Andrew Johns/Laurie Daley Cup: The top-40 players of the 2024 season
From barnstorming props to game-breaking halves and tryscoring freaks, check out the top-40 players in this year’s Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cups.
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After a blistering five rounds, the Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cup competitions are set for the semi-finals, with the top four teams from both competitions facing off in do-or-die clashes this weekend.
In the Johns Cup, Western Rams take on the Central Coast Roosters on Saturday at Woy Woy Oval, while the Newcastle-Maitland Region Knights face off with the Macarthur Wests Tigers in Singleton on Sunday.
Meanwhile in the Daley Cup it will be the Monaro Colts taking on the Central Coast Roosters and the Northern Tigers hosting Macarthur.
Ahead of the finals, we’ve taken a look at 40 of regional NSW’s best young players who’ve lit up both competitions so far this season.
ANDREW JOHNS CUP
SEMI LEWENIQILA (CENTRAL COAST ROOSTERS)
The equal top tryscorer in the Johns Cup with eight in just five games, Leweniqila has been outstanding on the right wing for the undefeated Roosters side.
Kicking off with a round one hat-trick and then a double one week later, the winger has shown that he’s not just a good finisher, with an outstanding 70m solo effort against the North Coast Bulldogs lighting up the competition in round four.
JACK DEAN-POTAKA (CENTRAL COAST ROOSTERS)
A real livewire in the halves, the five-eighth has provided a key spark to the Roosters’ attack over the course of the season.
With the ability to kick, pass and take on the line, he has posed a regular threat to opposition defensive lines with the ball in hand.
CHASE BUTLER (NEWCASTLE-MAITLAND REGION KNIGHTS)
The puppet master pulling the strings down the Knights’ lethal left edge, the five-eighth has been absolute dynamite for the undefeated Hunter side who topped their Northern Pool.
A damaging runner of the ball with a killer passing game, Butler has scored four tries himself and has had a hand in countless others as the Knights have found plenty of success down the left throughout the season.
CHIP VALENTISH (NEWCASTLE-MAITLAND REGION KNIGHTS)
Sitting outside Butler on the left edge, Valentish has been another massive factor behind the Knights’ fluent attack this season.
Quick with good footwork and a deft set of hands, the centre has crossed for five tries and also helped lay on another five for his wing partner Kade Paton.
TRISTON ROSS (WESTERN RAMS)
The livewire five-eighth has been a constant attacking threat for the Rams, who topped the Southern Pool with the most points scored across both competitions with 192.
Scoring five tries of his own, Ross has also been an excellent provider for his teammates on the edges, setting up plenty of tries as the Rams have run riot.
TAJ JORDAN (WESTERN RAMS)
Another of the Rams’ star performers, the fullback put in a three-try, 22-point masterclass in the final round rout of the Northern Tigers to remarkably finish equal top of both the try- and pointscorer’s list for the regular season with eight tries and 44 points.
A really strong runner of the ball coming out from his own end, Jordan has proved to be incredibly dangerous in attack, whether that be through breaking the line himself or chiming in to the Rams’ sweeping backline moves.
KYE PENFOLD (MACARTHUR WESTS TIGERS)
The lock forward was a real rock in the middle for the Tigers as the team consistently won the battle of the forwards over the course of the regular season.
Excellent defensively and not afraid of a tough carry, he’s been among the Tigers’ best and has only been getting better week by week.
ELIJAH SEFO (MACARTHUR WESTS TIGERS)
A real strike weapon on the edges for the Tigers, Sefo has terrorised opposition defences throughout the course of the season with his powerful running game as Macarthur finished in second place in the Southern Pool.
Not only has he crossed for four tries himself but the centre has turned provider on numerous occasions as the Tigers’ backline clicked into gear regularly in the opening five rounds.
CURTIS LAKEMAN (MACARTHUR WESTS TIGERS)
The halfback has been pulling strings for the Macarthur attack, setting up a big portion of the team’s tries on the back of excellent combinations with five-eighth Brock Achurch and Sefo down the right edge.
In addition, his kicking game and game management has consistently given the team great field position.
BILLY MULHERAN (NORTHERN RIVERS TITANS)
A big body with silky hands, the front-rower was immense for the Titans in the middle.
Excellent defensively and always up for a tough carry, Mulheran’s mean dummy and ball-playing ability also made him a serious threat to the line in attack.
RYDER NELSON (NORTHERN RIVERS TITANS)
Lightning quick with good footwork and a nose for the tryline, the outside back was a bright spark for the Titans in the Johns Cup.
Starting at fullback and then moving into the centres, Nelson provided plenty of highlights for his team and finished with as the team’s leading tryscorer with four.
CODY ROBERTS (MONARO COLTS)
Big, strong and with a massive motor, the prop was outstanding for the Colts in the middle.
Whether being a rock in defence or workhorse with the ball in hand, Roberts was Monaro’s Mr Reliable and didn’t let the team down as he played big minutes in the front row.
BJ PUMPA (MONARO COLTS)
Roberts’ front-row partner BJ Pumpa was another standout for the side who also put in big minutes and was super reliable as the team came home with a wet sail.
