Andrew Johns/Laurie Daley Cup: 10 star performers, key talking points from round three
From lethal outside-backs to rampaging forwards, there were plenty of standouts across the Johns/Daley Cups in round three. Check out 10 of the top performers.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
While there were only eight games of rugby league across the Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cup in round three, we certainly weren’t short of entertainment, with plenty of exciting action taking place across regional NSW.
There were a number of standout players around the grounds this weekend, from crafty halves pulling the strings, to lethal outside-backs running riot and some dangerous forwards finding their way to the try line.
Check out 10 of the top performers from round three.
Read on as well to catch up on the biggest talking points from the round.
JACK DEAN-POTAKA (CENTRAL COAST ROOSTERS)
The Central Coast Roosters were at their creative best against the Northern Tigers in the Andrew Johns Cup, with plenty of contenders for mentions in the backline.
While Owen Knowles was once again terrific at halfback, the shout-out this week goes to his halves partner Jack Dean-Potaka, who was instrumental in attack for the Roosters.
He showcased his excellent passing game with direct assists for Chase Kapua and Cooper Gibbs, while he also had a hand in Isaac Philips’ try.
CHASE BUTLER (NEWCASTLE-MAITLAND REGION KNIGHTS)
We could have chosen anyone down the Knights’ left flank as a top performer this week in the Johns Cup, but it was five-eighth Butler who got the nod.
The number six was the key orchestrator for the Knights as the team ran in all seven tries down that devastating edge, showcasing a mean left-foot step on a number of occasions and finding the tryline twice in the 38-14 victory.
He also provided a beautiful offload to send his edge forward Curtis Mulherin through the line to score.
CURTIS MULHERIN (NEWCASTLE-MAITLAND REGION KNIGHTS)
Speaking of, Mulherin secures a spot in the side after crossing for two tries from the second row for the rampaging Knights.
The tall backrower showed good game awareness to know when to take on the line himself or when to spread the footy further out on that productive left edge.
He also showed off his speed and strength, notably for his second try when he bounced out of a tackle, hit the deck and still had the time to get up and muscle his way to the line.
ELIJAH SEFO (MACARTHUR WESTS TIGERS)
While it was an overall terrific team performance by the undefeated Tigers in the Johns Cup, a couple of crucial contributions from Elijah Sefo towards the end of the first half were crucial to establishing a healthy lead at the break.
The Tigers scored two tries in back-to-back sets to finish the first half, with Sefo setting up the first for his winger Mawin Tema Soaai, before scoring himself with a 40m burst down the right flank.
These two important contributions helped to create a 16-point buffer at the break that the Bulls weren’t able to chase down.
BRYSON REED (WESTERN RAMS)
Making a big impact off the bench for the Rams in the Andrew Johns Cup was Bryson Reed.
The interchange player had a number of key attacking involvements either side of the half, scoring from a dummy-half burst himself, before launching two short-side raids to set up William Giovas and Triston Ross to score.
JONAH ANDERSON (MONARO COLTS)
The halfback put on an absolute kicking masterclass as the Colts overcame a sluggish start to down Western 40-12 in the Daley Cup.
Anderson remarkably provided four try assists directly from kicks, putting in a cross field bomb for winger Lachlan Cunanan to score the team’s first and rolling in a perfectly weighted grubber for Toby Ferris to score under the sticks.
He kept going in the second half with another deft grubber for Joseph Elton to score, before doing it all himself with a chip and chase to score the Colts’ final try.
DYLAN SMITH (MACARTHUR WESTS TIGERS)
The hooker was electric in the Tigers’ 10-try flogging of Riverina in the Daley Cup.
Smith showed lightning speed to score the team’s first two tries, one scooting out from dummy-half and the other from a set piece at the back of a scrum.
In addition to his excellent service, he also laid on the team’s final try for Amazon-Paul Pua’avase as Macarthur cracked the half-century.
TOBY BATTEN (NORTH COAST BULLDOGS)
The halfback was excellent in the Dogs’ first win in the Daley Cup, with his ball-playing and footwork keeping the Knights’ defence on their toes and leading to multiple line-breaks throughout the game.
His kicking game was also crucial in turning the Knights around as the Bulldogs ran out 20-4 victors.
