Macarthur Rugby League: Finals time, injury games and more, round 18 talking points, 30+ gallery
The Macarthur Rugby League has reached the pointy end and there’s several burning issues to settle. Among the rivalries and get squares, a young ref broke a record. Round 18 talking points.
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The Macarthur Rugby League finals have arrived and there’s plenty to get through before the big games kick off. Round 18 talking points.
RIVALS TO KICK OFF FINALS
In a season where venues have rocked to the thunder of ripping rivalry contests, it makes sense that Oakdale and The Oaks kick off this year’s finals series.
The Workers have won both clashes this year, and will start warm favourites after resting the majority of their top performers in the final round win over South West.
TOP TRY SNEAK
Daniel Payne rarely misses an opportunity, and it was no different last week against an inexperienced City side.
Starting the round on 18 tries, the Tigers half was second on the first grade try scoring list. He was equal top at the break, and by the time the final whistle sounded, he was in outright first and two ahead of the rest.
COYNE “FIFTY-FIFTY”
Like most clubs, Mittagong took the opportunity last week to rest several stars ahead of the finals.
Fullback James Coyne was one Lions player to sit out, but according to captain-coach James Grehan the No.1 is nursing a hip flexor injury and is no certainty to suit up against Thirlmere.
THIRLMERE EYES GET SQUARE
The last time Thirlmere and Mittagong faced off was back in round eight, and to say it didn’t end well would be a massive understatement.
In the wash up, Roosters coach Darren McLeod was left simmering after two of his players were suspended following Mittagong complaints.
That day the side’s finished locked at 22-all. Now Thirlmere plays host, and it could be their rusted-on fans that make all the difference.
SUTTON’S STICK TOGETHER
Roosters fullback Hayden Sutton picked the perfect time to play a blinder last week. It was old boys day at Thirlmere where the best on ground was left to the judgment of former players.
With his father and grandfather having played for the club, the No.1 exploded from the outset.
RHIANNA BREAKS REF RECORD
When Rhianna Borg ran out to officiate The Oaks and City last Sunday, the 19-year-old became the youngest to referee a first grade match in the Macarthur competition.
And according to Tigers captain Mitchell Brasington, the former Group 7 whistleblower ran a tight ship.
“She went well, had good control and made sure everyone was well behaved,” said Brasington.
EAGLES AND MAGPIES: WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN?
There’s no doubting the quality of this year’s top five. But it just shows how strong the competition is when side’s like East Campbelltown and Picton can’t make the cut.
With little separating the top seven sides on their day, you can bet those still in the race are happy the Eagles and Magpies won’t be along for the ride.
COLLIES REGGIES ROCKED
With one minute to play at Mittagong, and Collegians leading the reserve grade game 20-14, the live ladder had Collies in fifth spot and finals bound.
In the end, a late David Eccleston try and Byron Pinkerton conversion levelled the scores and the Campbelltown boys were left out of their ground and stumped in sixth place.
WEEK-1 FINALS
First Grade, Sunday 27 August at Thirlmere
Oakdale v The Oaks at 1:15pm
Thirlmere v Mittagong at 3:00pm
Reserve Grade at Thirlmere
Picton v Oakdale at 6:30pm (Saturday)
Camden v Mittagong at 11:30am (Sunday)
ROUND 18 WRAP
Despite slim hopes of cracking the finals, Picton had plenty to fight for against cross town rivals Thirlmere. At Fullwood Reserve, City celebrated a club legend as The Oaks focused on extending their season.
With the countdown to the opening week of the finals already in full swing, here’s the round 18 wrap.
ROOSTERS END RIVALS SEASON
For the second time this season rivals Thirlmere and Picton have played out a thriller with the Roosters squaring the ledger after holding on 26-24 to end the Magpies’ finals charge.
Picton headed across town needing a sixth consecutive win to have any chance of making the top five, but coming off a round 17 bye, the Magpies were slow out of the gates.
Fullback Hayden Sutton shredded the defence with his first touch, racing a kick return 80m and it was 10-0 when the No.1 pounced off Tim Simona’s left shoulder in the 10th minute.
Picton struck back through Rua Hona after halves Tim Dengate and Jarrod Brackenhofer combined to put the centre over for his 10th try of the season, before Bailey Nairn then put the home side 12 clear on the half-hour.
With their season slipping away, Dengate sent Tukaha Kyriacou across five minutes before the interval and the Magpies only trailed by two when winger Matthew Dengate dived over on half time.
Thirlmere wrestled back the momentum with a try to prop Matthew Scott, and led 26-14 when rookie James Lee grounded a Sutton grubber.
In a replay of the first half, Picton struck back in quick succession to trail 26-24 after Hona and Dengate both competed their doubles.
At five tries apiece, the final 20 minutes promised more points but it didn’t eventuate as both sides turned over possession in an error riddled closing.
Picton pressed hard at the death but in a good sign ahead of the finals, Thirlmere held on for an eighth straight victory.