As tough as nails in the middle, Pumpa brought some of the class and intensity picked up after spending pre-season with the Raiders’ Harold-Matts squad back to the squad.
MITCH SLEIGH (ILLAWARRA SOUTH COAST DRAGONS)
The front-rower led the Dragons’ pack over the course of the season with some excellent no-nonsense football.
“He just led from the front, goes about his business and does what he’s supposed to do,” said coach Nathaniel Morrison.
LOGAN FENWICK (ILLAWARRA SOUTH COAST DRAGONS)
One of the real good-news stories of the competition, the middle forward initially found himself out of the side at the beginning of the season but starred once he got his opportunity.
“He just trained and trained and worked on everything, to the point where for the last two games he started in the front row. He improved out of sight,” said Morrison.
WESLEY LEROUGETEL (NORTH COAST BULLDOGS)
Another surprise packet of the season, the outside back forced his way onto the bench in round one and found himself in the side after an injury in round two.
Initially coming in as a fullback, LeRougetel was put into the centres and made the position his own.
“He came in and was one of the best for the rest of the series,” said coach Geoff Batten. “He found himself in the centres and we couldn’t move him. He took to it really well.”
THOMAS MASTERS (NORTH COAST BULLDOGS)
Still a relative newcomer to rugby league, having just started playing three years ago, the front-rower continued his development with a strong season in the forwards for the Bulldogs.
Putting in 100 per cent effort, Masters learned a lot over the course of the season and will be looking to further develop his game in the upcoming local league season.
CASEY MILTON (NORTHERN TIGERS)
While it might have been a tough season for the Tigers in the Johns Cup, back-rower Milton certainly didn’t disappoint with an excellent season for the side.
A smart, rangy backrower, Milton consistently ran dangerous lines in attack while his work ethic in defence was enormous.
JUDE CATTLE (RIVERINA BULLS)
The big, tough prop led from the front for the Bulls, with his hard yards and excellent defence in the middle one of the main reasons why Riverina remained competitive in most of their games.
“He matched it with other teams and won a lot of battles,” said coach Ben Mott.
TYLER JORDAN (RIVERINA BULLS)
The second-rower was effort personified and got through a mountain of work in both defence and with the ball in hand for the Bulls.
LAURIE DALEY CUP
JORDAN HAMLIN (NORTHERN TIGERS)
The halfback has been the architect of the free-scoring Tigers’ undefeated season so far, pulling the strings as the side has run riot over the five rounds of the regular competition.
An excellent kicker in general play, dangerous runner of the ball and crafty ballplayer, Hamlin has been a constant attacking threat for his side, crossing for five four-pointers and setting up countless others as the Northern Region side has scored at least 26 points in every game this season.
REECE JOSEPHSON (NORTHERN TIGERS)
Simply put, the fullback has been one of the most dangerous attacking players in the competition this season.
A powerful runner of the ball from his own end, Josephson has made a habit of making line-breaks through broken defensive lines, crossing for three tries himself and turning provider for his teammates as the Tigers’ attack has flowed nicely.
JAYDEN SECKOLD (NORTHERN TIGERS)
It’s not often that interchange players get the plaudits, but Seckold has been outstanding for the Tigers from dummy-half.
Working in a hooker rotation with Jack Foley, Seckold has been an expert at exploiting tired markers and finding gaps in the opposition defensive line to get his side on the front foot.
JOSIAH FESOLAI (CENTRAL COAST ROOSTERS)
Playing predominantly as a lock, Fesolai has been the glue holding the excellent Roosters pack together as the team went undefeated through the regular season.
Rock-solid in defence and a tough runner of the ball with excellent ball skills, he’s been an fantastic contributor in both attack and defence and a key reason why the Chooks are the best defensive team in the competition.
CHAICE BAYLEY (CENTRAL COAST ROOSTERS)
You’d be hard pressed to find a player with a more spectacular highlights reel than the Central Coast five-eighth, who has simply put in some of the best performances ever seen in the competition.
A powerful runner with great footwork and the ability to put his teammates through gaps with the short ball or cut-out pass, Bayley lit up the comp with an incredible six assists as the Roosters hammered local rivals the Knights 40-12 in round five.
BROOKLYN ROSEMEYER (CENTRAL COAST ROOSTERS)
The other part of the Chooks’ halves combination, Rosemeyer was excellent in marshalling the troops around the park.
His kicking game and game management in particular were crucial in making the Central Coast hard to beat and getting the side home in tight contests against the Titans and Bulldogs.
JONAH ANDERSON (MONARO COLTS)
One of the classiest players the competition has seen in recent years, the half has been instrumental to the Colts winning their last four games straight to top the Southern Pool.
Described by coaches as a “25-year-old in an 18-year-old’s body”, Anderson has shown maturity beyond his years to not only guide the team around the park but also come up with the big plays for his side, most notably setting up four tries directly from kicks in the 40-18 win over Western in round three.
“He’s probably been a point of difference for us since round one,” said coach Brendan Bradley.
MITCHELL BROPHY (MONARO COLTS)
Playing inside of Anderson, the hooker is another main reason behind the Colts’ success.
