After reaching the grand final the hard way, just as last year, reigning champions Thirroul know what it takes to go all the way in the Harrigan Premiership.
Butchers Captain Hayden Crosland is confident of back-to-back titles following last week’s win over De La Salle, believing momentum has come at the right time of the season.
“We held the ball really well and didn’t give them [De La Salle] many chances, and it’s going to be the same thing on the weekend.
“I think we are benefiting from playing week-to-week footy and just building off that, as well as the good results.
“We’re getting our combinations right as well, and everyone’s been playing together and for each other,” Crosland said.
Butchers Building Dynasty
Before the Butchers won the competition from fourth last year, the club had a nine-year premiership drought hanging over their heads.
Crosland says the proposition of going back-to-back is spurring on his side to put in the extra one percenters for Sunday’s clash.
With four-time premiership-winning five-eighth Jarrod Boyle set to hang up the boots post-game, the premiership-winning captain also hopes a win might keep the team together a little longer.
“I think it will definitely motivate people to stay together.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the older blokes decide to come back as well, get a bit of a piece of the success.
“Going back-to-back would be massive. We’re a local club with a lot of local juniors, so people have grown up trying to make a name for themselves within the club, and it would be the perfect way to do it this weekend.”
Read More >> Road To The Finals
Devils Ready To Dethrone Champs
Wests stand between the Butchers and the coveted silverware aiming to dust the cobwebs off their premiership cabinet after a week off following a win against De La Salle Caringbah a fortnight ago.
Having not lifted the trophy since 2018, Devils Hooker Joseph ‘Joey’ Dickson says they used the week off to get ready for a heavy contact match on Sunday.
“A bit of rest on the body was nice.
“The boys are definitely ready for Sunday and undo our woes from previous years, falling at the last hurdle,” Dickson said.
Back To Basics
Dickson understands Thirroul is no stranger to winning against the odds, but he is confident his side can go the extra mile.
“I know it sounds cliché, but just doing the basic things right.
“If we complete our sets and kick well and make them start their sets in bad spots by going long, that will be the way for us.
“If we do everything right and put our best foot forward and into playing our best footy, that’ll go a long way for us come game day.”
Words: Joshua Houldin
Grand Final Fixtures | WIN Stadium, Sunday, 8 September
Harrigan Premiership | 3pm
- Wests v Thirroul
Harrigan Plate | 1.15pm
- Wests v Berkeley
Harrigan Shield | 11.30am
- Avondale Greyhounds v Figtree
Southern Corridor U18’s | 10am
- Thirroul v Aquinas Colts