“We knew Picton would be tough, they always are,” said Thirlmere coach Darren McLeod before looking ahead to next week’s finals match against Mittagong.
“Our defence between the 2om lines can improve, they rolled through the middle pretty easily at times. But our goal line defence was encouraging, we’ve worked hard on that throughout the year.
“We get a couple back next week too, with Curtis Scott and winger Josh Bryant set to return.”
TIGERS SEAL FIFTH SPOT
With a finals spot up for grabs The Oaks were in no mood to send veteran City forward Chris Williamson into a happy retirement, handing the hapless Kangaroos a 78-10 hiding.
The Tigers headed to Fullwood Reserve knowing a comprehensive performance over 10th placed City would lock down the fifth and final spot ahead of next week’s finals.
City centre Jacob Williams struck early, but with a double to skipper Mitchell Brasington The Oaks eased through the gears with four first half tries to lead 24-4.
And they didn’t let up with the change of ends, hammering home the advantage with another 10 four-pointers in a half that yielded an extraordinary 54 points.
Daniel Payne’s hat-trick took his season tally to 21, enough to move past Mittagong’s James Coyne (19) as the competition’s leading try scorer.
Brasington had another big day with the boot and along with two tries finished with 26 points.
“It was good to get back on the winners list and some fitness ahead of next week’s clash with Oakdale,” said Tigers captain Mitchell Brasington.
“City have been hampered by injuries all season and they lost a few early including Williamson, but to their credit they toughed it out.”
MINOR PREMIERS SEND EAGLES PACKING
With the minor premiership already in safe keeping, a largely full strength Camden finished East Campbelltown’s season with a 44-16 victory at Kirkham Park.
The Eagles hit the road knowing that nothing short of a sizeable victory and a miracle City performance was going to save their season.
A try to winger Jayke Lealuga Puhotau offered some early hope, but it was short lived as Camden quickly counted with two tries to winger John Ryan as the Rams charged to a 22-4 half time lead.
Camden doubled their first half effort adding another four tries after the break with skipper Brad Speechley finishing the afternoon with two, which was matched by reliable Eagles winger Blake Clayton.
Camden’s 14th win of the year ensured the Rams finished four points clear at the top of the table, with a loss to Oakdale last April their only blemish.
“We’ve got a week off now, so it was good to play a finals-type game against a strong side like the Eagles,” said Rams captain-coach Brad Speechley.
“We rested a couple of boys who had niggles, but we’re in pretty good shape. We’ve should have a squad of 21 quality players to pick from for the finals.
“There a few things to work on, especially our ball control and discipline – we gave away too many silly penalties on the third and fourth tackles.”
LIONS BRUSH PAST COLLIES AT HOME
With star fullback James Coyne and workaholic backrower Keiran Rankmore rested ahead of the finals, Mittagong were pushed early by a determined Collegians before a flurry of late tries saw them finish 40-20 winners.
Playing for little more than pride, Collies centre Ofa Felila kicked started his side’s trip south in perfect style, crossing in just the seventh minute. The Lions’ reply was instantaneous, prop Jeremy Latimore crossed in the 14th minute and he was quickly followed across the stripe by fellow bookend Ben Arandt.
Collegians trailed 18-8 at the break, but an upset loomed when dependable hooker Alefelio Moata’ane reduced the margin to four in the 50th minute.
With third spot already assured, Mittagong could easily have been excused for thinking longer term, they instead sparked, scoring four tries inside 13 minutes to lead 40-14 after 70 minutes.
Centre Liam Henry finished with a brace for the Lions while Bryson Goodwin struck six from seven with the boot.
“When we saw the Picton result, we knew we’d finish third regardless of the result so we decided to rest some players,” said Lions captain-coach James Grehan.
“We’re looking forward to next week now, it’ll be good to have a finals reset. We know what works for us, it’s just a matter of sticking to our game plan.”
OAKDALE STARS RESTED IN BIG WIN
Just like Mittagong, Oakdale weren’t about to risk its star-studded line-up in the countdown to next week’s big games.
Already locked into fourth position on the ladder, the Workers gave a host of talent the day off. Skipper Kyle Fraser was joined in the stands by forwards Josh Carr and Michael Bullock, and centres Cleveland McGhie and Nathan Davis.
In the end it mattered little as a host of fresh faces combined to extend South West’s winless season with a 44-10 win.
Winger Tuaahu Kumeroa scored three tries for the winners while the Goannas were best served by Cruise Iosefa and Brenton Doyle O’Donnell.
In a scare for the Goannas, Mitchell Baird’s day ended early when the winger was stretchered off with a neck injury.
“Mitchell is okay,” said father and coach Mark Baird on Monday morning.
“He wasn’t going to play this season but helped out when we were short on numbers. He was released from hospital last night and is back at work today doing a concrete pour.
“I just want to thank all the people at the ground for their assistance, especially the sportsmanship shown by Oakdale. Their players were quick to react and the club continued to send messages of support well into the night.”
PHOTO GALLERY
First Grade
Reserve Grade
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