Every side previewed: Group 7 South Coast & Southern Highlands Rugby League 2023
The 2023 season of Group 7 Rugby League is a matter of weeks away from commencing. Check out the full preview of the year ahead and the players to watch with every side analysed.
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Group 7 Rugby League is a matter of weeks away from kicking off again.
10 teams are set to battle it out in the 110th year of rugby league on the south coast of NSW.
The 2022 competition was taken out by the Warilla-Lake South Gorillas, who won their ninth Group 7 Premiership after defeating the Gerringong Lions in the grand final back in September.
Ahead of the 2023 season commencing on March 25, NewsLocal has previewed every side competing this year.
Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles
Coach: Danial Gorrel & Jason Hooper
Captain: Josh Sainsbury
Home ground: Centenary Field
Players to watch: Josh Sainsbury is an Albion Park junior who returns to the side from Wests in the Mojo Homes Cup. The lock forward will take the captain‘s armband upon his return and lead the side in 2023. Kane Ball is another Albion Park junior who returns to the side from Cronulla. Described as “a bit of a freak”, he’s a fullback that can make magic happen and can also slot into the halves and centres if needed.
Surprise package: Buddy Brandick last played for the Eagles two seasons ago and is set to play a big role in 2023. The second-rower has been killing it in the trials and looks to have picked up where he left off.
Why they will be competitive: It has been a pretty gruelling pre-season for the Eagles, headlined by a brutal army boot camp in Kangaroo Valley. This has no doubt bonded the boys though who have been playing some good footy in the pre-season and in their trial games. Coach Hooper was a premiership winning coach in 2012, joining co-coach Gorrel with having their eyes firmly set on finals footy this season, with their boys sharing that mentality. It is the 100th year anniversary of the club, so no doubt they will be looking to make it memorable.
Last season: 7th
Opening three rounds: Stingrays of Shellharbour (H), Warilla-Lake South Gorillas (a), Jamberoo Superoos (a)
Group 7 Premierships: 13 – 1944, 1949, 1963, 1964, 1975, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Notable former players: Jason Hooper, Aaron Gorrell, Drew Hutchison
Berry Shoalhaven Heads Magpies
Coach: Lloyd Thomas
Captain: Lloyd Thomas
Home ground: Berry Showground
Players to watch: Halfback Billy Hayburn is set to be pivotal to his side’s quest to rise the ladder this season. A fit and energetic half who brings a lot to the side’s attack and is constantly going at “100 miles an hour” according to his coach. Rory McCall is another important player for the side due to his workrates. A big framed backrower who carries the ball hard and strong.
Surprise package: Acquired from the Gerringong Lions is Rhys Fagerlund who will play a utility role for the Magpies, with the ability to slot into hooker or lock with ease. The club see him as an important investment for the future.
Why they’ll be competitive: It’s the first year at the head of the table for playing captain/coach Lloyd Thomas who is impressed with how his side has shaped up over the pre-season. His side got a win in their first trial and have signed some good talent to bolster the starting squad and improve depth. Coach Lloyd doesn’t see semi final football as a far-stretched possibility for the side who finished at the bottom last year.
Last season: 10th
Opening three rounds: Gerringong Lions (a), Shellharbour Sharks (H), Warilla-Lake South Gorillas (a)
Group 7 Premierships: 12 – 1923, 1926, 1928, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1941, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1966, 1967
Gerringong Lions
Coach: Scott Stewart
Captain: Nathan Ford
Home ground: Michael Cronin Oval
Players to watch: Alexander Weir is a front rower who the club will be expecting big things out of this season. Seemingly getting better with age, he is a staple of the side. Hamish Holland is a player on the younger side with a lot of potential who will be invaluable to the side this year. A hard running centre who loves getting in the mix on attack and defence.
Surprise package: Coach Stewart identified a number of young players coming out of the 18s, as well as some who will be returning from the Illawarra South Coast Dragons, who will improve the depth of the side this season.
Why they will be competitive: The most successful side in the history of Group 7 rugby league. Pipped at the post last season having come first on the ladder but going down in the final, the Lions will be out for revenge this season. Stewart has been at the reins for three seasons now and has kept the core of his side who he considers highly competitive. They’ll be disappointed if they’re not at the top.
