Stars of the Souths Juniors comp on show as we rate the 30 players to watch in the finals
A thrilling Souths Juniors season reaches its climax with the finals series getting underway this weekend. We look at 30 players to watch across A-grade and reserves who are set to lead their teams to glory.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
After 15 rounds the Souths Juniors seniors are set for their finals series to get underway.
10 teams will line up across the A-grade and reserve grade divisions with pride and history on the line.
To celebrate the start of the finals, we look at the 30 players to watch from all teams across the two divisions.
MATRAVILLE TIGERS
TRISTAN ALVARADO
The 26-year-old is one of the most credentialed players in the competition with NSW Cup stints at both the Dragons and the Rabbitohs.
When he’s been at Matraville he’s been a damaging player and has been rewarded with five games of state cup action.
MICHAEL MITSIAS
Earned a shot at Jersey Flegg level and has looked every bit the star player in his recent outings to finish off the regular season.
A fullback who can cover multiple positions in the backline, Mitsias adds plenty of attacking spark to an already lethal side.
EVANDA MOALE
The older brother of Rabbitohs enforcer Davvy, Evanda has owned his place in a very strong forward pack.
Bringing size and brute force, Moale has been a crucial part of the side and Matraville’s success in securing the minor premiership.
REDFERN ALL BLACKS
KAREEL PHILLIPS
Any team with Kareel Phillips in a big game is a good chance of winning.
We’ve seen him step up time and time again when the pressure is on, including claiming man of the match honours in last year’s grand final with Matraville.
Classy half who can turn the game in a handful of plays.
DEAN WIDDERS JNR
The son of the former NRL great and current Eels NRLW coach, Dean Widders Jnr has been one of Redfern’s most consistent performers throughout the season.
Crafty out of dummy half and picks the right times to take on the defence, he has kept things tight in the middle.
JAY BELGROVE
We’ve seen some versatility from Belgrove this season in terms of positions, but his strength and elusiveness has him best on an edge.
Another that has been consistent for RAB and has a few meat pies to show for it. An experienced leader for the young players.
JEDD WINDLE
Another flyer the All Blacks have secured, Windle is a young gun who has previously played with the Northern Rivers Titans at junior reps level.
Can slot in anywhere in the outside backs and prove a menace for those marking him, with a good step and read of the game.
BAILEY SCHOLES
Progressive player who came to Redfern after the Rabbitohs SG Ball season and has looked good wherever he has played.
Best suited at fullback to allow him room to move. Enjoyed a taste of A-grade and is a key man for the reserves now.
MATTHEW GORDON
Been a good player in the Souths Juniors for a while now, coming up through the ranks with the Rovers and now with RAB.
When lining up in the halves he can be unstoppable on his day, but fit enough to do a job on an edge if required.
LA PEROUSE PANTHERS
CHE HYSLOP
The Panthers captain has enjoyed a really strong season, leading the team to a top-three finish and playing some good football in the process.
A former junior pathways player with South Sydney, the hard-running back rower is known for causing headaches for opposing men.
JAMIE INGRAM
A veteran player of the competition but still offers so much to La Perouse.
Ingram is a classy fullback who picks his moments to perfection.
Another ex-pathways player who we’ve seen at Ron Massey Cup level before, Ingram is an invaluable locker room presence for a side looking to go all the way.
BRAYDEN IRONS
Really gone to another level this season, locking down a spot as a starting front rower and holding it down in the middle.
Tenacious, hard working and strong defensively, Irons finds another gear when putting on the black and white.
OLIVER JURAS
A nice pick-up from La Perouse after Juras enjoyed a strong junior reps career with the Central Coast Roosters and Rabbitohs.
Has represented the Country U18s and given the Panthers a fresh face in the halves who controls the game very well.
MATTHEW NEWMAN
Got through a mountain of football this year for La Perouse with stints in both A-grade and reserves.
A livewire player who has great utility value in the backs, plays without fear and has been rewarded with some great opportunities.
BEAU-JOSH LYONS
We’ve seen him in both grades throughout the year and hasn’t put a foot wrong throughout, doing whatever job is asked of him.
Capable in both the centres and the back row, adds a lot to the team and knows how to get his way across the tryline as well.
