Macarthur Rugby League: Refs big statement before finals, round 16 talking points

Nasty words and 10 raised fingers are an unhealthy mix heading into the Macarthur Rugby League finals, while a couple of big names made a timely return. Round 16 talking points.

Macarthur Rugby League, round 16, 2023.

There’s lots to talk about both on and off the field in what has been a crazy week in the Macarthur Rugby League. So let's get started, round 16 talking points.

COSTLY SPRAY, TIMELY FINALS REMINDER

East Campbelltown’s unfortunate meltdown at Thirlmere is as a timely reminder that the referees won’t be dictated to during this season’s finals.

With little separating the top five sides on their day, discipline could ultimately decide who hoists the cup.

Leading by 10 in the shadows of full-time, the Eagles had no right to lose until Abiarthur Tuilaepa’s untimely spray. With his sin-binning the mood changed in a heartbeat, in a warning to the other sides still in contention.

Centre Abiarthur Tuilaepa had an unfortunate afternoon at Thirlmere . (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Newscorp)

‘STOLEN’ GEAR RETURNED

Our story last week on the ‘stolen’ goods from Waminda Oval eventually had a happy ending.

With East Campbelltown’s famous game-day van and trailer impounded, there were fears the club would have to cough-up its own funds for their return.

In a change of heart last Friday, Campbelltown City Council made an about face and organised the delivery of both items back to the club unharmed.

TIMMER’S RAPID FOUR

Heading into last Saturday night's contest at Narellan, pint-sized Tigers winger Casey Timmer had five tries for the season.

That all changed in 25 stunning minutes. From the 18th minute until the 43rd, the whippet in headgear crossed the stripe on an unbelievable four occasions.

For skipper Mitchell Brasington, the blitz was all too much.

“I didn't know he’d scored four until the end of the game.”

WILLIS RETURNS IN REGGIES

After time away, Rams playmaker Jackson Willis returned to the field last week in reserve grade.

Even though Camden haven’t skipped a beat in his six-game absence, they’ll be sweating on his fitness and availability for the finals.

With veteran Chris Browne doing a stellar job at No.6, Willis – a noted big-game player – might have to earn his stripes from the bench.

Jackson Willis was among the competition’s best performers in the early rounds. Picture Steve Montgomery

JETS SELF DESTRUCT

Narellan’s 54-point capitulation to The Oaks owes itself to a horror five-minute opening.

After halfback Kayne Mave burst through the Tigers line in the first set, the Jets were then quickly penalised for back-to-back high tackles. Shortly after another high shot in the fifth minute, The Oaks jumped 12 clear and never looked back.

With more discipline and composure next season, the Jets have enough talent to be a finals contender.

LATIMORE JOINS LIONS PACK

Mittagong haven’t been short upfront all season. With the likes of Keiran Rankmore, Ben Arandt and Liam Cassidy leading the charge, the Lions have held there own all year.

Now with NRL journeyman Jeremy Latimore returning for a third campaign, their title stocks have lifted another notch.

MUST WIN DERBY CLASH

“It was one of the best derby games I have been involved in,” said Oakdale captain Kyle Fraser after his side’s round six 48-34 win over The Oaks.

Now it’s on off again. This time all roads lead to The Oaks on Saturday where the winner should lock down fourth spot.

The Oaks have been battling for a share of fifth spot for weeks. But with a superior differential, victory over their cross-town rival will see them leapfrog the Workers into fourth place.

COLLIES WOMEN SUFFER FIRST DEFEAT

In the Open Age Women’s, Campbelltown Collegians suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of Camden.

Last year’s grand finalists have been difficult to separate all season. Collies prevailed 8-4 in round five, while the Rams turned the tables at Bradbury Oval last Sunday, winning 20-16.

In what shapes as an enthralling finals series, third placed Narellan offer plenty of cheek and have already had the better of Camden once this season.

Camden centre Maleah Mayol crossed for an important try against Collies. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography.

ROUND 17 DRAW

The Oaks v Oakdale at Dudley Chesham (Saturday, 4:30pm)

Campbelltown Collegians v Thirlmere at Bradbury Oval

Campbelltown City v Camden at Fullwood Reserve

South West v Narellan at Onslow Oval

East Campbelltown v Mittagong at Waminda Oval

Bye: Picton

ROUND 16 WRAP

Round 16 of the Macarthur Rugby League featured a host of dramatic events both on and off the park.

Full around the grounds wrap.

TIGERS CRASH JETS PARTY

Narellan’s inaugural Indigenous and Women in League Round was a roaring success, but in a major spoiler The Oaks outclassed the Jets in the main game 58-4.

Two penalties for high tackles in the opening minutes set the Jets on the backfoot, and it was all Tigers half Daniel Payne needed to find backrower Andrew Madden cutting against the grain for the opening try.

Left edge second rower Ben Scambary then crashed over to make it 12-0 in the eighth minute before Payne continued to wreak havoc either side of the ruck.

