BarTV Caller Johnny Pett has weighed in on the Harrigan Cup Grand Final this Saturday at WIN Stadium.
“It has been a long year; there’s been a lot of ebbs and flows for the season, but looking back on 2026, it’ll go down as probably one of the most memorable and challenging seasons that we’ve had in the last few years,” Pett said.
“We’ve had the Sutherland Shire team (Sutherland-Loftus Pirates) come down for the first time and at the start of the season they didn’t really put it all together on the field, but they finished off so strongly.
“You talk about the memorable bit of the year so far, and it’s definitely got to be the story of the Corrimal Cougars.”
Grand Final Teams In Focus
Pett is eagerly awaiting what promises to be a thrilling grand final showdown between the Corrimal Cougars and the Collegians, with both teams boasting a host of star players and hungry for the title.
“They’re the two best teams; they’re going to play in the grand final this weekend. You look back on the year, and Corrimal’s been the standout,” Pett explained.
“They were the minor premiers for a reason; they’ve got such a formidable front row and forward pack, and their backline is just blessed with speed.
“You flip over, and you look at the Collies’ side and that side, it did have a bit of a mid-season slump, but they’ve come real good on the tail end of the season. It’s absolutely blessed with Grand Final experience.”
Season Journeys
Both Corrimal and Collegians have battled through a demanding season, showcasing distinct playing styles to earn their place in the decider.
“With Corrimal, they play an aggressive, direct style of rugby league, which is real up the middle and they’re playing to their strengths,” Pett commented.
“They’re playing the likes of Ben Murdoch-Masila, Reuben Porter and then Ray Faitala-Mariner, and then off the back of that, they’ve got points out wide with Brad Morkos.
“Then you look at this Collegians side, and it is an aging roster, but they’ve been there and done it before. The bulk of this crew have played in Illawarra grand finals, and I think that’s going to play into their hands a little bit on Saturday out there at WIN Stadium, just with that grand final experience.”
80-minute man: Corrimal’s Reuben Porter on the charge
Forwards To Decide The Outcome
Pett believes the forward exchanges will be decisive, suggesting that the battle up front is where the grand final could be won or lost.
“It’s going to be a battle, and it’s going to be one in the middle of the field.
“Big Ray Faitala-Mariner, he came off the other week against Thirroul with an injury, so I’m unsure if he’s going to be on the field this weekend, but then you look at Reuben Porter and big Ben Murdoch-Masila, and they’re going to go toe-to-toe with the two Dowel boys [Blake and Joshua].
“I think the Dowel boys have been the best front row combination in the competition for a few years; they’re just both fantastic players.”
Double trouble: Collegians Dowel brothers, Joshua (below left) and Blake (below right) on the charge.
Key Backline And Halves Matchups
Alongside the forwards, Pett said there are good head-to-head matchups in both the backline and the halves.
“I think the match-up in the centres. You’ll see James Lee and Brad Morkos go toe-to-toe (main picture). Brad Morkos is a very, very good defensive centre, but he’s also so physically strong, and then James Lee who’s got absolute speed to burn.
“Blair Grant, he got Collies into that extra time in last year’s Grand Final; he’s been there and done that. He’s a Group 7 product out of Warilla, came up, and now he’s a couple of seasons deep in with Collegians, who’s been fantastic.
“Zach Herring (pictured below), he’s been in that Dragons system the last few years, and he’s got a full year at Collegians under his belt; he’s playing great football.
“Kai Raper and Cody Fuz, they just play off the back of that big forward pack of Corrimal and off the back of that, they’ve been able to do what they’ve done, and that’s steer that back line around the paddock.”
Toe-to-toe: Collegians James Lee and the Cougars Brad Morkos
Wildcards Who Could Make The Difference
Pett also highlighted the potential wildcards that could add impact from both sides.
“The wildcard is going to depend on Corrimal’s bench and who they pick, but Corrimal have got Jasais Ah Kee. He’s a little livewire that comes off the bench,” Pett said.
“He’s not the biggest player out there; he’d be lucky to be five foot two and about 60 kilos, wringing wet, but when he comes on, he can be an absolute menace.
“He’s very, very skilful with the ball and he can create something out of nothing so he’s probably one to watch late in each half because if he comes on, he always seems to produce something.”
“Collies interchange their hookers really well, so between Kane Watling and Ryan Dodson, that’s where it is. They’ve got that ability there to interchange their number nines, and it worked really well for them on the weekend.
“If Kane Watling starts, you’re going to have Dodson come off the bench, and he’ll be a bit destructive around the middle of the field.”
That Try: Watch Corrimal fullback Lorima Saukura light up the major semi final against Thirroul with a piece of individual brilliance.
Match Details
Kick-off for the Harrigan Cup Grand Final is scheduled for 3.00pm at WIN Stadium.
Words: Harrison Mellare
Photo credit: Denis Ivaneza