Players and coaches often espouse the motto ‘defence wins premierships.’
It could ring true again in the race for this year’s Mojo Homes Illawarra Cup title, with grand finalists Collegians (238) and Thirroul (255) boasting the best defensive records this season.
However, this year’s decider may come down to which scrum base combination can spark their side’s attack, with both teams possessing a halves pairing with the ability to create chances from any position on the field.
The Butchers have the experienced Jarrod Boyle, a three-time premiership winner with two different clubs, including two with Collegians, paired with young gun Tarje Whitford, the reigning Paul McGregor medallist.
Boyle is a classy playmaker who knows how to capitalise on good field position. The younger Whitford possesses a dangerous kicking game and can get across the stripe, scoring three tries in this Finals series.
Collegians captain and four-time premiership winner Blake Phillips is wary of their threat.
“In each of Thirroul’s finals games, each of the halves had their turn of turning one on, and they both played great.
“I think Tarje got two tries in the Elimination Semi-final and one last week. Boyley’s set up a few, too, so they’re definitely the ones to watch because they can come from either side of the field.”
Phillips knows Boyle’s game inside out, having played in three premiership-winning sides together at Helensburgh (2015) and Collegians (2019 and 2022).
“Boyle likes to pop up either side and challenge the defence, and he did that great against De La Salle, and I’m sure he will test us.”
Collegians pair Max Devlin and Zeik Foster are charged with steering their experienced forward pack around the park again this year. Their combination last year went a long way to helping the Collie Dogs secure the title and now have the opportunity to claim back-to-back premierships as a playmaking pair.
Foster, a Wagga Kangaroos junior, possesses a deadly kicking game and a football IQ to match, having played lower grades at Raiders and Dragons while Devlin is in his second full season in the top grade.
Devlin, last season’s leading point-scorer, played AFL for a year when Collegians didn’t field a team due to Covid in 2021 before helping the Dogs to the silverware last season.
Phillips speaks highly of his halves duo, who he says complement each other’s game to a tee.
“They really suit each other well,” Phillips explains.
“They take turns having a shot, so it’s good we can vary our strike to the left and right of the field.”
While a great halves pairing doesn’t guarantee a title, the combination that can muster up the ideal mix of playmaking and kicking skills for a full 80 minutes will go a long way to determine who holds the trophy aloft come late Saturday afternoon.
Read More>>Phillips Hungry For More Cup Success
Illawarra Rugby League Grand Finals | Saturday 2 September | WIN Stadium, Wollongong
- Mojo Homes Illawarra Cup – Collegians v Thirroul | 3pm
- Mojo Homes First Division – Wests v Corrimal | 1:15pm
- Harrigan Shield (2nd Division) – Berkeley v Avondale | 11:30am
- Mojo Homes Under 18’s – Collegians v Thirroul | 9:45am