After five rounds in the Mojo Homes Illawarra Cup and having played each other once, teams go up against their Round 1 opponents again this Saturday, either looking for redemption or to consolidate their position on the ladder.
De La Salle travel to Thomas Gibson Park to take on Thirroul in the Match of the Round, with the Shire-based outfit wary that the Butchers will be out to avenge their 18-13 loss at the beginning of the season.
De La has recorded four wins and a draw to start the season, with halfback Eli Levido putting their early season success down to their high work rate.
“We just want to keep playing for the full 80 minutes. We’ve played everyone now, and we know what sort of footy everyone is playing, so we need to prepare for each team accordingly each week,” Eli says.
Levido has played over 80 games across the NSW and Queensland Cup and has been in impressive form in the early rounds of the 2023 season.
“It’s my first season with the Club, but I did know and had played against some of the boys in the team, especially my halves partner Jack Williams. We’ve played against each other before but never together, and we’ve clicked together straight away.”
“We’ve both been floating on both sides and as we see opportunities, we’re trying to take them. It seems to be working so far, so hopefully, we can continue that going forward.”
Collies seeking improved discipline
Collegians will be looking to break their two-game losing streak when they take on Corrimal, who showed plenty of fight in their 30-16 defeat to De La Salle in their last start.host last season’s pr
Collies winger Sam McCann says there have been plenty of positives to take away from the first round, but also some areas that need attention in the lead-up to this match.
In their most recent clash with Wests, the defending premiers were reduced to 11 men, for the second time this season, with McCann recognising their need to address this issue if they are to challenge for a top-two finish.
“One of the main things for us to focus on is our discipline. Simple things like that, and our handling and our errors,” Sam says.
“Our middles have been getting through and laying the platform for us, making it easier for the halves to play and the backs to do their thing.”
“We had a good result against Corrimal in Round 1, so we’ll be hoping to replicate that again.”
Elsewhere, Dapto will host Wests, with the Devils aiming to continue their unbeaten run and maintain the top spot on the ladder.
Wests are just ahead of De La Salle on for and against, while Dapto has had just one victory and will be fighting hard for another to stay in touching distance of the top four. The Canaries held their own for long periods in their Round 1 clash, eventually going down 28-12.
In Mojo Homes First Division, Dapto host the undefeated Wests at Dapto Showground, third-placed Collies take on Corrimal and Thirroul are at home to second-placed Helensburgh Tigers at Gibson Park.
In Harrigan Shield action, the undefeated Berkeley host last year’s premiers the Northern Suburbs Bulldogs, Windang plays Corrimal and Mt Kembla are at home to Figtree.
The competition will pause next week for the June Long Weekend.
Words | Russ Haylock