In 2024, the Kiama Knights won just three games all season. A year later, they’re on the verge of claiming their first Group 7 Rugby League grand final victory since 2019.

The turnaround has been driven by the return of key players such as fullback Brad Killmore and halfback Cameron Vazzoler, as well as the signing of five-eighth Sam Hooper. 

Their first-grade squad finished the regular season equal first with grand final opponents Shellharbour Sharks.

The Knights have carried that momentum into the finals, defeating Albion Park-Oak Flats 30-28, and then toppling the Sharks 22-16 a week later to earn a valuable week off - something coach Matt O’Brien said was “a great reward”.

“We trained on the weekend and simulated some game-type stuff,” said O’Brien. 

“But I reckon anyone who says a week off is bad is crazy. At this point in the season, any opportunity to freshen up the body is a good thing.”

Kiama have won two of their three clashes against Shellharbour this season, but O’Brien isn’t underestimating their opponents, who are heading into their third consecutive grand final.

“They’ve got class across the park - two strong front-rowers, a classy halfback, powerful centres, and mobile back-rowers,” he said. “It’s a very even match-up.

“You don’t make three grand finals in a row by luck. They’ve been building with a consistent squad for years. It’s going to be a great game.”

As for his own team’s mindset, O’Brien said the focus will be on treating the grand final like any other match - and not getting overwhelmed by the occasion.

“Grand finals usually go down to the wire, so we’ve got to be willing to play for 80 minutes and not get bored or frustrated,” he said.

“We’ve been improving every week. It’s great to have our reserve grade side in the big dance as well - we’re training together Wednesday and Friday, and then it’s game day Sunday. We’re used to that. We’ve been playing on Sundays all year, so it honestly doesn’t feel that different.”

The 2019 Kiama Knights premiership team. Photo: Kiama Knights

The Knights will field six players who were part of their 2019 premiership team - Thistlewaite, Atkins, Vazzoler, Martin, Poole, and Angel - bringing valuable big-game experience to the squad.

One of the most talked-about comeback stories is that of halfback Cameron Vazzoler, who was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome in 2022. 

The rare autoimmune disorder left him in a wheelchair, and he spent 18 months learning to walk again. Now, he’s back leading Kiama toward another title.

First grade halfback Cameron Vazzoler was awarded player of the match when the Knights last won the grand final in 2019. Photo: @SticksPix_

“He’s just got this deep competitiveness - he’s a winner,” said O’Brien. “First and foremost, we’re just happy to see Cameron back playing well. 

“And he and second-rower Tom Angel have formed a deadly combination down the left edge all year. It’s just so good to see him back playing great footy.”

O’Brien also praised the broader club culture for bouncing back from a tough 2024 to now have both grades playing in grand finals.

“The club has set everything up perfectly, and it’s a credit to them,” he said. “But it doesn’t work unless the players buy in. 

“Everyone - from the fullback in first grade to player 20 in reserve grade - has done that. It makes a huge difference when everyone’s supporting each other.”

O’Brien is hopeful a strong crowd of Kiama supporters will be there to cheer both sides on at Centenary Field, Albion Park, on Sunday (28 September), with reserve grade kicking off against the Stingrays of Shellharbour at 1.15pm and first grade against the Shellharbour Sharks at 3pm.

“We’ve had great support all year - even on some terrible, rainy days up at the Showground - and we’ve always had the crowd behind us,” said O’Brien. “We’ve got two teams in the grand finals, so I don’t expect anything different this weekend.”