Illawarra Rugby League: 16 young guns inspiring their teams to U18 premiership glory
They are the future of Illawarra footy. With the finals looming we take a look at 16 of the Illawarra’s most talented U18 footy stars aiming for grand final success.
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It’s crunch time in the Illawarra rugby league season as the finals kick off this weekend in all competitions.
The 2023 U18s competition has been stacked to the brim with emerging talents looking to forge their path to the NRL.
With just four finals spots available, fifth placed Corrimal’s 2023 season has come to an end, leaving minor premiers Collegians, runners up Western Suburbs Devils, Thirroul Butchers and Berkeley Eagles to battle it out for premiership glory.
Ahead of the finals series kicking off, we’ve compiled a list featuring four x-factor talents from every team that will be crucial to their side progressing in the competition.
Check out the full list of young guns.
Eden Hodges (Collegians)
Halfback of the table-topping Collie Dogs who has led his team around the park in 2023.
Good vision, footy IQ and excels at getting his team on the front foot, while leading the competition on 17 tries.
Toby Rumble (Collegians)
Following in the footsteps of brother Ben in the Dragons system, Toby is another talented prospect of the Rumble clan.
Doing the damage from centre, he is big and strong both defensively and when carrying the footy, leading to 13 tries so far this season.
Tom Kirk (Collegians)
Playing up and age group due to his talent, Kirk is a strong fullback who makes some solid kick returns, is super quick and has a great footy head.
Has only just returned to the side from Catholic Colleges team that won that Australian title and has been a much welcomed return to the no. 1 jersey.
Beau Devlin (Collegians)
Captain of the Collegians side and younger brother of first grade five-eighth Max Devlin, Beau is a terrific edge forward.
Very strong and tough on and off the ball, while showing some great ball skills as well for a forward.
Viliami Amone (Wests)
Younger brother to Dragons half Junior Amone, Viliame has been an ultra consistent leader of the Devils all year.
Has clearly impressed from the front row having made a handful of first grade appearances off the bench as well.
Harry Wililo (Wests)
Nine tries this season for the energetic Wililo who has moved in field to centre in order to get his hands on the footy more.
He’s big, athletic and rapid off the mark, capitalising on any slight opportunity he might get.
Josiah Clifford (Wests)
Has been the standout performer for the Devils in 2023 from fullback.
Truly bringing the x-factor, he’s a courageous competitor and is dangerous with every touch of the footy.
Clay Baldock (Wests)
Captain of the Devils U18 side is the skilful five-eighth who steers the ship for the Western Suburbs.
His kicking game and overall game management has been invaluable to his team this year.
Aaymon Fitzgibbon (Thirroul)
Son of Cronulla Sharks head coach Craig Fitzgibbon, Aaymon is a big framed five-eighth with five tries to his name in 2023.
A well rounded half who has started to run the ball a lot more, being very damaging where he does so.
Zane Temple (Thirroul)
A Butchers junior who has come through the ranks and turned into a highly damaging front rower.
Great leg speed and consistently taking strong carries to bring his side forward, while also being quite quick around the ruck for his position.
Jackson Smith (Thirroul)
A second row powerhouse playing his junior rep footy at the Dragons.
Big and strong, Smith is super damaging out on the edges and is tough to tackle.
Lewis Sargent-Wilson (Thirroul)
Another Butchers junior looking for an U18s premiership with his boyhood club.
A real calm head from halfback who steers the boys around well.
Palu Tuasala (Berkeley)
A dominant presence on any team he’s a part of, Tuasala is one of the ring leaders of the Berkeley side that leads them around the field.
Frequents in the forwards due to his size but has the talent to play in the backs and has scored 12 tries this season.
Samson McAllister-Wood (Berkeley)
Played in fullback earlier in the year but has since converted to centres where he has flourished.
A really strong ball carrying game and defensively rock solid.
Zachariah Tafua (Berkeley)
Off the back of a successful Harold Matthews campaign with the Steelers in prop, Tafua has been more of a backrower for the Eagles this season.
Run some great lines and is a powerful carrier of the ball to eat some metres for his side.
Samuel Kennedy (Berkeley)
Another centre doing the business for the Eagles is Kennedy.
Has the x-factor off the boot, both in open play and off the tee which is a valuable trait to have in your side.
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