Former NRL player Steven Marsters eyeing maiden Illawarra Cup title with boyhood club

He’s experienced the highs of playing NRL and World Cup footy. Now Steven Marsters is committed to achieving Illawarra Cup glory with his boyhood club the Thirroul Butchers.

Steven Marsters of Thirroul

Former NRL player Steven Marsters has achieved a lot in his career at the age of 23, from scoring on debut for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2020, to representing the Cook Islands at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup.

Now, the wrecking ball centre is solely focused on securing Illawarra Cup glory with the Thirroul Butchers, having made the return to his junior club in 2022.

“I’m lucky enough to have already accomplished a lot of the goals I want to hit,” Marsters said.

“This year, the majority of my goals are to just play good footy with the boys.

“It’s about getting us boys into a good rhythm and coming out at the end of the year with a trophy in our hands.”

Steven Marsters in action for Thirroul Butchers. Picture: Denis Ivaneza

The Butchers have been without a premiership since 2014, despite being minor premiers in the last two seasons.

Marsters, cousin to another former NRL player in Esan Marsters, re-signed for the club in 2022 after his release from the Rabbitohs in 2021, having made just six NRL appearances.

Since his return, the six foot powerhouse has been destructive from centre and has been a shining light in Thirroul’s turn of form in recent weeks after a slow start to the season.

Steven Marsters playing for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2020. Picture: NRL Imagery

“The competition has gotten a lot tougher this year,” Marsters said.

“There are a number of players coming back from the NRL, it’s shown in teams like Dapto who are putting points on the board against the top teams, whereas last year it was kind of the opposite and it was just the top teams dominating every game.”

Marsters refers to the likes of Brad Takairangi, Pita Godinet, Aaron Gray, Sosaia Feki and Bradley Deitz, all ex-NRL players like Marsters who have bolstered the depth and quality of the Illawarra Cup competition this year.

Steven Marsters representing the Cook Island at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup. (Photo by Pat Elmont/Getty Images for Rugby League World Cup)

The Butchers lost three of their opening four games of the 2023 season, but have since then put three wins on the trot and sit in fourth on the Illawarra Cup ladder.

Marsters has crossed the white line three times so far and provided a handful of assists to fullback Wayne Bremner and his wing partner Joshua Martin, who together with Marsters has created a deadly right edge for the Butchers.

“I think Josh has been hogging the spotlight off a lot of the boys,” Marsters joked about his no. 2.

“Seriously though, he’s been a great winger for me. When I get tired he goes in for me, and same goes the other way.”

Martin leads the Thirroul try scoring tally with seven, joint second highest in the league.

“I think it was good that he went to England and experienced more footy over there, it’s a different playing style and now he has that experience.

“I think him under the highballs is going to worry a lot of teams this year.”

A humble bloke despite his early career success, Marsters is happy with how he has started the 2023 campaign in the blue and white of Thirroul, putting it down to his body transition that he has worked hard on.

Steven Marsters of Thirroul Butchers. Picture: Denis Ivaneza

“I’m happy where I’m at now, I think it’s just based on the amount of weight I’ve lost, it’s been a better thing for me,” Marsters said.

“My mindset has changed to be a whole lot more focused on my weight and I’m feeling good.

“There’s still room for improvement for me.

“When I was younger I thought I would be scoring more tries than I have been, but that’s OK.”

Marsters and his Butchers boys face a mighty test at the hands of the defending premiers Collegians this weekend at Thomas Gibson Park, 3pm Saturday, having lost to them in their first 2023 meeting in round three.