The Illawarra Steelers face the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Round 9 of the HNWP this Sunday at Collegians Sporting Complex, determined to bounce from last week’s 28–10 loss to the Newcastle Knights.
Currently sitting third on the ladder, Head Coach Jamie Sczcerbanik underlined the importance of the final stretch of three consecutive home games in their push for the finals.
“Super crucial,” he said.
“We targeted those first three and last three home games as season-shapers. If we can win at least two of the final three, we’ll be in the semis, but our goal is to win all three and take momentum in with us.”
Sczcerbanik admitted he had expected a fierce contest against the Knights, describing the clash as one that always carries extra intensity.
“It was always going to be a tough clash. Newcastle games are like a grand final replay, there’s no love lost between the two sides,” Sczcerbanik said.
“We shot ourselves in the foot early; the first 25 minutes were very uncharacteristic.
“We managed to pull it back to 10-all at halftime and felt we were back in it, but in the second half we just didn’t execute. On the day, they wanted it more than us. Now it’s back to the drawing board.”
Sczcerbanik emphasised the squad’s role as a key feeder for the NRLW Dragons, highlighting the constant player movement between the two teams.
“Our role is to develop players for NRLW, and if they’re needed at that level, we make sure they’re ready,” he said.
“Some players outside our top squad have stepped up to NRLW and done a great job. Whoever pulls on a Steelers jersey each week, our expectations don’t change, we expect them to compete, and we expect to win.”
The Steelers have won both of their previous matchups against the Rabbitohs.
“They’re a gritty side, very physical through the middle with skilful halves,” Sczcerbanik said.
“We’ll need to be on our toes and focus on our own performance. If we deliver a true Steelers performance, I believe we’ll get the win.”
Words | Angelina Raula