NRL first graders.
Instead, coach Wade Forrester has opted to give emerging talents such as Mitch Porter, Jarrod Boyle, Blake Phillips and captain Jarrod Thompson an opportunity to showcase their abilities.
Dismantling the Central Coast Centurions in a comprehensive 34-8 performance at Camden last week, Illawarra will be looking to build upon their lone performance in the Country Championship in Mudgee.
While the Illawarra side has intentionally avoided former NRL players, coach Simon Woolford has sought to utilise the talents of former first grade Raiders to provide Canberra with their first Country Championship.
Featuring the likes of Michael Picker and Marc Herbert in the halves, alongside former Raider Joe Picker in the second row, the big-match expertise offered by the trio played a pivotal role in overcoming Newcastle 21-20 in a nail-biting contest last Saturday.
Having earlier defeated North Coast 20-10 in Forster, Canberra will be hoping additional game time plays a deciding factor in the outcome of the grand final.
After starring with two tries in a barnstorming performance against the Central Coast, Illawarra's Fijian powerhouse Peni Botiki will be out to replicate his performance on Saturday.
Currently lining up in second row under the tutelage of former representative prop Jason Ryles at Western Suburbs, Botiki will need to be at his hard-running best against the resilient Canberra pack if Illawarra are to run out victors.
For Canberra the key will no doubt be Herbert.
While his career in the NRL was short-lived, the experience provided by playing alongside former New South Wales and Australian playmaker Terry Campese in the halves proved vital in him helping Canberra into the decider.
With the Newcastle Rebels mounting a second half fight-back, Herbert's 61st minute drop goal proved the difference, despite the best efforts of Newcastle who finished the stronger.
Boasting an intimidating side dominated by players from the 2014 Canberra grand finalists Goulburn and Queanbeyan, it will be up to Herbert to star if the Country Championship trophy is on its way to the ACT.
