Pictures: Central Coast Roosters starting strong in SG Ball, Harold Matthews Cups

The hard work looks to be paying early dividends for the Central Coast Roosters SG Ball and Harold Matthews squads.

Central Coast Roosters players tackle a South Sydney player during their Harold Matthews rugby league match at Morry Breen Oval at Kanwal on Saturday. Picture: Troy Snook

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They have big shoes to fill after a record-breaking 2019 but the Central Coast Roosters junior representative rugby league sides have already been looking strong this pre-season.

Matt Russell (R) in action for Central Coast Roosters during their SG Ball rugby league match versus South Sydney at Morry Breen Oval at Kanwal. Picture: Troy Snook

The Roosters SG Ball Cup side fell one game short of a grand final berth last year, and coach Adam McEwen has remained with the side. He has assembled a strong squad who have put in dominant performances in trials before Christmas and in the new year, including against South Sydney at Kanwal on January 11.

Central Coast Roosters players tackle a South Sydney player during their Harold Matthews rugby league match at Morry Breen Oval at Kanwal on Saturday. Picture: Troy Snook

Bowen Foreshaw in action for Central Coast Roosters during their SG Ball rugby league match versus South Sydney at Morry Breen Oval at Kanwal on Saturday. Picture: Troy Snook

This year’s Roosters Harold Matthews Cup side 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.

Cade Mellon in action for Central Coast Roosters during their Harold Matthews rugby league match versus South Sydney at Morry Breen Oval at Kanwal on Saturday. Picture: Troy Snook

Cody Starr in action for Central Coast Roosters during their Harold Matthews rugby league match versus South Sydney at Morry Breen Oval at Kanwal on Saturday, 11 January, 2020. Picture: Troy Snook

In addition to teams in the SG Ball and Harold Matthews Cups, the Central Coast Roosters will field teams in the junior representative Laurie Daley and Andrew Johns Cups.

The Central Coast Roosters will also field a team in the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership.

Mason Stottelaar scores a try for Central Coast Roosters during their Harold Matthews rugby league match versus South Sydney at Morry Breen Oval at Kanwal on Saturday. Picture: Troy Snook

Benjamin Dufficy in action for Central Coast Roosters during their Harold Matthews rugby league match versus South Sydney at Morry Breen Oval at Kanwal on Saturday. Picture: Troy Snook

Central Coast Roosters player Ty Harris heads to the try line to score during their Harold Matthews rugby league match versus South Sydney at Morry Breen Oval at Kanwal on Saturday. Picture: Troy Snook

Ethan Strange scores a try for Central Coast Roosters during their Harold Matthews rugby league match versus South Sydney at Morry Breen Oval at Kanwal on Saturday, 11 January, 2020. Picture: Troy Snook