By Tallon Smith

The Gerringong Lions have made a big statement on the game’s balance of power on the South Coast after the reigning Group 7 Premiers defeated last year’s Illawarra Champions Thirroul in a highly entertaining game at Michael Cronin Oval on Saturday.

A large crowd braved the adverse weather conditions to watch the contest, which pitted the two premier sides in the region against one another in a concept that will definitely be here to stay in future seasons.

After an early try to Thirroul hooker and former Canterbury Bulldog Brad Deitz gave the Butchers a 6-0 lead, the Lions rallied, scoring two tries to lead 12-0 at the break.

A try to Thirroul five-eighth Jarrod Boyle locked the scores up at 12-all at half time, before Gerringong burst out of the blocks in the third quarter, scoring two tries to take a 20-12 lead.

The Lions controlled the match from then on, and despite a few late errors in their own half giving the Butchers ample chances to score late in the game, a penalty goal was the only score registered in a scrappy fourth quarter, as Gerringong defended their way to a 20-14 win that will be spoken about in the region for years to come.

Gerringong Coach Scott Stewart said he was happy with his team’s performance and the standard at which they played throughout the game.

“It was a really high quality game of football I thought, and we played really well,” he said.

“The first 25 minutes was sort of around semi final intensity, no one was making mistakes, good kick chase, everyone was working really hard so I was very happy.”

The Gerringong mentor said that one area in particular that the side performed well in was their defence, especially on the edges.

“It’s something we pride ourselves on,” Stewart said.

“I think also being at home in the second half when we’ve got the crowd in the grandstand behind us, we always seem to defend better at this end, there’s a little bit of pride in playing at home.

“I was really happy, particularly our edges, they had some real quality out there and we shut them down really well.”

As for how the Lions will line up in the first round of their title defence in the Group 7 competition, Stewart said there are still a few players to return in the coming weeks.

“We’ve got a few blokes still to come back, got a couple snow skiing, one guy playing cricket a couple more playing up in the junior representative system,” he said.

“As good as the blokes did out there, we’ll add a bit of depth to our side.

“We’re happy with where we are, we haven’t signed anyone, but we’ve got a few blokes there that can obviously play some footy.”

On the other side of the ledger, Thirroul Coach Jarrod Costello was disappointed with the result, but still positive in looking forward to the start of the Illawarra Rugby League season.

“It was very disappointing, but it was a really good first hit out for us,” he said.

“You could tell it was our first trial, we weren’t great, both with the ball and defensively, but in saying that it was a really good trial and well done to Gerringong, they deserved their win today.

“It was a good way to start the season and [there’s] plenty of work to do before Round 1.”

After winning the title the hard way from fourth place last season, the Butchers mentor said that one area of particular focus in their campaign for a second straight Illawarra Cup is getting a better start to the season. 

“[We] definitely want to start the season better than last year, I think we were one from four last year,” Costello said.

“We want to make sure by the time round 1 of our competition comes around we’re starting that really well and trying to bank a few wins early.

“We’ll get our minds on our comp now.”

As for the conditions, Costello said they were tough, but in no way an excuse for the loss given that they were the same for both sides.

“It was wet for both sides, there was a lot of dropped ball, and a bit of ill-discipline, but it was tough conditions, it started raining 20 to three and didn’t really stop,” he said.

“We’ve got to handle the conditions better though.”

Gerringong will start their Group 7 title defence the weekend after the Easter long weekend, while Thirroul’s campaign for back-to-back premierships will also begin in April, with both competition draws expected to be released this week.