GAMES don't get more 'must-win' than Thirroul's final-round clash with Wenworthville on Saturday as the Butchers make one last push at a Presidents Cup finals berth.
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The Butchers currently sit level with fourth-placed Hills on the ladder after grinding out a tough away win over Dubbo CYMS last week.
They can jump ahead with a win over the Magpies on Saturday night but, with a significantly worse for and against, they'll then have to hope CYMS can do them a favour and knock off Hills a day later.
Having met most challenges put in front of them through a gruelling campaign, coach Jarrod Costello feels his side has put in too much to go out with a whimper.
"Must-win's the only way you can describe it, if we don't win it's all over," Costello said.
"Everyone's playing for free, they're playing for the love of the club and the jumper and everyone's invested a lot of time into it. Everyone's been really committed, it took the boys seven hours on a bus to get out to Dubbo last week so it's been a big ask.
"Our whole club's put a lot into it, we've got three teams playing on Saturday in three different locations within hours of each other, so it's been a real commitment from the whole club for us to compete in this Presidents Cup. That's something we're really grateful for.
"We think, with the way we've performed throughout the competition, we deserve to be in the semis and we're really excited to go and play a big club in a must-win game. It doesn't get more exciting than that."
Wenworthville have struggled this season, with just one win in their seven games, but present a dangerous prospect with little to lose on Saturday.
"It's their last game so there's no doubt they'll move the footy around and there's not a lot of risk for them," Costello said.
"We're expecting them to come out firing, it's their last game, they're at home, the Sydney Shield are playing before them, and they've got nothing to lose.
"It's simple, for us to keep our season alive we need to win. It narrows the focus just to your own performance and that's all we've spoken about."
Wests are a finals hope but they will need to produce a big upset against North Sydney on Saturday, and hope the Butchers and Hills fall, to sneak in.
Helensburgh are sitting fourth heading into the final round of the Sydney Shield but will carry a hefty injury toll into a tough away clash with second-placed Belrose on Sunday.
Only a win will get them over the finals line, while a loss will see them leapfrogged by the winner of Sunday's other clash between Hills and Moorebank.
In Illawarra Open Age football, Dapto will be looking to take momentum from their first win of the season over Corrimal into Saturday's clash with league-leaders Avondale.
Helensburgh will host Thirroul at Rex Jackson looking to keep their slim grand final hopes alive, while Corrimal will host Wests at Ziems Park.
Mitch Jennings
Sports writer. Sport is my passion, rugby league my first love.
Sports writer. Sport is my passion, rugby league my first love.
