Despite going into the clash with the better form, the Tigers have failed to beat Thunder at the ground in Josh Cale’s five-year reign as coach and Woo senses an epic battle.

“I haven’t had a win down there with Gundagai yet,” he said.

“We are confident but obviously it’s a big task.

“They get a big crowd behind them and are very hard to beat.

“Previous finals down there haven’t been too good for us.

“We’ll need to play really well.”

Gundagai’s optimism grew after it beat Albury at Anzac Park last month and the Tigers would have sensed further vulnerability when the reigning premier went down in a thriller to Southcity the following week.

The consecutive losses cost Albury top spot on the ladder after dominating the competition for most of the season.

Gundagai brushed aside Young at the weekend, with the Tigers having the luxury of resting players late.

Several Thunder players and Cale made the trek to Gundagai to watch the game.

“We were happy to get third spot,” Woo said.

“It was a goal we set at the start of the year.

“Everyone is playing good footy at the moment and we’re looking forward to seeing how we go because I don’t think you could get a tougher game than Albury at Albury.”

Gundagai, which lost to Albury in last year’s grand final, emerged as a genuine threat mid-season when James Smart returned to the Tigers after a stint with Wollongong club Wests.