ILLAWARRA South Coast captain Cooper Purcell has challenged the pack to match Monaro's grunt up front when they meet in the Country Rugby League championships final at Mudgee on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Dragons have piled on the points during the competition, thrashing Greater Southern 52-0 before dominating Riverina 52-10, then outclassing Northern Rivers 42-22 to make the final.
Purcell scored a try, while centres Donte Efaraimo and Michael Applebee and winger Jye Brooker each finished with a double against the Northern Rivers Titans in the semi-final.
However, the classy hooker said the battle through the middle will be crucial.
"We know they have a pretty big pack," he said.
"So it's a big challenge for us, but we're looking forward to it.
"We've played a bit together now and it's just sort of clicked for us, so we want to make the most of the chance we have."
The Wade Forrester coached Dragons side contains Shellharbour's Jye Brooker, Donte Efaraimo, Nic Greenhalgh, Juvilee Samiu, Wayde Aitken and Kade Sampson, Kiama's Cam Vazzoler, Luke Chalker and Tom Angel, Milton-Ulladulla's Tyler Clark and Nowra-Bomaderry's Tyson Simpson from Group Seven.
Queanbeyan second-rower and Monaro captain Josh Stuckey will be a handful for the Dragons, after scoring three tries in the 33-6 semi-final win over North Coast.
Meanwhile, Illawarra could complete a stunning double when the Dragons under 18s take on Western Rams in the Laurie Daley Cup final on Saturday.
Glen Buffolin's Dragons side is headlined by Group Seven's Kane Ball, Jay Weaver, Cooper Tunbridge (all Albion park-Oak Flats), Billy Hayburn, Charlie Parrish (both Berry-Shoalhaven Heads), Jordan Morn and William Webb (both Kiama).
CRL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Finals at Mudgee, Saturday
Under 23: ILLAWARRA-SOUTH COAST DRAGONS v MONARO COLTS (2.20pm)
Laurie Daley Cup (Under 18): ILLAWARRA-SOUTH COAST DRAGONS v WESTERN RAMS (11.30am)
