Group 6 rugby league: Top 40 players in 2021 season
With an electric mix of former NRL stars, emerging talent and local heroes, Group 6 is one of the state’s strongest bush footy competitions. Here’s our top 40 players of 2021 so far.
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One of the strongest country football competitions in the state, Group 6 has an electric mix of former NRL stars, emerging young talent and local heroes.
NewsLocal, with the help of the clubs, Group 6 administration, Macarthur Rugby League Wrap and Macarthur Sports Radio, has compiled a definitive list of the top 40 players competing in the 2021 competition.
With a Covid-19 enforced break, take the chance to take stock and find out which players will grab the headlines as the competition races to the final rounds.
MITCH ALLGOOD – MITTAGONG LIONS
A rugby league journeyman who has amassed 111 professional rugby league matches in the NRL and Super League, Allgood has this year played a vital role laying down a platform for the Mittagong Lions. The 32-year-old middle forward is one of the Lions marquee signings for 2021, most recently playing in the Super League for the London Broncos.
KYLE BELL – THE OAKS TIGERS
A diminutive and tough hooker, Bell plays well above his weight and is one of the leading attacking threats in the competition. The Oaks Tigers junior is classy with the ball in hand and can poke through a lazy defender with ease.
JARROD BOYLE – MITTAGONG LIONS
A born leader and experienced playmaker, Boyle has been a welcome addition to the Lions for the 2021 season. The halfback, who recently experienced success in the Illawarra Rugby League competition, can read the game well and almost always comes up with the right decision under pressure. A key part of the Lions attack.
JARROD BRAKENHOFER- CAMDEN RAMS
The halfback and captain-coach, Brackenhofer leads the Rams across the park using his vast experience from top-tier rugby league in NSW and Queensland. Creative in attack, the captain-coach does not miss in defence.
MITCHELL BRASINGTON – OAKDALE WORKERS
A three-time Group 6 player of the year, playmaker Mitchell Brasington is one of the most dangerous players in the competition. Skilful with the ball in his hands and with one of the best kicking games in the competition, the former captain-coach of The Oaks Tigers is expected to play a leading role for the Workers in their search for premiership success. The 28-year-old goalkicker is currently the leading pointscorer in the competition.
JOSH BURKE – OAKDALE WORKERS
One of the leading tryscorers in the competition, Burke often leaves his defenders clutching at thin air. The Worker has crossed the tryline no fewer than eight times across the opening stages of the season. Arguably the form centre of the competition, Burke has been a key part of the Workers outfit in recent seasons.
ALEX CANHAM – CAMDEN RAMS
A speedy outside back who is one of the finest finishers in the competition. Known to burn past his opposition number, Canham’s power and pace sees him be a constant attacking threat for the Rams.
MASON CERRUTO – CAMDEN RAMS
An Italian rugby league international and Camden Rams junior, the 25-year-old is a focal point of the attack of the traditional Group 6 powerhouse. The dangerous fullback, who developed his skills in the Parramatta Eels and Canterbury Bulldogs lower grades, Cerruto has scored ten tries this season using his strength and pace. He knows where to position himself to find the tryline.
SEAN CONNOR – CAMPBELLTOWN-CITY KANGAROOS
A wily playmaker and rugby league veteran kicks his team around Fullwood Reserve with class. Connor has developed his skills in the Sydney Shield competition with East Campbelltown Eagles before showcasing his talent in this year’s Group 6 competition. His teammates trust he would never shirk a physical battle.
ADDISON DEMETRIOU – OAKDALE WORKERS
A powerfully-built middle forward, the 26-year-old Demetriou has been a find for the Workers in season 2021. Taking the field for Oakdale Sid Sharp Oval, Demetriou brings a level of experience to the field after a number of years in the NSW Cup competition.
TIM DENGATE – PICTON MAGPIES
A mainstay of the Magpies premiership run, the halfback and co-captain of the Picton team is one of the most valuable players in the competition. A previous Group 6 representative player, Dengate competes well above his size and delivers exquisite service for his outside backs.
BAILEY DICKINSON – CAMDEN RAMS
A young prop forward for the Camden Rams, Dickinson is having a breakout year in the Group 6 competition. His powerful runs have laid a strong platform for the Rams and he is expected to play an important role across the final rounds of the competition.
