A season of narrow defeats has tested the resilience of a younger and less experienced Thirroul team this year.
But they are still in the fight, with one round of the regular season of the Harrigan Cup remaining, and have set their sights on beating Collegians this weekend to keep their finals hopes alive.
Boosting their confidence is the fact the Butchers are one of only two teams, alongside Western Suburbs, to have defeated the Minor Premiers this year.
“I’m really confident that, with the guys we’ve got in our side this week, we can go to Collies and put in a really good performance,” said Butchers Coach Jarrod Costello.
Thirroul are no strangers to the big stage; they’ve made the last two grand finals, winning in 2023.
This year, though, has been a different story: a string of close losses, injuries across both grades, and an injection of youth from the club’s under-18s program.
Despite that, confidence hasn’t wavered.
“We’ve been in and around it,” Costello said.
“We’ve lost games by two points, four, six, eight, ten, we haven’t had a full side on the field for a while, but we know our best footy is enough to compete with everyone.”
A captain’s perspective
Club stalwart and captain Hayden Crosland (pictured) has worn the blue and white for his entire career, leading the Butchers for the past three seasons.
He’s aware of the challenge ahead and the fine margins that will decide it.
“Confidence is pretty good,” Crosland said.
“We know we’re good enough. In the games we’ve lost, we haven’t been too far off. It’s just about putting it all together.”
He’s seen the Butchers evolve, particularly with the influx of eight players from last year’s under-18s side, one still eligible to play in that age group.
Balancing youthful energy with the know-how of veterans like Crosland, Tarje Whitford, and Brad Deitz has been part of the season’s story.
“Younger guys coming through are mostly juniors as well, so they know what winning feels like,” he said.
“But it takes a lot more to win a first-grade grand final. That’s the difference between being interested and being committed.”
Match Centre
Leadership and loyalty
Costello, in his tenth year as coach, has worked to keep the team’s identity strong during the transition. One constant, he says, has been Crosland’s leadership.
“He’s a great leader,” Costello said.
“He’s been very loyal to the club, a Thirroul junior, and has led our first-grade side for the last decade. With him potentially coming towards the back end of his career, we want to make sure he goes out on a good note.”
Crosland, in turn, takes pride in mentoring the younger Butchers.
“I’ve played with a lot of experienced players, but it’s been great seeing the younger guys come through. Now I’m playing alongside them. It’s been a good journey.”
The final hurdle
Saturday’s clash with Collegians, will be fought on attitude as much as skill.
“It’s just going to be a mental battle,” Crosland said.
“We know our best football’s good enough, we’ve proved that, so it’s about doing it for the full 80 minutes.”
For Costello, the equation is clear. Win, and the Butchers will be back in the hunt for another title.
“There’s a lot of belief in our side. If we bring our best against Collegians, I’m sure we’ll be in the game with a few minutes to go. That’s all this week is about.”
Words | Angelina Raula