SOUTH EASTERN SEAGULLS
BAYLEIGH BENTLEY-HAPE
Has had a taste of NSW Cup this season with the Rabbitohs and that will only fuel his fire to keep pushing.
Played in a handful of positions including five-eighth and fullback, but has been strong in the centres to finish off the regular season.
ANDRES ROSSINI
Suffered a setback in the opening round of the season but hasn’t missed a beat since coming back from an arm injury.
An uncompromising back rower who has added a lot to the Seagulls on an edge. Solid as a rock in defence.
AARON KURNOTH
Another Seagull who has spent time in a different red and green jersey, with the Rabbitohs in Jersey Flegg.
Your prototypical organising half with enough flair to ask plenty of questions of the defence. Adds another dimension to South Eastern.
COOPER MCGRATH
A five-eighth who wears his heart on his sleeve and gives everything in order to get his side over the line.
Knows when to take on the line and when to feed his outside men after being named in the Rabbitohs SG Ball squad earlier this year.
TYRESE TUWAIRUA-BROWN
Will start at the back for the South Eastern side and offer plenty as one of their team’s genuine attacking weapons.
Has been called on regularly in both grades, scoring a heap of tries for the year and proving hard to stop when finding any bit of open play.
DAMON ALLEY-TOVIO
The former first grader with the Rabbitohs has given back to the Seagulls in a big way as a player-coach this season.
Gives the side plenty of experience, particularly with a young halves pairing and captain leading the charge. A big reason for their top form.
COOGEE DOLPHINS
KURT LOVETT
Hailing from Parkes and is the brother of Rabbitohs NRL debutant Ben.
Looked good at the back for the Dolphins this season, making him a dual-sport force after representing Australia in hockey.
Added a lot to the side over the back end and shapes as a real force in the finals.
CAMERON LONGHURST
Adds X-factor to Coogee as a classy five-eighth who can also fill in out wide if needed in the centres.
Has a good kicking game and gels perfectly with experienced halfback Mark Daoud to give the side plenty of stability.
JOSHUA RUDOLPH
Rudolph shapes up as a versatile front rower who has a big engine and can get through plenty of work when needed.
Previous experience at higher levels will prove invaluable for Rudolph as he will look to lay a platform from the opening whistle.
ALEXANDRIA ROVERS
JAYDEN RILEY
Been a prolific tryscorer for the Alexandria Rovers this season with 11 meat pies and setting up a few more himself.
Can play just about anywhere and brings plenty of attacking punch when coming off the interchange bench.
JAKE TRINDALL
The son of former Rabbitohs icon Darrell, Jake himself brings plenty of A-grade experience including in the BRL.
Has looked good since joining the Rovers this season, has taken on the line with authority and adds a point of difference to their attack.
JYI SEYMOUR
Can lay claim to being one of the best front rowers in the reserve grade competition since rejoining his junior club.
Doesn’t know where the handbrake is, always charges 100 miles an hour at the line and leaves it all out on the field.
MASCOT JETS
RABIEH EL-ZBAIDIEH
We’ve seen him in Canberra and at the Ron Massey Cup level before, invaluable experience as Mascot looks to keep its season alive.
Can cover a few positions but has been named in the halves and will form a solid partnership with Hendrix Folau. A jet if he gets into open space.
SHANE TOMOKINO
After coming through the Roosters junior pathways and going on to play Sydney Shield, Tomokino has had a big impact for Mascot in 2023.
A big front rower who refuses to take a backwards step, will get his side on the front foot and allow his halves a platform to work from.
HENDRIX FOLAU
A Niue international representative who has had a taste of both A-grade and reserve grade for the Jets this season.
Adds a calming influence to the side, highly skilled and has a strong boot that is capable of getting his team out of trouble.
More Coverage
Originally published as Stars of the Souths Juniors comp on show as we rate the 30 players to watch in the finals
Golden opportunity! First look at teen rugby players touted as future Wallabies
They have been rivals some days, teammates on others and now this close-knit group of young rugby players will share the honour of wearing an Australian uniform for the first time.
AFL’s big fixture move in $4.5bn TV deal
After experimenting in recent years, the AFL will make a permanent change to the fixture as part of a massive new TV deal.