Harrigan Premiership | Round 13 Preview

Five teams are still in contention for the top four in the Harrigan Premiership, with the Finals Series just around the corner.

Dapto, currently three points outside the top four, have a must-win game against Corrimal in Round 13 if they are to mount a serious challenge.

The Cougars got the chocolates in Round 2 with a 16-10 win before the Canaries won the second bout of the season 24-16 at Dapto Showground.

That game aside, the remainder of the round could be a prelude to finals footy, with De La Salle hosting Wests in the Shire and the Butchers at home to Collegians.

Trent Anderson’s men have had the wood on the Devils on the two occasions they have met this year.

Collies and Butchers have shared the honours, with home-ground advantage proving the difference in their two encounters.

Lower Grades

Helensburgh is three points outside the top four in the Harrigan Plate competition, needing to string a few wins together, starting with the Canaries this week if they are to be a serious contender come the finals.

The Tigers will be hoping ladder-leaders Wests can do them a favour by beating the Avondale Wombats at home. Berkeley is at home to the Cougars, while Thirroul and Collies have the bye.

The competition is starting to heat up in the Harrigan Shield, with seven of the eight sides still in the running to play finals footy. Just three competition points separate third-placed Windang and seventh-placed Northern Suburbs.

The battle between Figtree (2) and Windang (3) is intriguing. Both are last-start losers, with Figtree downed for the first time this season by the undefeated Greyhounds and the Sharks kept scoreless by Norths in just their second win this year.

The outcome of the Devils vs. Wombats clash may also affect how the top four shapes up with three weeks remaining.

Elsewhere, the Greyhounds should be too strong for the Bulldogs. However, they will be primed after last week’s win over the Sharks. Berkeley will be looking to keep its chances alive against the last-placed Cougars.