Since entering the Illawarra competition in 2022, De La Salle has been among the front runners. However, this season, they have struggled to find the same consistency that earned them the minor premiership for the past two consecutive years in the Harrigan Cup.
Without offering up excuses, hooker Jaz Flavell attributes their patchy form to a transient playing group and a heavy injury toll, including long-term injuries to experienced front rower Kurt Dillon and Captain Jack Williams.
“Our squad is similar in experience to previous years, but we’ve had a lot of injuries this year,” Flavell explains.
“It’s also been hard to get a consistent team every week when you’ve got players coming in and out of NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg.
Despite having to call upon 36 players across 10 rounds, the shire-based outfit still sits equal third on the ladder, well within striking distance of competition leaders Collegians and Wests heading into the backend of the season.
“We’ve still got the solid group of core boys there, me, Jacko (Stewart), Jack Williams when he’s not injured, and Tyla Tamou, but I guess that just comes with being a feeder club to Newtown and the Sharks, you’ve always got the boys coming and going.”
That inconsistency was particularly evident over the last two weeks. De La Salle scored 10 tries in a 54-20 victory over Corrimal two weeks ago, but then, just a week later, conceded 36 points to the same outfit without troubling the scoreboard themselves.
“Corrimal turned up to play and we didn’t. I think that’s the truth of it, really,” Flavell said. “They came up the hill ready to play, and we took them lightly, and they made us pay for it. It shows you can’t take anyone in this competition lightly because anyone can beat anyone.”
Match Centre
Flavell said having a head coaching change mid-season was not ideal, but believes they’ve got their man with assistant coach Corey Hughes replacing Trent Anderson, who had to step down due to work commitments.
“Corey is the right man for the job. He was an assistant last year and for half of this year before taking over.”
“He’s been there, done that, played NRL first grade. All the boys respect him and he’s settled in really well.”
Flavell has also found himself as a makeshift captain this season, covering for the injured Williams at times, but doesn’t find the extra responsibility a burden.
“I’m just in there for Jack; he’s been out for six weeks. Nothing changes for me. I still go out there and do my bit; it doesn’t change my game at all.”
After getting ambushed last week by the Cougars, Flavell is cautiously optimistic about taking down Thirroul for the third time this season as they prepare for another run at the title.
“In the last few years, we’ve come in red hot and straight into finals and bang, bang choked, really, so hopefully a bit of pressure has been taken off us coming into the back end of the season and we can come home strong.”