LEVI DODD – THE OAKS TIGERS
An experienced centre who has competed in the NSW and QLD Cup competitions, Dodd’s silky footwork and power have been a welcome addition to The Oaks Tigers. With injuries limiting his game time in the early portion of the season, Dodd is expected to play a leading role in the Tigers’ charge for premiership success.
NICK ECCLESTON – MITTAGONG LIONS
A hard-nosed hooker with pinpoint passing from dummy half, Eccleston is the focal point of the Lions attack with the ball in hand. The talented junior controls the game and is a fan favourite of the Lions’ faithful with green and gold running through his veins. A committed player week-in week-out.
ERIC EVERETT – PICTON MAGPIES
A powerfully-built winger who has no trouble finding his way across the tryline. Everett has been a mainstay of the Magpies backline for a number of years and is one of the team’s most experienced campaigners.
AARON FARKAS – THE OAKS TIGERS
One of the form players with The Oaks Tigers this season, club captain Sarkas has found a happy home at Dudley Chesham Oval. The goalkicking forward leads by example each time he laces his boots, with his ball-playing and leg speed a major advantage for the third-placed Tigers.
JYE FRASER – MITTAGONG LIONS
A Mittagong junior whose game has risen to new heights playing alongside his new marquee teammates with NRL experience. Fraser, a talented backrower, never shirks a tough carry and has been a key fixture of the squad in recent years.
KYLE FRASER – OAKDALE WORKERS
Affectionately known as ‘Hollywood’ by his teammates, Fraser has been a welcome addition to the Workers playing group for the 2021 season. One of the form forwards in the Group 6 competition, the prop forward is known for his tough carries and valuable go-forward for the team. Recently played for Orange CYMS in the Group 10 competition.
BRYSON GOODWIN – MITTAGONG LIONS
A former New Zealand international representing the Lions for the 2021 season, with his try-scoring feats welcomed by the faithful at Mittagong Sports Ground. Goodwin, who represented Canterbury Bulldogs and South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL and also enjoyed a stint in the UK Super League, has been a sensation for the Lions at fullback.
LARRY GREIG-WILLIAMS – SOUTH WEST GOANNAS
Described by his teammates as being the size of Queensland Origin great Alfie Langer with the heart of Artie Beetson, Greig-Williams has been a leading figure in the South West Goannas inaugural season in the Group 6 first grade competition. Now living in Canberra, the playmaker travels to Onslow Oval each week to play for the new club and leads by example each time he takes the field.
JERMAINE HAULE – OAKDALE WORKERS
A strong running hooker, Haule is a constant threat around the ruck and has played a key role in the Workers early season form. A former Narellan Jets player, Haule has found a happy home at Sid Sharp Oval.
ADAM JEFFREYS – MITTAGONG LIONS
One of Mittagong Lions’ favourite sons, described by his teammates as tough, uncompromising, loyal and humble. The committed forward is known to roll up his sleeves time and time again on and off the field.
WILL KERR – CAMDEN RAMS
A scheming hooker, Kerr is electric with the ball in hand causing problems around the ruck for opposition teams. The Camden Rams junior developed his skills in the Canterbury Bulldogs junior system and is a key part of the attack at Kirkham Park.
TIM LAFAI – CAMDEN RAMS
A former Samoan international, the light-footed centre Lafai has recently laced up the boots for Camden Rams in this year’s competition. The 30-year-old scored 50 tries across a 10-year career in the NRL, representing Canterbury Bulldogs and St George Illawarra, and is now showcasing his attacking prowess to the Kirkham Park faithful.
JEREMY LATIMORE – MITTAGONG LIONS
A veteran who played 182 NRL matches for five clubs across a ten-year professional career has added starch and experience to an impressive Mittagong squad. The front row forward, affectionately known in rugby league circles as the GOAT, has become a crowd favourite with his size and powerful frame colliding into opposition forwards. The forward leader of the Lions.
JACOB LOKO – THIRLMERE ROOSTERS
The man mountain made his name in the NRL as a powerful centre, but Loko is now starring for the Thirlmere Roosters as a back row forward. The 28-year-old, standing at 192cm, has been the source of nightmares for his opposition numbers in the days before and after games. Raised in Claymore, Loko was touted as a future star with the Parramatta Eels but has returned to his roots in recent years to star for Thirlmere.