Last season: 1st on ladder, defeated in grand final
Opening three rounds: Shoalhaven Heads Magpies (H), Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs (a), Nowra-Bomaderry Jets (a)
Group 7 Premierships: 20 – 1914, 1918, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1924, 1940, 1956, 1960, 1965, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1990, 1994, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2020
Notable former players: Michael Cronin, Tariq Sims, Reuben Garrick
Jamberoo Superoos
Coach: Jono Dallas
Captain: Luke Asquith
Home ground: Kevin Walsh Oval
Players to watch: Nathan Gallestegui is an explosive fullback for the Superoos and will be looking to dominate this season. Starting his Superoos career on the wing, he moved to fullback and caught everyone off guard with just how elite he was in the role. On-field captain Luke Asquith is another to keep an eye on this year. A lock forward who has been deserving of more leadership and will step up into the captain’s role this year.
Surprise: In his first year at the club last year, Matt Forsyth was a bit of a utility, trying his hand at just about every position. He has had an impressive pre-season though and will be looking to cement a starting role in the centres.
Why they will be competitive: Coach Dallas said “If you’re not backing yourself you’re doing something wrong.” He expects his boys to be right up there again this year challenging for finals. He thinks if they sustain the high quality footy he knows they are capable of, then there’s no reason they can’t go further than their first round finals elimination from last season.
Last season: 3rd on ladder, eliminated in semi finals
Opening three rounds: Kiama Knights (a), Nowra-Bomaderry Jets (H), Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles (H)
Group 7 Premierships: 9 – 1915, 1927, 1931, 1932, 1951, 1958, 1961, 1974, 2017
Kiama Knights
Coach: Marc Laird
Captain: TBA
Home ground: Kiama Showground
Players to watch: Daniel Martin is a local junior who had a tough year last season with injuries, so will be looking to bounce back this season. A hooker who is a great leader among the boys, leading from the middle and providing great experience in the spine. Tyler Clark is another leader within the pack, having played in the 2019 Grand Final winning Knights. Clark is a front rower who has been looking fit and strong in the pre-season.
Surprise package: Kade Hotham is a young talent that the club sees potential in to develop. Currently a winger, but coach Laird thinks that with his skill and confidence he’ll move into a half or fullback role down the line.
Why they will be competitive: The Knights will be looking to be right up with the title challengers again this season. They’ve crucially worked on improving their squad depth which hurt them a little towards the tail end of last season. Coach Laird is determined to have his side competing high across all grades and working to develop the youth prospects within their ranks.
Last season: 5th on ladder, eliminated in first round of finals
Opening three rounds: Jamberoo Superoos (H), Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs (a), Shellharbour Sharks (H)
Group 7 Premierships: 12 – 1925, 1930, 1933, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1950, 1969, 1983, 1985, 2019
Notable former players: Shaun Timmins, Brett Morris, Josh Morris
Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs
Coach: Andy Lynch
Captain: Blake Mackey
Home ground: Bill Andriske Oval
Players to watch: Front row forward Kirran Roughley is set for a big year having worked hard in the off-season to improve his fitness. A centre earlier in his playing days, he’ll be playing bigger minutes in 2023 and will look to use his footwork and offloading ability. Sam England is an exciting prospect for the club who has been massively impressive in the pre-season and really cemented his intentions to start in the lock role in a few weeks time. A bit of an unsung hero on the field.
Surprise package: Currently in the U18s, Tyler Sproule is another lock looking to make a name for himself. Having played among the first team in the pre-season he did not look out of place at all and is constantly looking to better himself as a player.
Why they will be competitive: It’s the first year in charge for coach Lynch who has been happy with the sharpness his squad has been showing in pre-season. He recognises it is a strong competition and his side still has work to do to battle for finals footy, but Lynch is focused on his own side’s game as opposed to his opposition, believing if they can replicate the kind of footy they’ve been producing in training and in the pre-season, they can ruffle a few feathers.
Last season: 9th
Opening three rounds: Nowra-Bomaderry Jets (H), Kiama Knights (H), Stingrays of Shellharbour (a)
Group 7 Premierships: 5 – 1987, 1989, 2004, 2005, 2008
Notable former players: Luke O’Donnell, Jack Murchie, Gary Warburton
Nowra-Bomaderry Jets
Coach: Adam Quinlan
Captain: Adam Quinlan
Home ground: Nowra Showground Bomaderry Sporting Complex
Players to watch: Second rower Tyson Simpson has been in the competition for a few years now and is expected to take up a leadership role on the park for the Jets this season. He has been on fire in pre-season, with coach Quinlan thinking this year he’ll show up as one of the best second rowers in the league. Jonah Longbottom is another to keep an eye on. A young front rower who the coach is putting a lot of faith in this year, developing him into a force to be reckoned with.
