Jack O’Connor planting the ball down during the 2020 Grand Final against Young.
The Harden Red Devils have stormed into the 2025 Central West South West Rugby season with a powerful 6-1 record, establishing themselves as one of the top teams in the competition. As they prepare to face the Cootamundra Tri Colours this week end in a return match that kicks off the second half of the season, head coach Jack Alcorn says the team is pleased with their progress but far from complacent.
“Really good,” Alcorn said when asked about how the first half of the season has gone.
“We’ve come a long way, and we’ve still got a few things we’re working on in terms of structure and how we want to play our style of footy. But from where we started to where we are now definitely happy.”
The Red Devils have shown impressive consistency, notching up wins against both top and bottom-tier teams. However, Alcorn knows all too well how unpredictable the competition can be, with strong depth across the board making every week a challenge.
“There’s good depth in the whole competition this year,” he explained.
“Even West Wyalong, who are second last, gave Boorowa a really tight game recently. We’ve had a few close ones too. So you’ve got to show up and give your best every single week. If you switch off for even 10 minutes, teams will punish you. It’s an exciting time to be a part of the comp.”
As the Devils enter the second round of matches, their eyes are firmly set on finals and possibly even a shot at the title.
“We’re definitely in premiership contention at the moment,” Alcorn said.
“We want to stay in the top two. If we can keep ourselves there, we’ll be in a good position come finals time. We haven’t been in a grand final for four years and this year we want to change that.”
This Saturday, the Red Devils face the Tri Colours, a team that has been steadily improving and is known for its physicality and depth. Alcorn knows his team can’t afford to underestimate them.
“Coota is always tough,” he said. “They’ve got size, they’ve got numbers, and they’re building a solid side. But I think our fitness is something that gives us an edge. It’s going to come down to who wants it more. If we play a solid 80 minutes and keep our intensity up, I’m confident our boys can get the job done.”
With strong momentum, growing community support, and a squad focused on fine-tuning their game, the Harden Red Devils are shaping up to be serious contenders this season. As the competition heats up, fans can look forward to more thrilling rugby and hopefully, a long-awaited grand final appearance for the Devils.
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