The Illawarra Steelers head into a high-stakes Round 9 clash against the Warriors at Collegians Sporting Complex on Saturday with everything on the line, knowing a victory will secure a coveted top four finish and a crucial second chance heading into the Harold Matthews Cup finals series.
It’s a scenario that mirrors finals football a week early — and for head coach Jy Clapham, the message to his side has remained consistent.
“We’ve just focused week by week on what we want to get out of the competition,” Clapham said. “It’s not an easy task going into this week. The Warriors win competitions this way, so it’s a really good lead-in to what we’re going to face in the finals.”
While the stakes rise, Clapham insists the approach won’t.
“We just stick to our systems and principles — nothing changes. Whether it’s Round 1 or a knockout finals game, we stay the same.”
That consistency has been built on a simple but uncompromising foundation.
“We set high standards from the start. We knew what we could achieve with the talent in the group, but it always comes back to hard work. Talent will only get you so far — it’s the work you put in that gets you there in the end.”
The Steelers received a timely boost with a bye last week, allowing the squad to freshen up ahead of the final push.
“It’s probably come at a good time of year for us,” Clapham said. “We’ve been able to rest a few bodies, enjoy each other’s company, and now it’s back to business.”
Tausala Leading the Charge
A key figure in the Steelers’ campaign has been centre Destin Tausala (main picture), who has crossed for seven tries in as many games this season.
But for Tausala, individual success is secondary to the team-first mentality driving the group.
“We’ve got heaps of selfless players,” Tausala said. “We like to work hard, and we just focus on getting the job done. We’re not getting ahead of ourselves — we’re staying humble and enjoying our footy.”
The talented centre is expecting a fierce contest against the Warriors, particularly given the finals implications.
“It’s going to be a good game. We’ve just got to prepare well. I believe in our team and what we can do.”
With a top four finish within reach, Tausala acknowledged the heightened intensity around the group.
“It does feel more serious. We know we have to win to put ourselves in a better position for finals. It’s about ticking the boxes and not taking this week lightly.”
Built on Trust and Connection
Clapham also highlighted the strong connection within the squad as a driving force behind their success, with many players progressing through the pathway system together.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with a lot of these boys for a few years now, so that connection was already there,” he said. “We’ve just built on it. There’s genuine trust in the group — they play for each other.”
That trust is exemplified in players like Tausala, who Clapham praised for both his character and commitment.
“He’s a great kid, an even better teammate. He’s trustworthy, reliable, and he’s working hard for the players around him. We can’t speak highly enough of him.”
Finals Come Early
With the Warriors renowned for their physical, finals-style football, Saturday’s clash shapes as the perfect dress rehearsal for what lies ahead.
For the Steelers, the equation is simple: win and earn the safety net of a second chance. Lose, and face a sudden-death path through the finals.
Either way, Clapham is confident his side is ready.
“Prep right, play our style, and then we’ll deal with next week when it comes.”
Because for the Steelers, the mission hasn’t changed — just the stakes.
Saturday, 4 April, Collegians Sporting Complex
- HMC – Steelers (3rd) v Warriors (15th), 10:30am
- SGB – Steelers (14th) v Warriors (13th), 11:50am
- TGC – Steelers (7th) v Storm (11th), 1:20pm
- LFC – Steelers (12th) v Storm (7th), 2:40pm
Images: Denis Ivaneza