NRL Succession: Toby Rodwell and Tyson Walker heap pressure on Chad Townsend at Roosters

It has been over four weeks now since Trent Robinson’s handed the keys to his attack to veteran Chad Townsend. The results have been somewhat underwhelming so is it time to give one of these kids a turn?

A couple of baby Broncos, a returning Melbourne Storm gun and two Sydney Roosters whiz kids were some of the standouts in a big round of lower grade action across NSW and Queensland.

Read our wrap of lower grade action from NSW and Queensland to see who how the Generation Next at your club is travelling.

ROOSTERS GUNS OUTCLASS BULLDOGS

Halfback Toby Rodwell and five-eighth Tyson Walker continue to turn heads, this time at SG Ball (under-19s) level in a 36-4 demolition of Canterbury at Mascot Oval last Saturday (see the video above).

It has been over four weeks now since Trent Robinson’s experiment to hand the keys to his NRL team to veteran Chad Townsend who is struggling to make an impact at the top level filling in for Tyson Walker’s brother Sam Walker.

(L-R) Rookie Roosters halves Taylor Walker and Toby Rodwell.

Some may argue Rodwell and Walker are not ready to step up to first grade yet, but just 12-months-ago a “no-name” Lachlan Galvin was propelled into first grade, and is now being hyped as the NRL’s next $1 million man.

Walker’s ability to dig into the line and find space on the outside is bringing the Roosters a mountain of success which has them in the top four of the competition.

Rodwell, who has spent time across multiple Roosters grades already this year is putting his hand up to replace Townsend.

The 19-year-old Rodwell isn’t afraid to run the ball and it’s a matter of time until he earns higher honours.

Toby Rodwell playing in the NRL Pre-Season Challenge. Picture: NRL

FLEGG BIG BOPPER ALL ACTION

Former Bulldogs prop Fanafou Seve impressed in the Roosters’ Jersey Flegg (under-21s) loss to Canberra but his discipline came back to bite him and his team.

Seve was sin-binned for an extremely late hit in the dying minutes of the game, ending any chance of the Roosters winning the match.

Canberra's NSW Cup fullback Chevy Stewart. Picture: NRL

RAIDER KNOCKING ON THE DOOR

Canberra’s NSW Cup fullback Chevy Stewart continues to put his hand up for selection in the top grade as Kaeo Weekes struggles in the NRL.

Stewart is doing all he can to impress coach Ricky Stuart, racking up close to 200 running metres and a try in a 34-26 loss to the Roosters in Belconnen on Saturday.

PEZET FAILS TO SEE OUT RETURN MATCH

Melbourne’s Jonah Pezet made a winning return for North Sydney over St George Illawarra in NSW Cup on Saturday in his long-awaited comeback from an ACL rupture last year.

Pezet couldn’t finish the game after suffering a knee injury but Storm coach Craig Bellamy is hopeful the issue isn’t too serious.

FORMER EEL SHINES FOR PANTHERS

Blaize Talagi returned to NSW Cup on Saturday and his class was on show as the five-eighth steered the Panthers to a 26-22 win over South Sydney.

His X-factor jagged him a try early in the game, before being tested defensively and not missing a single tackle.

Broncos hooker Blake Mozer in action for Souths Logan. Picture: NRL

BABY BRONCOS ON DISPLAY

Fresh from re-signing with the Broncos, hooker Blake Mozer proved a handful in the Queensland Cup, scoring a try and jagging two try assists playing for Souths Logan Magpies.

Mozer came off the bench, making 17 tackles and causing a headache for the Sunshine Coast Falcons’ defensive line in the Magpies’ 42-18 win over the Storm feeder club which featured Melbourne’s Sua Faalogo playing fullback.

Outside of Mozer, prop Ben Te Kura, who is trying any way he can to squeeze into the star-studded Broncos forward pack, also played strongly for the Magpies, scoring a try and making four tackle breaks on Sunday.

Originally published as NRL Succession: Toby Rodwell and Tyson Walker heap pressure on Chad Townsend at Roosters