The Harrigan Cup Finals Series, presented by i98, begins with two compelling match-ups as defending premiers Wests fight to keep their title defence alive against Dapto, while Thirroul and Collegians battle for a place in the major semi-final.
Minor premiers Corrimal have earned the opening weekend off after defeating Sutherland-Loftus in the final game of the regular season to secure their first minor premiership since 1989.
Centre Brad Morkos said the Cougars would use the valuable break to recover before returning for the major semi-final.
“We have a few older boys in the team, so there are definitely a few sore bodies,” Morkos said.
“The extra week of recovery is such an advantage. We don’t have the pressure of a must-win game this weekend, so we can freshen up, sort out everything we need to and come back firing.”
While proud of the club’s long-awaited minor premiership, Morkos said Corrimal’s ultimate goal remained unchanged.
“As a supporter of the club, it’s a great feeling because it doesn’t come around too often,” he said.
“But as a player, the minor premiership is good, but it’s not what we’re playing for. The whole idea is to win the grand final, that’s what you work so hard for throughout the pre-season.
“The whole community, the players, coaching staff and board are behind us. We’re not going to stop at being minor premiers.”
Qualifying Final: Thirroul v Collegians
Thirroul must quickly move on from the disappointment of missing the minor premiership when they face Collegians for a place in the major semi-final against Corrimal.
The Butchers had been in the box seat to claim top spot before their final-round loss to Wests opened the door for the Cougars to end their 37-year wait for the minor premiership.
Thirroul holds the advantage in its head-to-head record against Collegians this season, winning their opening two encounters 32–16 and 24–18 before the sides produced an enthralling 32-all draw in Round 13.
That most recent result suggests the gap between the teams has narrowed considerably, with Collegians arriving on the back of a confidence-building 30–26 victory over Dapto.
The winner advances to the major semi-final against Corrimal, while the loser will receive a second chance against the winner of the elimination final.
What they said:
“It’s (minor premiership) been a big focus over the last few weeks. This time last year we were trying to figure out ways to not compete for the wooden spoon whereas this year we were trying to find a way to compete for the minor premiership, so I’d say it’s definitely been something that’s been a bit focal point for us in.
“But the minor premiership isn’t what we’re playing for, it’s where we want to get to. To be in the grand final. To be on top at the end of the comp. So while it is something that we did want to tick off and get for the club, it’s not what we’re going to hang our hat on. At the end of the day. You play for the grand final” Tarje Whitford, Thirroul
“Last year was disappointing but that’s in the past now and this year’s a new year so our goal is still the same. We’re coming back and we want to go one better this year.
“Thirroul’s been very strong, probably one of the top teams the whole season. Probably unlucky to not be the minor premiers in the end, but we know what we’ve got to do, we almost had them last time and it’s one that we’re wanting to tick off our bucket list before the end of the year,” Dreau Clarke, Collegians.
Elimination Final: Wests v Dapto
Defending premiers Wests enter their sudden-death showdown against Dapto with renewed belief after upsetting Thirroul in the final round.
The Devils also hold a clean sweep over the Canaries this season, although their first two meetings were anything but comfortable.
Wests prevailed 18–14 and 19–16 in those encounters before producing a more decisive 32–20 victory in Round 12.
Dapto, however, showed enough in last weekend’s narrow 30–26 loss to Collegians to suggest they are capable of turning the tables when it matters most.
With the defending premiers determined to keep their title defence alive and the Canaries desperate to break their hoodoo against Wests, the stage is set for a high-stakes elimination battle.
What they said:
“We’re definitely confident. I’m not sure that we’re at the “We’ve been there, we’ve done that” sort of area, but we’re confident in the team we’ve got. We do know what it takes, but just because we’ve been there, done that, doesn’t mean we get the pass to be there, do that again. We’ve got to be confident, we’ve got to win the game.
“There’s not much more pressure to say that every week from here is do-or-die. You want to win every week. If you win, you’re always going to be feeling better about yourself. If you lose, then it’s no good, so elimination finals should be good,” Clay Baldock, Wests
“It’s like a new season so we’re looking forward to the challenge. Obviously, not ideal being in elimination final straight up. We’ve spoke about it, said it’s a new season.
“We would have loved to finish in that top three but it is what it is and everyone can beat everyone in this comp as the results have shown, so yeah, we’re looking forward to the challenge.
“The quality from first to fifth is so close, the result will be determined by who’s going to bring it on that day. Obviously, Wests, back-to-back premiers, we’re looking forward to the challenge and looking forward to shaking it up,” Braxton Wallace, Dapto
Match Centre