Central Coast Rugby League: The junior rep stars lighting up the competition
They are try-scoring machines, livewire playmakers and bustling props. We’ve taken a look at the junior rep stars impressing in the Central Coast Rugby League competition.
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With NSWRL junior representative competitions finishing up at the end of April, a strong contingent of junior rep players has since made its way back into the local Central Coast competition.
And with most clubs suffering injuries and other absences around the halfway point of the season, some of these young guns have been a blessing to help bolster the stocks.
As the competition starts to head towards the finals, we’ve taken a look at some of the junior rep stars who have made an impact in the first grade competition so far this season.
Riley Burke – Erina/Central Coast Roosters
The winger for the Central Coast Roosters’ Laurie Daley Cup side (under-18s) has perhaps gained the most headlines so far this season for his incredible tryscoring efforts for the Eagles.
Since making his debut against defending premiers Toukley in round two, Burke has crossed the stripe 12 times in eight games, including an incredible four-try haul against Berkeley Vale in round seven, which he backed up one week later with a hat-trick against Kincumber.
“He’s got a very good football sense and knows when a try’s about to be scored,” said Erina coach Dane Allen. “He seems to put himself in very good positions and is one of those young guys where the bounce of the ball seems to find him. But the kid is a freak, he’s a great talent and we’re very lucky to have him on our side.”
Emmet Nicholls – Erina/North Sydney Bears
The backrower made his first grade debut for the Eagles in round three against Woy Woy after finishing the junior rep season with the North Sydney Bears in the SG Ball Cup (under-19s).
Nicholls has since featured in five first grade games for Erina, playing a key role in the forwards as the club battled a significant injury crisis.
Tom Peters – Erina/North Sydney Bears
It has been a similar story for Nicholls’ North Sydney teammate Peters, who made his first grade debut for Erina just one week after the backrower, in round four against The Entrance.
The utility, who has mainly come off the bench for the Eagles in a number 14 role, hasn’t missed a game since, proving to be a handy addition to the team as they battle it out with Toukley at the top of the table.
“They’ve been great for us,” Allen said of both Nicholls and Peters. “A new bit of energy and a bit of youth never goes astray.”
Jackson Pennell – Erina/Central Coast Roosters
Capping of the Eagles’ excellent crop of young players is second rower Jackson Pennell, who has broken into Erina’s first grade side after an excellent rep season with the Central Coast Roosters for which he was named the club’s best forward in the Laurie Daley Cup.
After making his top grade debut against Kincumber in round eight, the backrower had a taste of how intense A-grade footy can be by starting in the Eagles’ clash with last year’s premiers Toukley in round nine.
Haydan Ritchie – The Entrance/Sydney Roosters
While some may have grabbed more headlines, few of the returning junior reps are likely to have taken on as much responsibility as the young Tigers halfback.
After taking the Sydney Roosters’ SG Ball team to the first week of the finals, Ritchie has been excellent in his return to The Entrance, helping to guide the team to a strong run of form.
“He’s only a few games in but has looked good and really sharp, and has plenty of confidence for a young kid coming into a side part way through the year,” said The Entrance coach Kyle Whiteford.
He has been so impressive that he even made his debut for the club’s Denton Cup side over the recent bye weekend, earning the praise of coach Jamy Forbes for his performance as the Tigers defeated last year’s grand finalists Macquarie 20-4.
Zac Gillett – Wyong/Central Coast Roosters
We might only just be over halfway through the season, but it has already been an excellent one for the young hooker who was a standout for the Central Coast Roosters in the team’s Laurie Daley Cup campaign.
Not only did Gillett claim the team’s players’ player and best and fairest awards, but he was also named the overall Player of the Year across the club’s three junior rep sides, which includes the Andrew Johns (under-16s), Harold-Matthews (under-17s) and Laurie Daley Cup teams.
Gillett was selected for the NSW Country under-18s side that took on City in May, while he also made his first grade debut for Wyong in its round six clash with Berkeley Vale – and has managed to hold his position in the top 17 ever since.
“You just see the enthusiasm and desire when they put the jersey on, how much it means,” said Wyong captain-coach Todd Lewis. “Making the phone call to Zac Gillett is one of the most rewarding things I’ve done.”
Cooper Bigeni – Wyong/Newcastle Knights
Another one of Wyong’s talented young guns is Cooper Bigeni, who played a key part in the Newcastle Knights’ run to the grand final in the SG Ball competition.
Since returning to local football, the backrower has been in high demand, lining up for the Roos in both the Central Coast A-grade and Denton Cup competitions, and is looming as a key player for the back end of the season.
Riley Watson-Miletic – Berkeley Vale/Central Coast Roosters
The young forward has been a bright spark for the Panthers in what has been another tough season for the club.
And while the results may not have always gone their way, there have been plenty of improvements in Berkeley Vale’s performances, with the forward adding a spark to the side.
“When Riley comes on at lock he gives us a point of difference with his ball-playing,” said captain-coach Michael Sullivan.
Jet Hassett – Berkeley Vale/North Sydney Bears
After making his first grade debut last season, the young outside back – who was part of the North Sydney Bears’ SG Ball squad – has featured in six A-grade fixtures so far in 2023.
And while it has at times been somewhat of a baptism of fire for the young Panthers side, Hassett will be hoping to continue his development in the seniors throughout the back end of the season.
Aymn Hamilton – Terrigal/Central Coast Roosters
Another one of the finds of the season has been Terrigal outside back Aymn Hamilton, who has been outstanding for the Sharks during his time in the top grade.
After claiming the award of best back for the Central Coast Roosters in the Daley Cup, the 18-year-old made his first grade debut at centre in round two against Kincumber.
Injuries in the team saw Hamilton move to fullback, where he continued to excel before unfortunately falling to injury himself – but not before impressing plenty of people with his performances.
“He’s handled everything that’s been thrown at him, which for an 18-year-old is pretty impressive,” said captain-coach Dylan McKeown after the team’s 12-all draw with The Entrance in round five.
“He’s getting used to versing men. He said it’s a lot different, his body is a lot sorer, but he hasn’t shied away at all.”
Will Hodder – Kincumber/Central Coast Roosters
One of a slew of junior rep players to have received plenty of game time in Kincumber’s youthful first grade side this season, Hodder has well and truly stepped up to the grade with some excellent performances in the back row for the Colts.
His impressive displays come on the back of an eye-catching season in the middle for the Central Coast Roosters in the Laurie Daley Cup, with the young forward picking up the coach’s award for his efforts throughout the campaign.
Kieran Diamond – Kincumber/Central Coast Roosters
One of Hodder’s teammates at both rep and club level, young half Kieran Diamond is another young Colt to have shown real promise so far this season.
Despite taking on plenty of responsibility by playing in the number seven jersey in a young team at the wrong end of the table, Diamond has shown plenty of promise with his performances and looms as an exciting prospect for the future.
Zack Visconti – Kincumber/Sydney Roosters
Another one of the Colts’ excellent young crop of players is front rower Zack Visconti.
A key member of the Sydney Roosters’ SG Ball side that made it to the first week of the finals, Visconti stepped up to the open age divisions by making his first grade debut in the Colts’ round five victory over Woy Woy.
On the back of a strong season to date, he will be hoping to make an impact for the Colts towards the back end of the year.
Have we missed anyone? Let us know in the comments.
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