Down 25-6 with less than 10 minutes to go, the Sharks stormed home to clinch a memorable 26-25 win over Nambucca Heads in the Group 2 decider.

Twenty years on, the Sharks modern-day brigade will hope to celebrate the occasion with a win over local rivals Wauchope at Regional Stadium.

The Sharks knocked the Blues out of the competition in the second week of the finals in 1998 on the way to claiming the title from fifth position.

They will have more than 40 “old boys” watching on from the stands on Saturday including ‘98 team members Anthony Hill, Kristian Murphy and Ken Spink.

Hill and Murphy said they remembered the crowd starting to leave with 15 minutes remaining before they started their comeback.

“With about nine minutes to go that’s when we started scoring the tries,” Murphy said.

“As soon as Vince Lockwood put the ball down in the corner, the siren went and the crowd stormed the field.”

Murphy said Port Macquarie and Wauchope was the original Battle of the Hastings and there would be plenty at stake this weekend.

“Back in the day I grew up playing for the Sharks and the Breakers weren’t in the competition so in footy the town closest to you is your biggest rival,” he said.

“Now the Sharks have the rivalry with the Breakers, but Wauchope couldn’t care less.

“They’re coming to beat Port Macquarie Sharks because that’s been the case for 60 or 70 years.”

Current captain Jake Hawkins said it was going to be a meaningful day for the club.

“Having an occasion for a football game makes it a bit more exciting,” he said.

“Having the old boys in the crowd watching us play … you can’t really hide because you’ll get found out if you’re not having a go.”

Teenage centre Oliver Nosworthy will make his first grade debut in a special day for his family.

Father Gary played an integral role in the Sharks title win at Nambucca Heads.

“Oli has been killing it in the 18s and he’s got a great opportunity this weekend,” Hawkins said.

“A few family members of his are old boys as well, so that’s a massive occasion for their family.”

Nosworthy will slot into the defensive line second in, alongside his captain.

“He’ll be straight onto my edge so I’ll try and look after him as much as I can,” Hawkins said.

“I won’t have to do much because he’s proven he’s tough enough and the ball is in his hands now so I’ll give him a chance and see how he goes.”

Injuries, suspensions and rep duties will test the club’s depth with at least four regulars set to miss the clash.

Tom Maguire, Joey Cudmore, Mitch Wilbow and Mitch Smith are unavailable, but the Sharks captain isn’t looking for excuses.

“We’re not the only team in the comp that can use injuries as an excuse,” he said.

“You’re a footy club, you’re not one team and you’ve got players in other grades that you can play.

“We do have blokes out of position and a few new blokes in the side, but that doesn’t take away from us being able to win the game.”

Kick-off is at 3pm on Saturday.