After coming agonisingly close to winning last year’s grand final, the Western Suburbs Devils have been busy over the pre-season, aiming to go one step further in this year’s MOJO Homes Illawarra Cup. Russ Haylock reports.
Coach Pete McLeod says the Club has retained much of its core squad, adding some new faces, and that they are fit and firing for their first match this weekend.
A look at last season: Wests finished second on the competition ladder, losing only to Thirroul (once) and Collegians (twice) throughout the regular season. They defeated Thirroul 24-8 in the major semi-final before being narrowly beaten 12-10 in the season decider at WIN Stadium.
The Devils hope to be in the mix again in 2023 after winning 2018 grand final and featuring in both that have been played since.
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New Signings: The Devils have picked up an NRL Premiership winner for this season, with former Cronulla Shark Sosaia Feki signing on for 2023. Feki played 148 NRL games across seven seasons at the Sharks before moving to the Super League, where he struggled with injuries in his time with the Castleford Tigers. Coach McLeod says he is excited by what a player of Feki’s experience and quality can bring this season.
“Sosaia is a really good guy. He’s been really good around the group and with the young guys at training. We can’t wait to see what he can do for the Devils this year,” McLeod says.
Feki will play alongside his old Castleford teammate Grant Millington this season. Jalal Bazzaz and Nathan Leatigaga will join him in an imposing forward pack for Wests this season.
Trial Matches: Wests have played out two trial matches in preparation for Round One, taking on the Cessnock Goannas and Emu Plains RLFC and gaining valuable match fitness. Coach McLeod says he was pleased by the efforts in these matches as the team put the finishing touches on their preparation for this year.
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Early Fixtures:
- Round 1 vs Dapto (Home)
- Round 2 vs De La Salle (Home)
- Round 3 vs Corrimal (Away)
Peter McLeod, Head Coach: “This year we’re focussing on what we can do every week to get better every game, trying to get better against good teams because that’s what we get every weekend in this competition. “The standard is going to be high, and we’re looking to go one better than last year.”
“We haven’t been able to play at home for ages, and we want to make it a hard place to come and get the two points. When you play at home, you play in front of your friends and family and supporters of the Club, so it’s a good time to play your best footy.”