The Illawarra South Coast Dragons, featuring standout players from the Illawarra and Group 7 competitions, will face the Macarthur Wests Tigers in Round 1 of the Open Men’s Country Championships at Collegians Sporting Complex on Saturday, with a place in the semi-finals on the line.
The stakes are high in this knockout format competition: the winner advances to the semi-finals, while the losers are eliminated.
ISC Dragons Head Coach Jarrod Costello said the side is well prepared and eager to improve on last year’s campaign.
“Our preparation has been good, and I feel as though the group has clicked quite quickly,” Costello said.
The Dragons’ 2025 run was ended in Round 2 following a high-scoring 36–30 defeat to Monaro, in a tournament eventually won by Newcastle.
Costello revealed the squad has dealt with a couple of late injury setbacks over the past week, but is confident the players brought in have stepped up.
“We’ve had a couple of withdrawals through injury in the last week or so, but the guys who have come into the squad have been excellent,” he said.
Mix of youth and experience
The Dragons will field a relatively youthful side compared to last season, but several experienced players will provide important leadership.
“We have quite a young side compared to the group in 2025. However, players like Blake Phillips (pictured), Jy Hitchcox, Braxton Wallace and Tom Angel bring a heap of experience that balances the side well.”
The Dragons opened last season with an emphatic 48–6 victory over the Tigers, but Costello expects a far tougher contest this time around.
“Looking at their team list, they have picked quality and experienced players, so we are expecting a tough challenge,” he said.
“Our group wants to ensure we represent the Illawarra and Group 7 competitions well and go deep into the tournament.”
The Dragons last lifted the Country Championships trophy in 2022, with Newcastle claiming the past three titles.
Saturday’s match kicks off at 5pm following the NSWRL SG Ball Cup fixture between the Illawarra Steelers and the Western Suburbs Magpies.
ISC Dragons: 1. Nic Hall 2. Jy Hitchcox 3. James Lee 4. Turoa Williams 5. Te Umuariki Heremia-Tukere 6. Zach Herring 7. Braxton Wallace 8. Peni Misinale 9. Viliame Mahe 10. Bryce Magnone 11. Tom Angel 12. Kristian Williams 13. Blake Phillips (C ) 14. Trey Barlow 17. Callum Leikvoll 19. Liam Henry 20. Jake Kamire Coach: Jarrod Costello, Assistant Coach: Abed Atallah
Saturday, 7 March, Collegians Sporting Complex
NSWRL Junior Reps
- AJC – ISC Steelers (3rd) v Tigers (1st), 10:30am
LDC – ISC Steelers (2nd) v Tigers (1st), 12:00pm
HMC – Steelers (6th) v Magpies (13th), 1:30pm
SGB – Steelers (15th) v Magpies (12th), 3:00pm
Open Men’s Country Championships
- ISC Dragons v Macarthur Wests Tigers, 5pm
Image: Denis Ivaneza