Ultra-competitive and great out of dummy half, Brophy consistently gets his team on the front foot with great service out of hooker.
SAINT FUATIMAU (MACARTHUR WESTS TIGERS)
The competition’s leading tryscorer with seven has perhaps embodied Macarthur’s ruthlessness better than any other player with some excellent finishing to help his side to a record of four wins and one loss.
While he might not be the biggest winger in the competition, Fuatimau is incredibly strong and has carried defenders over the line on numerous occasions this season.
“He’s a good kicking target too,” said coach Mitch Tyler. “For someone who’s not even six foot he gets up and jumps above the pack.”
ARCHIE DUNCOMBE (MACARTHUR WESTS TIGERS)
Sitting just one behind Fuatimau on the tryscoring list is his teammate Archie Duncombe, who has been electric on the edge for the Tigers.
Initially cut from the club’s SG Ball squad at the beginning of the season, the back-rower showed great character in the pre-season to be named co-captain and take his game to another level in the Laurie Daley Cup.
“He’s been amazing, both in defence and attack,” said Ryan. “He’d have to be close to being the best back-rower in the whole competition. His attitude week in, week out at training has been excellent.”
DYLAN SMITH (MACARTHUR WESTS TIGERS)
Blink and you’ll miss him, the Tigers’ hooker has been absolute dynamite out of dummy-half this season, regularly catching opposition defences off guard and getting his team over the advantage line.
“He’s electric. Anytime a marker’s down he’ll get out and go and gets our middles on the front foot,” said Tyler.
HUDSON TOWELL (NORTHERN RIVERS TITANS)
One of three hookers in the Titans’ squad, Towell showed just how flexible he can be by volunteering to fill a gap the side had at five-eighth as a result of injuries and suspension in the first half of the season.
He shone particularly brightly in the round one win over the Knights, scoring one and setting up two other tries, and then bagged a double in the narrow round two loss to the Roosters.
“He was very adaptable this year,” said Titans coaching director Shaun Davidson. “He had a ‘we before me’ attitude and I thought he was outstanding.”
ROBERT SMITH (NORTHERN RIVERS TITANS)
In somewhat of a revelation for the Titans, the middle forward was one of the side’s best in what was his first season of representative football.
A tough runner of the ball and lion hearted in defence, Smith certainly enhanced his reputation after a really good season.
“He showed that he didn’t just belong in this competition but that he was very noticeable and a very competitive player,” said Davidson.
COOPER BLACK (WESTERN RAMS)
A big, skilful player who can run over the top of defenders, put teammates through gaps and set up tries with the boot, the five-eighth is a bona fide star for the Rams, crossing for six tries and kicking 14 goals to be the competition’s third-highest pointscorer during the regular season.
“I think he’s got plenty of high-level footy in front of him if he commits himself,” said Rams coach Shane Rodney. “He’s a pretty casual kid, which I think helps. Nothing much fazes him. But he’s got a real footy brain and I’m interested to see how he develops.”
TULLY HOWELL (WESTERN RAMS)
Starting the season at hooker and then moving into the halves, the skipper was key to the team’s spine as it played some excellent free-flowing footy at stages.
A tough defender in the middle and with good ball skills, Howell orchestrated a lot of the side’s attacking plays.
LEVI VALESINI (ILLAWARRA SOUTH COAST DRAGONS)
In an up-and-down campaign for the Dragons, the crafty halfback had the team’s backline humming at certain stages of the season.
A dangerous ball player with a sound kicking game, Valesini was particularly lethal working in conjunction with the Dragons’ left edge.
DREAU CLARK (ILLAWARRA SOUTH COAST DRAGONS)
He might have only played three of the five games, but the back-rower certainly made an impact whenever he was on the field.
A powerful runner of the ball with good hands, he absolutely dominated down the left edge, scoring three tries in his three games and starring in the round one thrashing of Riverina.
TOBY BATTEN (NORTH COAST BULLDOGS)
The young halfback showed maturity beyond his years with some outstanding performances in the number seven jersey in what was a season of promise for the Dogs.
With an excellent kicking game, game management skills and the ability to take on the line or put his teammates through holes, Batten created an impressive highlights reel as a bottom-age player, and showed why Canterbury have shown interest in his services.
JACK THOMPSON (NEWCASTLE-MAITLAND REGION KNIGHTS)
The young half was a real shining light for the Knights in what was a tough season for the side in the Daley Cup.
Despite only playing two games at the end of the season, Thompson – who is playing up a year – transformed the team’s attack and scored a remarkable six tries, including an incredible five-try masterclass in his debut against Riverina in round four.
DYLAN BENDALL (RIVERINA BULLS)
It was a tough season for the Bulls, however front-rower Dylan Bendall can certainly hold his head high after an excellent campaign leading the team’s pack.
Blessed with a huge motor, he didn’t come off in three of the five games and showed incredible character to keep charging up the middle.
“It would be wrong of me not to mention the attitude and efforts he put in,” said coach Tim Humphries, who noted that Bendall’s commitment extended to training, with the forward travelling three hours for sessions throughout the season.
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