BROOKLYN ROSEMEYER (CENTRAL COAST ROOSTERS)
The Roosters’ playmaker had a hand in everything as the Chooks were involved in a dramatic 26-all draw with the Northern Tigers in the Daley Cup.
In addition to laying on one assist, Rosemeyer had a key role in setting up sweeping backline moves that led to three of the side’s five tries.
He also often found the turf with his kicking game as the two teams battled over field position.
REECE JOSEPHSON (NORTHERN TIGERS)
The fullback was dynamite as the Tigers came from 22-6 down to earn a last-gasp draw in the thriller in Tamworth.
Not only was he safe under the high ball, but Josephson was electric in attack, breaking the line several times with his strong carries to put Northern in attacking positions.
He showed his strength and speed to charge over in the second half to trigger the Tigers’ late comeback.
ROUND THREE TALKING POINTS
It was another weekend to remember in the Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cups, with an action-packed round three taking place across the state.
From postponed games, to a try of the year contender from a prop forward and a thrilling first draw of the season, there was a lot to discuss.
The round also saw genuine contenders emerge from the pack as teams jostled for ladder positions ahead of the final two rounds of the regular season.
In addition to our full round three wrap, check out 10 of the biggest talking points from round three of junior rep rugby league action.
KICKING THE DIFFERENCE IN GAME OF THE SEASON
Northern Tigers goalkicker Dylan Keane was the hero for his side after a wonderful performance with the boot secured a thrilling 26-all draw against the Central Coast Roosters in a Laurie Daley Cup classic.
Trailing 26-24 with the full-time siren having sounded, Keane showed nerves of steel to slot a penalty goal from 20m out and 15m in from touch to level things up in the top-of-the-table clash.
It capped off a perfect day with the boost for the backrower, who slotted five from five, including one from the right touchline to bring the game within two points. His sharpshooting proved crucial, as the Roosters outscored the Tigers five tries to four.
It was a fitting finale to arguably the game of the season in the Daley Cup, with the Northern Conference’s two undefeated teams going at each other in a classic match-up.
Despite the Tigers scoring after 80 seconds, it was the Roosters who surged ahead to take a 22-6 lead at halftime.
However the home side surged back into the contest and ultimately levelled things up after the full-time siren.
COLTS PUT ON KICKING MASTERCLASS
Speaking of kicking, Monaro Colts halfback Jonah Anderson put on a kicking masterclass as his side romped to a 40-18 victory over Western in the Daley Cup.
From cross field bombs to perfectly weight grubbers, Anderson provided four try assists directly from kicks, saving arguably the best for last.
In the final seconds of the match the halfback put a chip in behind the Rams’ defence. While two defenders were nearby, the ball took a wicked bounce that landed back into Anderson’s hands and the playmaker finished off his own try to cap off an excellent performance.
Check out the footage below.
KNIGHTS’ JEKYLL AND HYDE SHOW CONTINUES
The two Newcastle-Maitland Region Knights’ sides couldn’t be further from each other after another round of polar opposites over the weekend.
The club’s Johns Cup side continued its scintillating form with a 38-14 victory over the North Coast Bulldogs. It was the team’s third win from three outings, which sees it surge to the top of the Northern Conference, having amassed 94 points from three games, the equal-most in the competition.
Remarkably, the team scored all seven of its tries down its lethal left edge, with five-eighth Chase Butler, backrower Curtis Mulherin, centre Chip Valentish and winger Kade Paton having a field day.
Unfortunately for the Knights it was a completely different story for the Daley Cup side, who slumped to their third-straight defeat, losing 20-4.
The loss leaves the Knights at the bottom of the Northern Conference, having scored just 26 points in three games, the fewest in the competition.
BULLDOGS ON THE UP
While the Knights’ tough season in the Daley Cup continued, there were much happier scenes at the other end of the field as the North Coast Bulldogs chalked up their first victory of the season over Newcastle in Port Macquarie.
Sam Watts, Patrick Carey and Samuel Petch all crossed in the 20-4 victory, which capped off a significant improvement in the team’s performances.
After suffering a 36-6 flogging at the hands of the Northern Tigers in round one, the Bulldogs put in a much improved performance against the table-topping Macarthur Wests Tigers in round two, going down 30-16 on the back of a late Macarthur blitz.