Surprise package: New recruit Atunaisa Matori has shown great ability to be a damaging ball runner and great defender during the trial games. The centre played a few third grade games last year and has rugby union experience, but will look to stamp his mark on first grade with the Jets this season.
Why they will be competitive: There’s been a good vibe to the Jets’ pre-season under Quinlan, with the coach happy with the way his boys have been “ripping in”. Quinlan also sees the re-recruitment of former NRL player and former Jets captain/coach Dylan Farrell as a big win for his side, as Farrell provides great leadership on and off the field. The Jets will be looking to push for that top five this year.
Last season: 8th
Opening three rounds: Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs (a), Jamberoo Superoos (a), Gerringong Lions (H)
Group 7 Premierships: 1 – 2014
Shellharbour Sharks
Coach: Abed Atallah
Captain: James Ralphs
Home ground: Ron Costello Oval
Players to watch: The Sharks are set to unleash a promising halves connection of halfback Isaac Morris and five-eight Emanuel Sultana this season, with coach Atallah looking forward to seeing them combine. Former captain and halfback Matt Carroll has hung up the boots after a historic career for the Sharks, giving Morris the chance to make his mark on the team in the no. 7 jersey.
Surprise package: Nick Hay is the tireless worker of the Shellharbour Sharks from the lock forward position. His defensive ability and overall toughness is invaluable to the side.
Why they will be competitive: Coach Atallah has been at the head of the ship since 2016 and is confident in the side that he brings into round one. He thinks if they stick to their game plan, meet their internal goals and keep their eyes on the footy, they can take a crack at finals footy this season.
Last season: 6th
Opening three rounds: Warilla-Lake South Gorillas (H), Berry-Shoalhaven Heads Magpies (a), Kiama Knights (a)
Group 7 Premierships: 6 – 1939, 1962, 1971, 1973, 2001, 2018
Notable former players: Ron Costello, Matt Cooper, Trent Merrin
Stingrays of Shellharbour
Coach: Tom Warner
Captain: Tom Warner
Home ground: Flinders Field
Players to watch: Energetic hooker Colby Smith is set for a big year from hooker. Small in stature but big in ability, Smith was playing off the bench last season, he’ll be looking to make the no. 9 jersey his own. Jimmy Scott is another to keep an eye on from fullback. A young and electric talent who had a breakout season at the Illawarra South Coast Dragons, he’ll bring a lot of life to the side.
Surprise package: Coming from a rugby union background, big Will Latu is a developing talent who played mostly off the bench this year, but has the potential to be one of the most devastating back rowers in the league.
Why they will be competitive: Towards the back end of last season the Stingrays went 10 games unbeaten, before falling short in the preliminary final. Coach Warner think that this momentum is set to carry into 2023, with the majority of the squad retained from last year. Warner thinks if they start the season strong, which they’ve shown in their two pre-season trials, they should be right back in the top five mix again.
Last season: 4th on ladder, eliminated in preliminary final
Opening three rounds: Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles (a), Gerringong Lions (H), Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs (H)
Group 7 Premierships: 0
Warilla-Lake South Gorillas
Coach: Neil Farmilo & Troy Grant
Captain: Blair Grant
Home ground: Cec Glenholmes Oval
Players to watch: Looking to bounce back after an extended period on the sideline is backrower Zane Boersma. He has had over three years out with ongoing shoulder reconstruction issues but has fitted right back into the squad in the pre-season. Tyrone Roberts is another talented young footballer to watch this year. A five-eighth who has been a super sub in the past, but will look to line up and cement a role in the halves this year.
Surprise package: Small in stature but making up for it in effort and heart, centre Dane Nelson seems to get better every year. Still very young, he’s the ultimate all-rounder and is invaluable to the Gorillas.
Why they will be competitive: For the first time since 2012, the Gorillas enter the season as defending champions, with Coach Farmilo recognises that his side have gone from the hunters to the hunted in 2023. His side is aware of the heightened competition and pressure that will be on them, recognising that they have to be prepared to play and play well week in and week out. Farmilo thinks if they don’t get ahead of themselves and stick to getting the basics right on the field, they’ll be right up there again this season.
Last season: 2nd on ladder, grand final winners
Opening three rounds: Shellharbour Sharks (a), Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles (H), Berry-Shoalhaven Heads Magpies (H)
Group 7 Premierships: 9 – 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1991, 1995, 1997, 2011, 2022
Notable former players: Alex Volkanovski, Beau Henry
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