The two times before that, as well, for that matter.

"It was a [second grade] semi-final and I got sent for drilling their captain," said Corcoran, who spent three seasons at Randwick before moving to Gosford last year. "I tackled him as he passed the ball and the ref didn't like it.

"The [Randwick-Easts] derby was the highlight of the year. The battle of the east was another level of footy. Everyone fronted up for it. There was blood ... the three times I have played Easts, I have been sent off."

Corcoran, 23, intends to bring some aggression, albeit controlled, when he makes his run-on debut for the Wildfires against Easts at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday.

"I have always played a bit of an enforcer role," Corcoran said. "I want to carry the ball strong, win my lineouts, make my tackles and pull off a couple of hits, if I can. I like putting a hit on to pick the boys up. That's what I have tried to do coming off the bench - make a big carry, a big hit or win a turnover. Something to change momentum."

Corcoran comes in for Ben Ham in one of two changes to the pack. Jeremy Burrill, a 200cm lock from Melbourne, has also been promoted in place of Adam Edwards.

"Adsy and Hammy will play off the bench," Coleman said. "There are no problems with their form. It's more so to fresh them up."

Corcoran, from Cowra, had two years in the NSW Waratahs academy (2017-18) before a six-month stint in England at London Scottish.

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He had a season in grade at Randwick before moving to Gosford and joining the Red Devils.

"I wanted to get out of the city," Corcoran said. "Gosford hit me up to play with them. They finished last the season before and we made it to the grand final. I was selected in the Country team at the end of the year and that's when I decided to switch back on. I was up towards 140kg and so unfit but was still able to mix-it. I could carry the weight but I wasn't happy. I thought I should give it another crack. I lost 25 kilos and committed to the Wildfires. I really wanted to give it a red-hot go."

Corcoran is a truck driver and commutes to Sydney daily, before jumping in his car at 4pm and travelling to Newcastle for Wildfires training.

"I finish work, go home, get changed, grab my boots and am straight in the car," he said. "I leave for training at 4pm and get home at 10pm. It makes for a long day, but I'm enjoying it. The boys are great. I had played with Phil Bradford, Purnell Filipo and Taulogo Lalaga. The first weekend up here we went out and went way too hard. It was one of the best nights I have had in a long time."

Coleman said Corcoran's selection was reward for hard work.

"He still has a lot to learn, but he is a big frame, very aggressive and puts his body on the line," the coach said.

The Wildfires have drawn one and lost five from the opening six games. They have been in games for large periods and battled hard.

"I can't fault their commitment," Coleman said. "We compete hard, but we aren't just happy to compete anymore. We are here to win. That comes with better execution. At this level, that is the biggest thing.

"We can't slow things down because we will run into a brick wall if we allow the defence to get set. We have to play at a fast tempo, but be controlled. Not push the pass and throw the 50-50. Hang on to it and recycle.

"Those fundamental skills - catching and passing at pace, cleaning out effectively at the breakdown - are normally done in preseason. We have missed that."

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