Illawarra Rugby League’s premier men’s competition, the Harrigan Cup kicks off over the Anzac long weekend. After months of preparation, every club now turns its focus to performance, as pre-season promise gives way to results on the field.
New signings — including former NRL talent — have bolstered squads, a new team has entered the fold, and several clubs are building genuine momentum after breakthrough 2025 campaigns. Meanwhile, the back-to-back premiers face the challenge of defending their crown against a field hungry to close the gap.
With rivalries reignited and fresh storylines emerging across the competition, the 2026 Harrigan Cup is shaping as one of the most open and compelling seasons in recent memory. Joshua Houldin reports.
Wests Looking to Three-Peat
Reigning premiers Wests Devils go into the season with a target on their back as they look to extend their championship streak to three years running. Wests hooker Joseph “Joey” Dickson says it’s something his side looks forward to.
“I feel like even when we haven’t won the comp, teams always turn up to play Wests and you always want to get one up over Wests,” Dickson said.
“Yeah, there’s probably a target on our back, but it’s something we look forward to.
With an almost unchanged squad and a crop of young talent building on last season’s cameos, Dickson says there is a driving confidence heading into 2026.
“You build a connection with the blokes that you play with every week, and I guess you sort of get to hit the ground running.
“A few young middles will get a run… they’ve ripped in during pre-season.
Round one matchmakers have thrown up a mouthwatering clash, with a grand final rematch between Wests and Collegians to kick-off the season. A grudge match Dickson says his side is always ready for.
“It’s always a good game, and I guess neither club really like each other too much, it’ll be good.
“There’s a mutual respect… but you still always want to get one over Collies.”
Consistent Collies Ready for Redemption
After losing just two regular season matches last year on top an extra time heartbreak loss in the grand final, Collegians Dilan Asanoski says that there is a bit of chip on his sides shoulder coming into the season opener.
“We’ve got such a good rivalry with Wests, and especially last year we played them three or four times, every game was pretty close,” Asanoski said.
“Also just trying to focus on ourselves and I guess to an extent bring up some of those previous feelings of losing that grand final but not letting that overwhelm the occasion.
“Losing that grand final has obviously brought our group a bit closer.
“It’s definitely something we’ve talked about at training but just worrying about our own game and performing to the best that we can.
Even with rivals strengthening around them, Asanoski assures that his side enters 2026 as heavy favourites. Saying that it’s a testament to how high Collies have set expectations.
“We sort of don’t try and look too far outside our four walls.
“We’re very much focused on ourselves and we know on our day our best footy can be the best type of footy.
“On our day if everything goes right, we can get the chocolates pretty much against anyone.
“We are aware of other teams going out and signing players and we think that’s more of a reflection in ourselves as well.
“I think other teams are more so trying to match up with us.
“It’s just about trying to focus on ourselves and get the results.”
Freebairn Embraces Dual Role
One of the most compelling storylines heading into the new season is that of Dapto player-coach Tom Freebairn.
Freebairn says speaking with Illawarra Steelers legend and former St George coach Paul McGregor cemented his decision in taking up the dual role.
“We spoke about it and he sort of said that it’s something that he could see me doing,” Freebairn said.
“I don’t think I ever looked at myself as being in this role.
“I’m obviously being guided by him and my other coaches as well at the club.
“I’ve never coached before so I’m learning every training session, but it’s been an awesome ride and I’m enjoying it at the moment.
“I’m going to give everything I can for the club.
“Hopefully it translates really well to on-field performances.
Aiming to return to finals in consecutive seasons after a hiatus, Freebairn says the goal is to build on the success they achieved last season.
“We were lucky enough to taste success… it was the first finals we’ve been in for quite a long time.
“So, I just need to replicate what we were doing last year and add more to it.
“We want to have that identity of Dapto playing finals every year, and that is the goal.
“Anyone I think will say that they’re very confident within their squad and I think you need to be.
“We’re aiming to get back into the finals, I think that’s a good target.
Dapto turn their attention to Corrimal to open their season, a side that also enjoyed a major resurgence in 2025, returning to finals football after winning just two games the year prior. A challenging fixture that Freebairn says his side is up for.
“Everyone wants to win, that’s why we play the game.
“Dapto are to compete every game, every round.”
Corrimal Looking to Build on Breakthrough Season
As for the Corrimal Cougars, they have added serious firepower, with former NRL forwards Ben Murdoch-Masila and Raymond Faitala-Mariner set to put the competition on notice.
