Collegians coach Nathan Fien has declared this weekend's Illawarra Rugby League showdown with Thirroul will be won up front.
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The two undefeated sides will clash in an early battle for competition favouritism at Gibson Park on Saturday.
Collies enter the game on the back of a dominant 58-0 victory over Dapto, with Fien looking for his forwards to continue their impressive start to the season.
That will be no easy task, the Butchers boasting a pack led by Josh Starling, Frank Winterstein and captain Damian Sironen. The coach, however, is confident his big men will be up to the task.
"The combinations are getting a bit better each week," Fien said. "That showed on the weekend against Dapto.
"We're looking forward to this clash. We've heard a lot about Thirroul and their forwards, the platform they're laying for their team at the moment and they've also got some exciting outside backs.
"It's a tough place to get those two competition points. Every game I've been involved in - whether playing or coaching - at Gibson Park, it's always a grind, it always comes down to one freakish moment or special play."
Thirroul enter Saturday's contest on the back of a pair of comfortable victories, defeating Dapto 46-16 in round one before a 22-0 win over Corrimal last weekend.
While the two sides are evenly matched, Collegians boast a wildcard in halfback Jackson Willis, Jarrod Boyle's replacement. Fien said the playmaker has the ability to break the game open.
"He's a very cheeky little halfback, I absolutely love him. The stuff he's been able to do for us over the first couple of weeks of the season has been tremendous.
"We're all still trying to get a feel for each other, understanding where everybody fits in the puzzle. Some of his class touches in the early parts of the season, they're definitely what have put us in the position we are in.
"He's a good player and we needed someone to stand up after losing [Jarrod Boyle] as well. Boyley had been the driving force behind our team over the last few years and losing him was a big loss and Jacko's taken the reigns and run with it."