Thirroul Butchers remain a strong chance to defend their 2023 first-grade premiership victory as pressure builds in the 2024 Illawarra Harrigan Premiership rugby league competition.
The Thirroul side defeated Collegians 24-18 in a nail-biting Grand Final last September to win their first Illawarra title since 2014.
This year five other teams – Corrimal, Collegians, Western Suburbs, Dapto and De La Salle – are vying for premiership honours.
The Butchers’ form strengthened after an unstable start to the season in April, but wavered as recently as round 8 in a 20-12 loss to Collegians.
Club president Brett Jones said first grade’s patchy progress had been expected as there had been a high turnover of playing staff since last year.
“With several new faces, it was always going to take time for the side to gel,” he said.
“While we were very close to getting the win in the first round against West, who have a very strong side this year, it was promising to see our improvement to get a comprehensive win against them at their home ground.’’
The blue-and-whites kicked off the year with a 16-12 loss to Wests, who climbed off the canvas after remaining scoreless until half-time. The 22-12 win over Collies, also at Gibson Park, followed before a third-round 16-all draw with Dapto as Thirroul searched for consistent form.
Thirroul bounced back and finished May strongly at home with a 40-8 win over Corrimal before beating Wests 26-12 in their showcase win of the season so far in round seven.
Two tries in that match came from clever kicks from five-eighth Jarrod Boyle behind Wests lines which Butchers centre Nelson Sharp swooped on.
Winger Jye Patterson crossed against Collegians in round eight to add to his tally and share the lead on the competition try-scorer ladder with five. Thirroul’s former NRL centre Steve Marsters has four tries for the season.
Leading the first grade competition recently were Sydney raiders De La Salle with eight points, with Thirroul a close second and Collegians and Wests locked in third.
In Harrigan plate reserve grade, the Butchers have been sharing second spot with Berkeley and Avondale while Wests rule the roost. Early wins this year came over Collegians, Dapto and Corrimal before a two-point loss to Wests in round 7 and a convincing 22-2 win over Collegians in round eight.
Brett says the club’s strong depth has helped the reserves sit high on the ladder.
“A very satisfying point for us has been the progression of several players from lower grades into first grade, which is what our club prides itself on,’’ Brett said.
“We have a great bunch of talented players coming through in our under 18s side – the most satisfying point of the side is their team work and commitment to each other, having to come from behind on a couple of occasions to get the win.
“Coach Michael Scott along with Phil Ostwald is doing a tremendous job.”
Thirroul’s under 18s side is leading their competition at the half-way mark.