The livewire threw the final pass for the first of Casey Timmer’s four tries as The Oaks exploded to a 34-0 lead at the break.

Payne grabbed a second half double as The Oaks went on with the job. Skipper Mitch Brasington finished with a personal haul of 22 points and was almost faultless with the boot, kicking nine from 10 attempts.

Captain Levi Dodd and fullback Faaletino Tavana had their moments for Narellan, but the opportunities were rare until winger Brooklyn Taumata crossed out wide in the final minute.

“I think The Oaks wanted it more. I just give full credit to the way they played, they outplayed and outsmarted us in every aspect,” said Dodd.

“It was a massive day, I‘m very grateful for everyone and the families. To see such a big crowd, I think that’s the culture we’re trying to build.”

Now in outright fifth, Brasington was pleased with his side’s performance.

“We started with plenty of intensity which was pleasing because we haven’t been able to put it together recently,” said Brasington.

“Once we got a couple of early tries that helped us get into the game and we were able to keep playing the way we wanted, which suited us.”

Half Daniel Payne was at his creative best against the Jets. Picture: Steve Montgomery

EAGLES IMPLODE

East Campbelltown headed to Thirlmere for a must win game, and despite doing enough to win two games, they instead left empty-handed following a heartbreaking 34-32 defeat.

Winger Josh Bryant struck first for Thirlmere before the Eagles applied the blowtorch. With doubles to Sean Connor and former Cronulla fullback Nathan Gardner, the Eagles were unstoppable as they raced in five tries to lead 28-6 at the break.

Thirlmere scored twice after halftime and edged to within six on the hour when Mitch New outpaced the field over 90m from the back of a scrum.

Mitch New’s pace kept Thirlmere in the contest. Picture: Steve Montgomery

The Eagles’ hopes of hanging onto fifth spot soared in the 70th minute when centre William Craig extended the lead to 32-22.

And with four minutes to play it was East Campbelltown’s to lose, and that’s exactly what they did.

With the Eagles in possession centre Abiarthur Tuilaepa was sent to the sin bin for verbal dissent. Roosters prop Kye Madden powered over in the next set, and from the restart Tim Simona rounded off a miraculous comeback when he dashed clear to plant the ball under the crossbar.

“It sums up our year to be honest,” said dejected Eagles coach Richard Barnes.

“There was no excuse, if Abiarthur doesn’t spray the ref we win, but we imploded. Now we need to rely on other results if we are to have any chance of making the finals.”

The narrow escape means Thirlmere are almost assured of a top three finish.

“There were a few colourful words at halftime,” said Thirlmere coach Darren McLeod. “We said that’s not the team we want to be and we now have a half to fix it.” 

FAST FINISHING RAMS

Camden all but secured the minor premiership after they edged out Oakdale 28-16 in a finals-like thriller at Sid Sharpe.

It was the Rams’ 10th win on the trot, but they were forced to dig deep against a determined Workers outfit who proved they’ll be no finals pushover.

The Rams headed to the sheds with a two-point buffer before Oakdale jumped clear 16-12 when Cleveland McGhie steamed onto a Kyle Fraser flick pass for his second try in the 60th minute.

And when Fraser split the Rams defence five minutes later, the home side looked headed for more points.

The points came, but in a cruel twist they appeared at the other end of the ground. After the ball popped free from Fraser’s grasp, Rams captain Brad Speechley not only cleaned up possession, he defied the chasers on a weaving 80m run to level the scores.

Rams skipper Brad Speechley in full flight against Collies earlier in the year – Oakdale couldn’t catch him either. Picture Steve Montgomery

Workhorse Danny Fualalo once again starred for the Rams, and the prop powered over twice in the dying stages to secure the victory.

“We’ve had a really good run but Oakdale were the only team we haven’t beaten, so we wanted to get one back,” said Speechley.

“We got up for the game but they more than matched us in the middle, they’re a big side.”

And on his match turning play, the Rams No.7 said he’d never run as far to score a try.

“The boys were giving it to me afterwards, saying their prop Michael Bullock pretty much had me covered and basically ran me down.”

PICTON GO FIVE STRAIGHT

Picton’s belated finals charge shows no signs of slowing down after the Magpies accounted for Campbelltown Collegians 52-28 in a Bradbury Oval try-fest.

Both sides started the day four points adrift of fifth place and needing a victory to keep their season alive.

After a few early hiccups, Picton eased to a fifth straight win scoring nine tries to five. Rua Hona crossed twice for the Magpies on an afternoon that featured 13 different try scorers.

MITTAGONG OUTCLASS CITY

Mittagong’s big names all had a day out in the Lions’ thumping 64-10 victory over Campbelltown City in the Southern Highlands.

Bryson Goodwin top scored with 28 points, and the former Rabbitoh was one of four Lions to bag doubles alongside James Coyne, Liam Cassidy and centre Liam Henry.

Former NRL backrower Jeremy Latimore returned to Mittagong and played his first match of the season from the bench.

Now fully stocked and likely to hold onto second spot, Mittagong could be timing their finals run to perfection.