Entering the final round of the regular Harrigan Premiership season, Dapto hopes to snag two points off the newly-crowned minor premiers De La Salle to finish their season on a high after failing to qualify for the finals.
Following a 32-point loss to the finals-bound Western Suburbs Devils last weekend, Canaries coach Blake Wallace wants his side to stick to their game and maintain consistency throughout the entire 80 minutes against De La Salle on Saturday.
“Just want to see an 80-minute performance and go out there making sure we compete, play our footy.
“Over the last few weeks, we haven’t really stuck to the game plan, and it’s shown on the scoreboard.
“Would just like to see the boys go out and execute that and work hard for one another,” Wallace said.
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In reflecting on the season, Wallace pinpoints a few areas he hopes his side can take away and assess over the off-season to return as premiership contenders in their next campaign.
“Being inconsistent is the main thing.
“Going forward, we need to be able to bridge the gap between our worst and best performances.
“I think it showed this year that we can beat the top teams, but we can also show that we can be the worst team.”
Those victories, proving to Wallace what might have been, include a 28-18 win over De La Salle, 28-16 against the Devils, and holding the defending premiers to a gripping 16-all draw. But while their season may be over, two players are still in the running for individual awards.
Canaries winger Jack Piccirilli is the competition’s leading try scorer with 11 tries, one ahead of Thirroul’s Jye Patterson.
At the same time, Troy Pieper (pictured) is equal second on the overall point scorers list with Eli Levido (De La Salle) on 88, just six points behind Wests’ Dane Chisolm.
Dapto Canaries take on De La Salle at Captain Cook Oval this Saturday at 3pm.
Words: Joshua Houldin