Corrimal captain Murdoch-Masila says that the blend of experience and youth will put his side in good stead for the season ahead. Placing emphasis on some of his partners in their formidable forward pack.
“We’ve got a few Ex-NRL players, so that will help out our young guys coming through,” Murdoch-Masila said.
“I look at our [forward] pack and it’s pretty exciting to see.
“Ray [Faitala-Mariner] there and big Peni [Misinale], big Jacob [Karam] as well.
“I’m real excited to see what we can do as a forward pack and if we can rock a few teams.
With over 100 NRL games to his name, Murdoch-Masila has quickly embraced his leadership role within the side and helping teammates in their rugby league development.
“Myself and Ray are a bit of older heads at the moment and we’ve got those young guys coming through and they’re just basically learning off us.
“They’re always asking for a bit of extra work at the end of trainings.
“We’re always happy to help out and if we can help them now in their career, they’ll only benefit.
The former Dragon also made point of the Cougars effort in knocking off the two-time premiers twice in the regular season last year. He stated that they are well equipped to beat anyone this season, including Dapto in their Round one clash.
“I think they beat them [Wests Devils] twice last year and it just goes to show that they turn up for big games.
“In my career, I’ve always learnt if someone’s on their day, they can beat anyone.
“We’re looking pretty good.
“The way I’ve been seeing the boys’ in training, the vibes, the attitude, everyone’s turning up, so it makes for something special this year.
“If you’re coming out of Round one with a good result, a good win, then we’ll just show everyone else what Corrimal is capable of.”
Pirates Embark on Harrigan Cup Journey
The most significant change from last year’s competition is the introduction of the Sutherland Loftus Pirates to the Harrigan Cup.
The Pirates’ Jaxon Lavender says his team is up for the challenge of the NSWRL major competition, acknowledging that his side comes in as a bit of a unknown entity.
“The reputation the comp has of having a really strong teams across the board,” Lavender said.
“Being a new team, it’s a whole new thing for everyone, but it’s really exciting for the club and the organisation.
“We are moving in the right direction, being in a strong competition, getting that exposure.
“Anything can sort of happen, everyone’s getting new players every single year and they don’t know how we’re going to come into the competition.
“There are Jersey Flegg players, in the system that are getting opportunities with our side and some New South Wales Cup players as well.
“So, it’s a really good opportunity for guys to showcase themselves along some strong opposition.
“it’s exciting for the development of these guys.
Hosting Thirroul in Round one on home soil in the shire, the Lavender admits there’s no “pressure” to perform but instead build on top of the foundations his side have found success in during pre-season.
“Pressure’s probably not the right word.
“Slow burn, you could say, but every team wants immediate success.
“You don’t want to come into a competition losing games.
“I think as long as we hit the ground running and we’re happy.
“Our performances and putting our best foot forward each week, that’s what we want to see.
“We’ll have some success in the competition for sure.
Lavender is expecting a strong turnout at Sutherland Oval for their debut.
“New competition, new fans, new supporters getting down there.
“You always get a leg up when you’re playing at home.
“So hopefully they get out there and they show support in numbers because everyone knows home ground advantage is a real thing.
“Hopefully we can get the job done.
Butchers Back in the Hunt
Hungry to return to finals contention, Thirroul head into 2026 with a more experienced young core and key NRL level reinforcements. Recruiting Former Wests Tigers outside back Brent Naden and Former Queensland Maroons representative Corey Allen to their side.
Butchers captain Tarje Whitford says the off-season reinforcements and a good pre-season are giving his side the confidence to return to former glory and “win it all.”
“Coming into this year, the boys have put in a great pre-season,” Whitford said.
“The signings that we’ve made in Brent, Corey, Maddo [Luke Maddaford], some of the boys up from the Shire, I think we’ll be definitely fielding a stronger team this year.
“The expectation that we have is that we want to win it all.
The Butchers will be looking to make an early statement and spoil the Pirates’ first outing. The Thirroul skipper admittedly unsure of the side the Pirates are going to field, he emphasised they will be out to play Butchers football regardless of opponent.
“Every week that you run out, you always want to be winning.
“It’s a close enough comp where one win or one loss can really make a difference.
“I think this week, where we’re not too sure who we’re actually going to be up against.
“It’s something where we want to go out and play whoever’s in front of us and play our best footy.
“We want to be getting off on the right foot and going from there.