KYE MADDEN – THIRLMERE ROOSTERS
Arguably Thirlmere’s most important forward, the captain leads from the front with a strong workrate across the whole 80 minutes. Madden is one of the competition’s biggest metre eaters with a clever offload and valuable passing game.
JERMAINE MATI-LEFI – NARELLAN JETS
A very skilful halfback, the talented and diminutive Mati-Lefi organises his team across Sid Crane Oval with class. The Parramatta Eels junior has played a leading hand in the bulk of the Jets points this year with his attack matched by his tough defence. A great all-round player.
RAY MOUJALLI – CAMPBELLTOWN-CITY KANGAROOS
A veteran front row forward whose past exploits has seen him hold up a premiership trophy with Newtown Jets in the NSW Cup. The prop, who had been involved with five NRL clubs and a World Cup campaign with Lebanon, has added a vast amount of experience to the Kangaroos squad. With an injury-plagued 2021 campaign, Moujalli is expected to be a major figure in the final rounds.
MITCHELL NEW – THIRLMERE ROOSTERS
A tough as nails Thirlmere junior who has emerged as one of the key players for the top-of-the-table Roosters. The crafty hooker is quick to take advantage when the opposition defence is on the backfoot and brings a lot of energy in defence.
BEN SCAMBARY – THE OAKS TIGERS
A mainstay and back row veteran of The Oaks Tigers, Scambary never lets down his teammates each time he takes the field. One of the crowd favourites at Dudley Chesham Oval, Scambary’s in-and-away is a constant threat with his ability to play a number of positions around the park seeing him as one of the most valuable players in the Group 6 competition.
BRAD SPEECHLEY – CAMDEN RAMS
The nippy playmaker has been a leading player for Camden Rams in the 2021 campaign with his attack igniting the Kirkham Park faithful. Known to keep the opposition guessing in defence thanks to his strong running and passing game, Speechley’s laser sharp cutout pass has led to a number of tries out wide.
DANIEL SMITH – THE OAKS TIGERS
The Tigers fullback is safe as houses at the back of the field and a constant threat around the ruck. Smith, a noted tryscorer, has been a key pillar of the Tigers attack with his footwork a danger to tired forwards in the middle of the field.
JAKE STEADMAN – OAKDALE WORKERS
A key player for the Workers, Steadman is crafty with the ball in hand with a powerful running game. The journey man developed his skills with the Sydney Roosters under-20s and is a reliable pair of hands at the back of the field.
MICHAEL STEVENS – CAMPBELLTOWN-CITY KANGAROOS
The heart and soul of one of Group 6’s oldest clubs, Stevens is one of the leading players for Campbelltown City Kangaroos. The tenacious hooker, who has played for the Western Suburbs Magpies and East Campbelltown Eagles, brings a wealth of experience in his role as captain-coach of the proud club. Stevens never fails to lead his team from the front.
HAYDEN SUTTON – THIRLMERE ROOSTERS
A fleet-footed fullback who causes havoc in attack for the ladder leaders, the young star is the focal point of the Roosters’ attack. Sutton developed his skills with the Illawarra Steelers and his tackle-breaking ability and speed provides a constant threat.
PENI TEREPO – NARELLAN JETS
A former Parramatta Eel and Tonga international, Terepo is one of the forward leaders of the Narellan Jets pack. The 29-year-old, who played more than 100 NRL matches, is the captain of the Jets sharing his experience and leadership across the squad. Playing prop forward, Terepo is a handful to bring down for opposition defences.
JASON THOMPSON – OAKDALE WORKERS
Workers captain and dangerous back row forward Jason Thompson has led from the front for the second-placed Workers, not once taking a backward step. Most recently representing Cabramatta Two Blues in the Ron Massey Cup, Thompson plays a hard brand of footy which has resonated with the Oakdale faithful.
NATHAN WILKINS – NARELLAN JETS
An 80-minute lock forward who crunches much bigger opposition forwards in defence. Representing the Jets for a number of years, Wilkins is a key member of the forward pack and is known for his toughness and physicality.
CHRIS WILLIAMSON – CAMPBELLTOWN-CITY KANGAROOS
A powerfully built back row forward who has taunted Group 6 defences with his fend and lethal foot step, Williamson has been a leader with the Kangaroos for 13 seasons. A member of the breakthrough premiership of 2017, Williamson remains one of the competition’s premier edge forwards.
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