Who are the Harold Matthews and SG Ball players to watch as NRL stars of the future
The summer holidays are almost over and these schoolboy prodigies are ready to make their mark in rugby league. Former NSW prop Mark O’Meley identifies the players to watch in 2020.
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A blockbusting centre from Canterbury, a schoolboy sprint star from Manly, a former touch footy player with dancing feet from the Central Coast Roosters, and a tearaway prop in Canberra.
These are just some of the hottest young talents on a path to NRL stardom about to do battle in the coveted Harold Matthews Cup (under-16s) and SG Ball (under-18s) competitions which kick off on February 8.
Former Canterbury, NSW and Australian prop-turned Blues under-20s coach Mark O’Meley keeps a close eye on the next big things and has put a list together for The Daily Telegraph of the players to watch in both competitions.
SG BALL
Samuel Loizou (Parramatta)
Loizou is a centre who possesses plenty of speed and strike.
The Beaumont Hills junior was the youngest player in the SG Ball Cup competition last season. After a standout 2019 for Parramatta, Sam claimed the team’s best and fairest award before being selected in the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges squad for the Australian Schoolboy Championships. Another impressive showing then saw him earn a spot as the youngest player in the 2019 Australian Schoolboys side.
Sean Russell (Parramatta)
Slippery Eel Russell is another classy outside back who knows how to find the try line while he is solid in defence. This rising Parramatta youngster’s greatest strength is his fleet-footed skills as shown when he scored a cracking try in the Harold Matthews ranks against Cronulla last season. Russell put on two right foot steps and a left before darting away to score.
Trent Borthwick (Penrith)
A stocky hooker with bucket loads of speed and potential.
This Emu Plains junior is expected to play a key role in Penrith’s SG Ball side this season. Borthwick is also a clever ball distributor from dummy half, highlighted by his vision for the Panthers and the youngster looks set for a big future.
Kaeo Weekes (Manly)
This former star schoolboy sprinter has enjoyed an accelerated rise in rugby league.
Weekes had his first taste of junior representative league with the Sea Eagles in 2017 – and he hasn’t looked back.
Despite playing a year earlier than many of his teammates and opposition, he scored 11 tries — equal third-most in the competition.
Weekes has gone onto represent NSW under 16s and 18s, so he will be a key figure in Manly’s SG Ball side this season after being named co-captain.
Trey Mooney (Canberra)
Veteran recruitment officer Peter Mulholland pulled off a major coup when he managed to lure gun backrower/prop Trey Mooney from Parramatta to Canberra.
Mooney excelled in the Eels’ junior ranks, paving the way for him to represent his state and country. NSW under 18s coach Michael Ennis spoke highly of Mooney’s leadership qualities and potential.
“He’s another one of the boys who are in this side but are a year young but he's been so dominant at the SG Ball level,” Ennis said.
“He's a real leader and can play in the middle or the edge off the bench. He is a great athlete who is powerful.”
Billy Burke (Cronulla)
A powerful prop that can also ball play at lock, Billy Burke is a throwback to the old days.
Tough, strong and determined, Burke is a coach’s dream because he will never stop working.
He jointly won Cronulla’s Harold Matthews Player of the Year in 2018 while he has been on the radar of representative football for some time now.
HAROLD MATTHEWS
Ben Dufficy (Central Coast Roosters)
He is a standout outside back that is blessed with speed and an impressive step, largely due to his background in touch football.
Dufficy helped the NSW All Schools team claim the Under 15 touch football championships last year, defeating Queensland in the final.
Despite this success in touch, he is fully focused on his rugby league career.
Dufficy will play an important role in the Roosters’ Harold Matthews side this season.
The team is coached by Steve Deakin and is tipped to have a big year.
“This age group is one of the strongest we’ve had come through in years,” Roosters operations manager Terry Rule said.
Samuela Fainu (Manly)
Just like his older brother, Manly’s NRL hooker Manase Fainu, Samuela is a hooker with plenty of promise and potential.
He has been named vice-captain of the Sea Eagles’ Harold Matthews team this season.
The extra leadership responsibility should help Samuela take his game to the next level after starting most of last year on the bench.
Paul Alamoti (Canterbury)
Get excited long-suffering Canterbury fans, this kid can play.
Built in the same mould as Matt Utai but with the strength of Sonny Bill Williams, Alamoti is an explosive centre that dominated the Harold Matthews ranks last season.
He regularly ran over opponents with his raw strength to help the Bulldogs progress to the grand final before losing to Newcastle.
Alamoti was rewarded with selection in the Harold Matthews representative team.
Myles Martin (Parramatta)
This Bathurst junior is one of the best young forwards in the game.
Myles Martin spent most of last season travelling to Sydney from the bush to play for Parramatta’s Harold Matthews side.
The Eels narrowly missed out on the top eight but Martin impressed with his defence and ability to make metres.
The former Bathurst St Pat’s junior also earned selection in the Australian merit side last year after a man-of-the-match performance for NSW Combined Catholic Colleges in their Australian National Schoolboys final win.
As a junior with St Pat’s he won five premierships while he represented Group 10 and the Western Rams.
Ethan Sanders (Parramatta)
Saunders is a smart and skilful halfback who claimed the Andrew Johns Cup (under 16s) best and fairest award for Parramatta last season.
The Hills Bulls junior also has the ability to play elsewhere in the backline if called upon.
Taj Blackman (Newcastle)
The Valentine Devils junior played every game for the Knights last season on their charge to the Harold Matthews premiership.
Blackman’s idol is retired Melbourne and Sydney Roosters halfback Cooper Cronk.
Watch for him to take his game to another level following his title-winning success last year.
Originally published as Who are the Harold Matthews and SG Ball players to watch as NRL stars of the future