Corrimal and Collegians will meet in a highly anticipated 2026 Harrigan Cup Grand Final, presented by i98, at WIN Stadium this Saturday, with both clubs carrying compelling storylines into the season decider.
Cougars chasing history
The Cougars are preparing for their first top-grade Grand Final appearance since 1989 and chasing a premiership 52 years in the making.
Victory would deliver Corrimal its first title since 1974 and complete a remarkable campaign for the minor premiers.
Collegians determined to go one better
Collegians return to the big stage determined to make amends for their heartbreaking 14–8 extra-time loss to Wests in last year’s Grand Final.
The Collie Dogs earned another opportunity with an impressive 28–8 preliminary-final victory over Thirroul.
Recent history suggests there will be little between Saturday’s opponents. Their most recent meeting produced an 18–16 thriller at Ziems Park, where a late Blair Grant penalty goal secured victory for Collegians and ended Corrimal’s seven-match winning streak.
Experience and strike power
Collegians will again look to experienced captain and four-time premiership winner Blake Phillips, along with brothers Blake and Joshua Dowell, to lay the platform through the middle.
Grant will call the shots at halfback, while elusive centre James Lee and ever-reliable fullback Nic Hall provide quality and composure in the backline.
Wingers Cooper Barnes and Tex Anderson are also among the competition’s most dangerous finishers. Barnes crossed for 12 tries in 15 regular-season appearances, while Anderson scored eight tries from just seven games.
Corrimal’s formidable forward pack
Corrimal boasts significant firepower of its own.
Former NRL forward Ben Murdoch-Masila anchors a formidable pack alongside Reuben Porter, giving the Cougars size, experience and aggression through the middle.
Raymond Faitala-Mariner has also been selected but remains under an injury cloud after leaving the field during Corrimal’s major semi-final victory over Thirroul, placing his Grand Final availability in doubt.
Leading try-scorer Declan Purcell will provide additional spark from dummy half, while Cody Fuzz, Brad Morkus and captain Tom Carr offer plenty of attacking flair.
Electric fullback Lorima Saukuru looms as Corrimal’s key gamebreaker as the Cougars attempt to complete their historic campaign.
Ready to strike out wide are Joe Duggan and Saifiti Saifiti, who have each crossed for seven tries this season. Saifiti also kicked 42 goals to finish as the competition’s second-highest pointscorer with 112 points, behind Dapto’s Troy Pieper on 128.
A decider rich in storylines
With Collegians driven by the pain of last year’s defeat and Corrimal seeking to end one of the competition’s longest premiership droughts, the stage is set for a memorable Harrigan Cup decider at WIN Stadium.
Head-to-head
- Round 4: Collegians 34 defeated Corrimal 18
- Round 9: Corrimal 40 defeated Collegians 10
- Round 14: Collegians 18 defeated Corrimal 16
Lower-grade premierships on the line
Defending premiers Wests will chase a historic third consecutive title when they face Corrimal in Saturday’s Harrigan Plate Grand Final.
Northern Suburbs will meet the Avondale Greyhounds in the Harrigan Shield decider.
The Greyhounds are appearing in their fourth consecutive Grand Final and will also be chasing a three-peat, while the Bulldogs are hoping to secure their first premiership since 2022.
Match Day Schedule
- 1145am – Norths v Avondale greyhounds
- 1:15pm – Corrimal v Wests
- 3pm – Corrimal v Collegians
Gates Open at 11AM