Wests (First and Reserve Grade) and Avondale Greyhounds are all enjoying a week off after winning last week and advancing to their respective Grand Finals.
Here’s the Week 2 Prelim Finals fixtures across the grades…Proudly supported by FEEL GOOD…i98!
Harrigan Premiership
- De La Salle (2) v Thirroul (3) | Saturday, 31 August, Collegians Sporting Complex, 3pm.
De La Salle beat Thirroul on two of the three occasions they met this year. Aside from the 36-16 win to the Shire outfit in Round 10, only six points separated the two sides in their last two encounters.
The more telling stat is the finals records. De La Salle have made the finals in each of the three seasons they have played in the Illawarra’s major competition but have yet to win a finals game.
Over the same period, Thirroul was bundled out in straight sets in 2022 but bounced back last year, winning all three finals games in their unbeaten run from fourth place.
Last week’s win over Collegians proved yet again that they have what it takes to win in finals footy.
Head-to-Head
- De La Salle 36 – Thirroul 16 (Round 10)
- Thirroul 24 – De La Salle 22 (Round 4 postponed washout)
- De La Salle 14 – Thirroul 10 (Round 15)
Harrigan Plate
- Berkeley (2) v Avondale Wombats (4) | Saturday, 31 August, Collegians Sporting Complex, 1.15pm.
Berkeley Eagles are entitled to go into the Prelim Final as favourites with just one regular season loss, to Wests 36-6 back in June, and two wins from two encounters against their opponents, the Avondale Wombats.
The Wombats, a former rugby union club, lost both home and away games to Thirroul before beating the Butchers in their elimination bout last week to take some momentum into their clash with the Eagles.
Head-to-Head
- Berkeley 22 – Wombats 20 (Round 12)
- Berkeley 34 – Wombast 10 (Rd 15)
Harrigan Shield
- Figtree (2) v Windang Sharks (4) | Saturday, 31 August, Collegians Sporting Complex, 11.45pm.
Figtree Crushers got off to a flying start this season, undefeated through 8 rounds. However, their far-from-ideal preparation for the finals included two forfeits and two losses, punctuated by a 52-0 win over Berkeley before last week’s 24-0 defeat by the Greyhounds in the major semi.
Due to a rules breach by the Wombats in their 28-24 win over Windang Sharks in last week’s sudden-death semi, the Sharks have been reinstated and will be the Crushers opponents this weekend.
The two sides will meet for the first time after their Round 9 fixture was washed out and the Sharks forfeited to the Crushers in Round 13.