The Mojo Homes Illawarra Cup reaches its midway point this weekend, with Collegians hosting Thirroul in this Saturday’s Match of the Round.
Both teams come into the match on a winning run, with Collegians winning their last two and Thirroul their previous three, including a breakthrough victory against De La Salle in Round 6.
Butchers centre Steve Marsters believes that doing little things right has been at the heart of his team’s recent success.
“At the start of the year, we weren’t playing the good footy we are now. It took us a bit with a few new players coming into the team, but now the chemistry is a lot different to how we had it at the start,” Steve says.
“We won’t change much. We’ve just got to turn up on the day and have the right headspace for it.”
Watch Live and Free >> Thirroul v Collegians
Marsters has also transformed himself personally since last season, dropping almost 30 kilos since last year’s Rugby League World Cup, where he represented the Cook Islands.
“I feel a lot lighter, and I’m really enjoying it all at the moment.”
“Last year I was pretty much overweight as a back. Coming into the new year I had a different mindset on the back of the World Cup.”
“It was a great experience for all of us young blokes, playing amongst and against some great players. It’s a very big step for us as Cook Islanders as well to get our nation back into the World Cup.”
As for Collegians, they have won three of their four clashes on home soil so far this season and will be sure to go toe-to-toe with the in-form Blue and Whites.
In the other matches, Dapto will travel to Captain Cook Oval to battle De La Salle, while ladder-leaders Western Suburbs take on Corrimal.
The Canaries have shown their potential in bursts this season and will be looking to contest the full 80 minutes in their match, while the improving Cougars face a tough challenge against the Red Devils.
In First Division, the Devils will be looking to extend their unbeaten run when they meet Corrimal, while Helensburgh plays Dapto and Thirroul hosts Collegians.
Meanwhile, the second-placed Figtree Crushers will battle the third-placed Avondale Greyhounds in the Harrigan Shield. Windang plays Mount Kembla, and Northern Suburbs host Corrimal.
Words: Russ Haylock
