Illawarra League: Collision looming as arch-rivals gather speed

A 26-18 win over Collies avenged the Butchers home loss - their only defeat of the season - to the Dogs in round three and puts them two wins clear at the top of the ladder.

They'll hosts Wests on Saturday with the Devils in their own rich vein of form having won their last two games by a combined margin of 82-32. It includes an emphatic 40-16 victory over Collegians three weeks ago.

They'll be gunning for another big scalp on the road this week and Crosland says his side will need to build on what was its first full 80-minute performance last outing.

"We were a bit complacent against Corrimal [a week earlier] and we got a bit of a kick up the backside at halftime and training again on Tuesday," Crosland said.

"We were pretty happy with that performance against Collies, I think it was probably our best performance defensively for the year but we've definitely got a fair bit to improve on.

"You see a few blokes coming at our really experienced guys and there's all this talk about us being a good side but we but we haven't really proven it yet. We need to perform like a good side.

"That was what we were really working on, making sure everyone's playing the best they can and finding that extra 25 per cent because we're definitely better than what we have been playing."

While much of the talk centres on the forward pack featuring the likes of Tim Grant and Josh Starling, the Butchers are being guided by completely rebuilt spine in 2021 following a host of major departures.

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It's seen Crosland, a mainstay in the outside backs, shifting to the halves to partner standout rookie Tarje Whitford. Crosland admits its a work in progress, but feels his side is starting to click with the footy.

"The more we play the more comfortable we'll get," Crosland said.

"Tarje is really good, he definitely has a crack and gives a hundred per cent all the time. Off the field he's pretty quiet but he's definitely not quiet on the field. We just need to play a few more games together and get used to how we play. It's the same with everyone around us, they need to get used to us as well.

"It really helps me having Sirro [Damian Sironen] and Scotty Galeano running off me, they're definitely making my job a lot easier. Every game I play I'm getting a bit more comfortable there. Collies was our best defensive performance, attacking-wise it'll come."

Consecutive wins against two of their 'big three' rivals would go a long way to securing a top-two spot come the end of the season, but Crosland is expecting the Devils to come with the same mindset.

"We focus on each game each week, we're not thinking too far ahead," Crosland said.

"It is a short season so you want to make sure you're building each week so you are in fine form when you get to the finals. This week's really important for us.

"As much as teams like to come and knock us off at home we love playing at home, especially against Wests. Both sides will be really pumped up and it'll be a really good game.

"They fall into shape really well and they do like to throw the ball around. In that game against Collies everything was working for them. We do a fair bit of watching them and how they play so we should be ready for them."

Elsewhere, Corrimal will head to Dapto Showground where they can go a long way to sealing a finals berth with a victory, while the Canaries will be fighting to keep their post-season prospects alive.