The 2023 Illawarra Rugby League season was officially launched at the Steelers Club Friday evening, 24 March. Mojo Homes Illawarra Cup Premiers, Collegians, and Harrigan Shield champions, the Northern Suburbs Bulldogs, will have a target on their backs as they prepare to defend their titles.
Meanwhile, sixteen aged-based teams, beginning from Under 9’s, will also take to the field in South32 girls’ tackle and league tag competitions.
Collegians have set their sights on back-to-back titles in the Mojo Homes Illawarra Cup, while the Wests Devils, who have signed former Cronulla Sharks premiership winger Sosaia Feki, will be out to erase the memories of last season’s heartbreaking grand final loss. However, they must wait until Round 5 to face off against the premiers.
Last season’s minor premiers, Thirroul Butchers, also seek redemption after bowing out of the Finals in straight sets. Shire-based De La Salle returns for another crack at the Illawarra’s best, proving a force to be reckoned with by finishing in the top four at their first attempt.
Dapto Canaries and Corrimal Cougars both showed glimpses of form last season. Still, they will seek consistency as they aspire to play finals footy in 2023. The Cougars have been bolstered by the signing of former Newcastle Knights and Blues State of Origin halfback Jarrod Mullen. The Canaries have picked up former NRL players Brad Takairangi (Roosters, Titans, and Eels, Aaron Gray (Souths, Sharks), and Pita Godinet (Warriors, Manly, Tigers).
Read More>>The Cougars Are Coming
Meanwhile, in Harrigan Shield, the Northern Suburbs Bulldogs will defend their crown in what is shaping up as another closely fought competition. Who could forget the high drama in the 2022 Harrigan Shield grand final as the Bulldogs sealed the deal over Berkeley Eagles after the siren?
The Corrimal Cougars’ open women’s team will participate in a new-look Southern Corridor competition against teams from St George, Cronulla, and Group 7 this year.
“2023 is shaping up to be another big season across all our competitions,” Chairman Gerry Murphy said. “While we are disappointed to have lost a couple of teams from the Mojo Homes Cup for this season, we believe the high playing standard of our competition remains.”
“It’s also pleasing to see the Harrigan Shield and South32 Women and Girls program continue to gather interest.”
Mojo Homes Illawarra Cup Round One Fixtures – 22 April 2023
· Collegians v Corrimal, Roberts Ziems Park Corrimal
· Western Suburbs v Dapto, Sid Parrish Park, Figtree
· De La Salle v Thirroul, Captain Cook Oval, Cronulla
*Thirroul unavailable for Photo