Thirroul v Wests, Parrish Park
Defending premiers Thirroul, who secured their first title since 2014 in a fairytale run from fourth spot last year, get their back-to-back campaign underway, hosting Wests in round one of the Harrigan Premiership.
The Butchers report they have most of last year’s grand final team returning, while the Devils have been strengthened by the signing of former St George Illawarra Dragons veterans Tautau Moga and George Jennings.
Thirroul Coach Jarrod Costello has overcome the loss of experienced fullback Wayne Bremner by adding former St George Illawarra forward Tyrell Fuimaono, Kristian Williams (Corrimal), and Toby Huxley (Mounties).
What they said: “There’s chat around that no Thirroul side has gone back-to-back before, so we’re going to be looking at it as part of trying to make history.
“It’s hard to find that motivation after you’ve done it, so it’s something we are really motivated about,” Thirroul Captain Hayden Crosland (pictured).
Wests have recruited Moga and Jennings to replace the experienced Grant Millington and Sosai Feki. Scoring 12 tries in 21 games for the Storm from 2021-2023, Jennings last played in the NRL for the Melbourne Storm in round 16 last season. He was also a member of the Storm feeder team, the Brisbane Tigers, who won the 2023 Queensland Cup Grand Final.
“We’ve got a few recruits, including a couple with NRL experience, which has helped us, especially with a lot of juniors coming through and the success we have in reserve grade.
“We have that club mentality of the next person up; everyone knows his role in the team, and that filters down from first grade to U18s.
“We all train as one club there, and everyone runs the same shape and knows our principles, so if someone from 18s is good enough, they can step straight into first grade and do a job for us, which is what we aim for as a club,” Wests fullback Mitch Porter.
2023 head-to-head: The Devils won two of three rounds in the regular season before the Butchers took the honours in the semi-final on their way to the title (Rd4 Wests 20-16; Rd9 Thirroul 24-16; Rd14 Wests 18-10; S/F Thirroul 18-16).
What’s Next
>> The Butchers host Collies in the much-anticipated grand final replay in round two before facing Dapto at Dapto Showground and De La Salle at Gibson Park. A clash with the Cougars at home in round six (after all teams have a bye in round five) in the ‘Battle of the Beaches’ completes their first five rounds.
>> In round two, Wests are away to De La, followed by three consecutive home games against the Cougars, Dapto, and their old foes, Collies.
Collies v Dapto, Dapto Showground
Collegians are up against Dapto at Dapto Showground in round one. Last year’s grand finalists have some big shoes to fill with the loss of livewire fullback and the league’s MVP, Callum Gromek, who is now with the Sydney Roosters, halfback Zeik Foster, and forwards Jack Cross and Jarrod Thompson.
The returning Alec Reid looks to be Gromek’s likely replacement, while new signing Damon New (Thirlmere) will wear the No. 7 jersey and steer the team around.
What they said: “It was heartbreaking to lose that one (last year’s grand final), but it’s good to see new faces. They’ve brought a lot of new ideas and new playing directions.
“We lost our spine from last year and a lot of experience with the boys who left, like Cal to the Roosters. Zeiky went home. ‘Crossy’ is back on the Goldy, but Hoops (Coach Peter Hooper) has recruited well. We are all ripping into training and gelling really well,” Collegians front rower Josh Dowel (pictured).
Dapto has recruited former Canberra Raiders centre Joey Leilua, who will line up beside ex-NRL stars Aaron Gray and Pita Godinet as they bid to return the Canaries to finals footy after falling short in recent seasons.
“Pre-season’s been good. It’s been tough; it’s been physical, with plenty of running. We’re a lot fitter and in a better space than last year. “Our aim is not just to make the finals but hopefully get to the big dance and win. That’s Wally’s goal, and that’s our goal. We’re confident we can perform much better throughout the year and hopefully get there,” Dapto’s Troy Pieper.
2023 head-to-head: Collies had the better of the Canaries early in the season before Dapto turned the tables on the Dogs in their run of five consecutive wins late in the season (Rd2 Collies 22-14; Rd7 Collies 52-22; Rd12 Dapto 20-14).
What’s Next
>> In round two, Collegians take on the defending premiers, aiming to turn the tables on the Butchers, who ended their own hopes of going back-to-back-to-back with last year’s drama-charged 24-18 win in the big dance. Home games against De La Salle and the Cougars follow before a trip to Parrish Park to take on the Devils after the bye round.
>> Blake Wallace’s men are away to the Cougars, who knocked them over in last season’s penultimate round to record their first win in two seasons. They will then host the Butchers at Dapto Showground. A trip to Parrish Park to take on the Devils will be followed by a home game against De La Salle after a bye.
Corrimal v De La Salle, Ziems Park
Corrimal hosts last year’s minor premiers, De La Salle, in an early test for the local brigade of youngsters led by hooker Viliame Vahe (pictured).
The Cougars have been bolstered by the return of former coach Sean Maloney, who will share the first-grade duties with ex-Newcastle Knights and Blues halfback Jarrod Mullen, who is also expected to pull on the boots.
While mainly relying on a host of local juniors, the club has signed English forward Nathan Mason, who has experience playing in the English Super League.
What they said: “That was one of the best moments of my life (last season’s round 14 win over Dapto in front of the Ziems Park faithful), the best win I’ve ever had, and we’re going to bring that into this year and hopefully carry it on this season.
Things are looking good. We had a big pre-season. This year’s big focus is to be fitter and be a stronger defensive team, which we have been doing in the pre-season; it’s been tough, but we’re keen for the season ahead.” Corrimal Cougars Captain Viliame Mahe.
Minor Premiers De La Salle are returning for their third crack at the Illawarra crown after being bundled out in straight sets in last year’s disappointing finals campaign.
The Shire outfit looks formidable again this year with the experienced spine of Eli Levido, last season’s top points scorer Jack Williams, and the club’s 2023 best and fairest player Jazz Flavell all returning.
Crowd favourite Jackson ‘Jacko’ Stewart will again lead the De La forward pack with his renowned ‘kamikaze’ playing style.
The club also announced the return of local juniors Damon Smith, a former NSW Schoolboy and Cronulla Sharks representative player, and the experienced James Hasson after a decade of playing NRL with Manly, NSW Cup, Super League, and multiple World Cups representing Ireland.
2023 head-to-head: De La Salle won all three games last season, with the Cougars putting up a good fight in the first two games before running out of steam in the season’s final game (Rd5 De La 30-16; Rd 10 26-10; Rd15 54-0).
What’s Next
>> The Cougars return to Ziems Park in round two against the Canaries before three consecutive away games against the Devils, Collies, and Thirroul.
>> In round two, De La hosts the Devils before a tough stretch of three consecutive road trips to Collegians Sporting Complex, Figtree (Collegians), Gibson Park (Thirroul), and Dapto Showground (Dapto).
Round One Fixtures>>Harrigan Premiership Season Draw