With two rounds left to play in the regular season, all three grades have a chance to secure a semi final spot. It has been a few years since this has happened at the club so lets dive in and take a look at the state of play for each grade (I apologies in advance if my calculations of outcomes in each grade isn’t correct . All teams just need to win both games to make things easy)
Harrigan Premiership – 2nd 18 points
Our Harrigan Premiership team can sit top of the table at the end of the regular season with two wins from the last two rounds. They will need to make up a for and against differential of 20 to claim top spot from De La Selle as it stands at the moment. With only 4 points between 1st and 4th on the ladder the worst the Butchers can finish is 3rd as Wests and Collies play each other in the last round.
There is a lot at stake this year to finish top of the table then passed years as the top seeded teams at the end of the regular season get a home semi final, that means if we finish 1st or 3rd we would secure a home final at Gibson Park, yes that’s right a home final at our home ground. Finishing first or second will give us two shots at making the Grand Final like has always been the case.
This weekends game is pretty much a must win to put us in the drivers seat to finish in first position and get a home semi final, that’s not saying Corrimal will be a walk over in the last round because local derbies are tough no matter where each club is positioned on the ladder. Winning against De La Selle will also go a long way to securing the club championship, which is something this club holds in high regard as an award. Unofficial calculations has Thirroul sitting on 135 points and Wests on 133 after round 14.
We need a big home crowd this Saturday to help lift the boys to a win. So clear your calendar and head down to Gibson Park, kick off is 3pm as there is only Harrigan Premiership playing with the lower grades away to Corrimal.
Remaining games
Round 15 v De La Selle – home
Round 16 v Corrimal – away
Harrigan Plate – 3rd 18 points
With two wins the Harrigan Plate team can finish as high as third but can also drop out of the semi’s race if things don’t go their way. The team currently sits in 4th position on 18 points and play teams lower than them over the next two weeks. With Helensburgh in 5th having a for and against differential of -26 one win out of the remain two games could secure the team a well deserved spot in the minor semi final. The Avondale Wombats are above the Butchers on the ladder on 19 points and have games again Berkeley (2nd position) this weekend and Corrimal in the last round. Again another tight competition ladder where positions 3 to 5 are separated by 3 points.
Remaining games
Round 15 Corrimal – away
Round 16 Helensburgh – away
Under 18s
Mick Scott in his first year as coach has had this team flying all year, with their first loss only coming last round away to second place St John Bosco. The young Butchers currently sit on top of the ladder with 27 points two in front of Bosco on 25.
A win this weekend against Corrimal could secure the young chargers top spot, a loss will mean top spot for the Under 18s will come down to the final round against St John Bosco at Gibson Park. If all things go a stray and the team loses twice they can only finish as lower as 2nd which potentially could mean a Grand Final in the shire.
The Under 18s or NSWRL Southern Corridor Competitions as its known has a different set up for the finals then what the IRL has. Lets have a look how it works
Top 4 Finals format over 2 weeks
(the league is proposing)
1st v 4th
2nd v 3rd
Grand Final will be either at Shark Park or WIN Stadium. Grand Final is played based on higher ranked team progressing.
IRL regardless of the outcome will still host an under-18s Grand Final (highest ranked teams from Illawarra to play)
Remaining games
Round 15 Corrimal – away
Round 16 St John Bosco – home