The win over the Knights will give the team plenty of confidence ahead of its clash against the undefeated Central Coast Roosters in Wyong this weekend.
YOUNG CHOOKS FLYING HIGH
On to the Roosters, and the club is still flying as both sides remain undefeated after three rounds.
While the Daley Cup team was involved in arguably the match of the season in the 26-all draw with the Northern Tigers, the Johns Cup team made headlines of their own with some champagne football in the 28-6 win over the Tigers.
The young Chooks showed plenty of skill and creativity with some lovely backline moves as they piled on five tries to blow the Tigers away.
The win takes the Roosters’ record to three from three in the Johns Cup, with the team sitting equal at the top of the Northern conference with local rivals the Knights.
FLIGHT MADNESS CAUSES RESCHEDULE
One of the other big stories of the weekend was the ill-timed flight cancellation that deprived the competition of a fifth game in both grades.
Scheduled to take on the Northern Rivers Titans in Murwillumbah, the Illawarra South Coast Dragons found out on Saturday morning that their planned flight north had been cancelled, which ultimately led to the postponement of the fixtures.
It saw footy fans miss out on a couple of juicy match-ups, especially in the Laurie Daley Cup, where both sides sit at one win and one loss after two games.
While an official has not yet been confirmed, it is expected that the fixture will be rescheduled to the wet weather weekend of 9-10 March, which follows round five and comes before the first week of finals.
BREAKAWAY BULL SCORES TRY OF THE YEAR
Is there a better sight in rugby league than a forward bursting into space?
How about a forward bursting into space and running 90m to score a try?
Riverina Bulls prop forward Vula Wate scored an instant classic under these circumstances in his side’s loss to the Macarthur Wests Tigers, in a moment that will be hard to top this season.
With the team defending its own line, the big prop forward diffused an attacking grubber from the Tigers before breaking into the open field. Showing plenty of toe, he skipped away and fended off the attempted tackles of the pursuing Tigers, going all the way to score a try for the ages.
MACARTHUR MARCHES ON
A draw for the Central Coast Roosters in the Laurie Daley Cup meant that after three rounds, the Macarthur Wests Tigers are the only team with a perfect three wins from three in both grades.
Making the Riverina Bulls their latest victims, the Tigers cemented themselves at the top of the Southern Conference in both grades and reaffirmed their title credentials with some free-flowing footy.
The Laurie Daley Cup side also managed to put on the most points scored in a game so far this season with 54, scoring a whopping 10 tries in the demolition at Camden.
YOUNG RAMS RUN WILD
The Rams put on another strong showing in the Andrew Johns Cup with a 36-6 win over the Monaro Colts, keeping themselves in the title picture.
Barring their last-minute heartbreak to the Macarthur Wests Tigers in round one, the Rams have been very impressive in the Johns Cup, scoring the equal most points alongside the Knights with 94.
While last week they were damaging from long range, this week it was their plays from close to the line that did the business, with five of their seven tries coming as the Colts defended their tryline.
Bryson Reed was a key creator for the side from hooker, while Triston Ross and Taj Jordan kept up their record of scoring in every game this season.
WEEK OF THE SECOND-HALF BLOWOUTS
There must have been some inspiring talks in the halftime sheds over the weekend, as an interesting trend of second-half blowouts was spotted across the board.
This was particularly noticeable in the Andrew Johns Cup, with three fixtures that were within a 12-point margin at halftime ultimately resulted in one-sided contests by the end.
The Newcastle-Maitland Region Knights, Central Coast Roosters and Western Rams all ended up winning by more than 22 points from games that were in the balance at the break.
The same occurred for the Monaro Colts in the Laurie Daley Cup, going into the sheds locked up with the Western Rams before piling on five second-half tries to win by 22 points.
Join the conversation
‘We can’t recruit’: Premiers in player points squeeze
A country footy premier is being forced to turn down recruits after a huge player points reduction.
Read more
Local Footy Tracker: Former Samoan international joins Toukley
Stay up to date with the latest big name signings across local rugby league competitions in New South Wales, including a former Knight and Shark linking up with a Central Coast club.
Read more