Attention turns to the battle for second place in the final round of the Harrigan Premiership this Saturday after De La Salle wrapped up the minor premiership last week.
Wests (19), Thirroul (18), and Collegians (18) are locked in a three-way tussle for an all-important top-two finish and semi-final hosting rights.
Wests and Collies face off against each other this weekend in the ‘Match of the Round’ at Collegians Sporting Complex, with the Devils holding bragging rights after their 34-10 win earlier in the season. A repeat performance will secure second spot on the ladder.
Collies will leapfrog Wests with a victory but need Corrimal to spring an upset on Thirroul in the ‘Battle of the Beaches.’ Otherwise, they will finish behind the Butchers on points differential.
The Butchers defeated the Cougars 40-8 in their only other encounter this year. Corrimal will wear a special indigenous jersey (pictured below on Corrimal Facebook page), designed by Helena Hollamby, the indigenous players and the club, representing the Cougars community and the connections the club makes with their players and the families in the area.
While De La has an unassailable lead in the minor premiership, they will want to avoid a slip-up against Dapto heading into the finals after the Canaries beat them 28-18 back in Round 6.
Round 16 – Saturday, 17 August
- Collegians v Wests
- Corrimal v Thirroul
- De La Salle v Dapto
The Lower Grades
Wests and Berkeley will fight out the minor premiership in Harrigan Plate, with both sides equal on 26 competition points.
The Devils are away to Collies, who they beat 34-6 earlier in the season, while the Eagles will face Dapto, having beaten them 68-6 in their last encounter.
Third-placed Thirroul meets Helensburgh, who defeated them earlier in the season. However, the Tigers’ finals hopes ended with a loss last weekend.
The Avondale Wombats, who will play finals footy in their first season in the competition, will tune up against Corrimal at Ziems Park. In Round 5, the Wombats scored 50 unanswered points against the Cougars.
Round 16 – Saturday, 17 August
- Collegians v Wests
- Corrimal v Avondale Wombats
- Helensburgh v Thirrroul
- Berkeley v Dapto
Harrigan Shield
In the Harrigan Shield, Avondale Greyhounds can finish the regular season undefeated with a win over seventh-placed Wests, who they only beat by a two-point margin in Round 1.
Figtree, already assured of a top-two finish, and Norths square off in a game that will decide the Bulldog’s final fate. The Dogs will play finals footy if they can pull off an upset win over the Bushrangers and Windang lose to Berkeley. However, a loss will see their season end.
Berkeley can upset the Windang’s finals plans, having taken the game to the wire 26-24 in their earlier meeting.
The Wombats head to Ziems Park for a clash with Corrimal, having beaten the Cougars 46-18 earlier in the season and with the knowledge they are through to the finals at their first attempt.
Round 16 – Saturday, 17 August
- Wests v Greyhounds
- Figtree v Bulldogs
- Corrimal v Wombats
- Berkeley v Windang
Main Picture: Collegians prop Josh Dowel and Wests fullback Mitch Porter