WESTS halfback Justin Rodrigues says his side has put too much into its Presidents Cup campaign to just meekly limp out of finals contention.
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The Devils overcame a round-one loss to Illawarra rivals Thirroul to force their way into the top four after a win over Dubbo Cyms on a Parrish Park marsh in round four.
They're yet to drop out and head into Saturday's home clash with Hills District still clinging to fourth spot despite a 48-0 beating at the hands of Maitland last week.
It's the only genuine blemish on their record thus far, with the tight loss to Butchers and an 18-all draw with Glebe-Burwood their only other small hiccups.
It leaves them well within reach of their finals goal and Rodrigues says his side is fully confident of getting there despite last week's defeat.
"With the team that we've had we've always felt we were capable of making the semis and that's still definitely the goal at this stage," Rodrigues, who was a late withdrawal from the Maitland clash, said.
"Playing for free, it's all about the pride we have in the jumper and it's been amazing what the boys have been able to do off such a limited preparation.
To have done we've done to this point and play the quality of football we've been playing has been really impressive. We're obviously a really young side, younger than usual this year, but they've all come in and trained the house down.
"The commitment on the weekend, putting in for each other has been sensational. We're a win or two away now and I definitely think we're capable."
The point the Devils took away from their draw with Glebe-Burwood a fortnight ago has them a point ahead of Hills and Thirroul on the ladder.
A win would put them out of the fifth-placed Bulls's reach, with second-placed North Sydney waiting in the final round. Rodrigues said the logjam around fourth spot means finals have effectively come early.
"We're really confident going into Hills this week that we can get the job done," Rodrigues said.
"We probably should've beaten Glebe-Burwood two weeks ago, we just missed our opportunities to win that one and obviously Thirroul, the other Illawarra side, beat Hills at home.
"That gives us some confidence but one of the reasons I've loved this comp because it has been a step into unknown each week. You don't know the players on other teams and what they're going to do.
"That unpredictability has been really good but for us it's a semi-final from now onwards. We've always been pretty good in pressure games in the past. I'm confident going into this week and you've really just got to look at it one week at a time."
It's a big weekend for all Illawarra sides, with Thirroul needing to win both their final two games - starting with Saturday's away clash with Dubbo Cyms - to reach the finals.
Helensburgh will also be playing for their Sydney Shield finals future at Rex Jackson Oval where they host Hills District on Saturday.
Mitch Jennings
Sports writer. Sport is my passion, rugby league my first love.
Sports writer. Sport is my passion, rugby league my first love.
