Andrew Johns/Laurie Daley Cup: Top-10 star performers from round three
In a weekend full of stunning comebacks and nailbiting finishes, there were some inspirational performers across the Johns/Daley Cups. Find out who made our top 10 for round three.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
In a round with stunning comebacks, nailbiting finishes and plenty of talking points, there were some inspirational performers across the Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cup competitions.
Find out who our top-10 stars of the week are below.
TUKIA FOTU-MOALA (CENTRAL COAST ROOSTERS)
Proved to be the difference in the Roosters’ 11-try thriller with the North Coast Bulldogs in the Johns Cup after making a break and outrunning the chasing defenders to score in the corner with the final play of the game.
And while that moment stole the headlines, the five-eighth was a handful all game, constantly putting the defence under pressure on the edges and helping to set up the team’s first try of the day.
RICO ELERS (NEWCASTLE-MAITLAND REGION KNIGHTS)
Elers gets the nod for the second week in a row after an outstanding performance for the Knights as they held on to defeat the Titans 26-20 in the Johns Cup.
Playing at fullback this week, Elers linked up well very in Newcastle’s sweeping backline moves, getting two crucial offloads away to set up two tries early in the second half.
He also made great yardage coming out of his own end, notably making a 50m break up the touchline shortly after halftime, which gave his side strong field position and ultimately led to a crucial try.
HUNTER FANGUPO (ILLAWARRA SOUTH COAST DRAGONS)
While a special shout-out should go to five-eighth Tyler Lewis and lock Sam Duffy for their excellent performances, front-rower Fangupo was the rock that held the pack together during the Dragons’ thrilling 20-12 victory over Macarthur in the Johns Cup.
From big hit-ups to rock-solid defence, the big prop was outstanding as he laid the platform for Illawarra to take the lead early in the game. It’s no surprise the Tigers scored their tries while he was off the field, with Fangupo coming back on to tighten things up in the middle and help his side seal the win.
MARLOWE YOUNG (MONARO COLTS)
He might give up plenty of size, but the Monaro lock was immense in his side’s thrilling 28-24 come-from-behind victory over Western in the Johns Cup.
Whether he be taking hard carries or acting as a good link man in the middle, Young was in the thick of the action as the Colts scored three late tries to storm home, with the lock finishing with one try and four crucial goals.
KOBHAN NEAN (NORTHERN TIGERS)
In a game of fine margins, the Tigers’ fullback came up with some big plays in Northern’s 20-16 win over Riverina in the Johns Cup.
Nean showed off his ballplaying skills after linking well with his halves to help set up two tries and could well have had a third assist, however the final ball was called forward.
He also came up with some crucial interventions without the ball, notably pulling off an important chargedown as the Bulls made a break up field and sought a winner late in the game.
TOBY BATTEN (NORTH COAST BULLDOGS)
One of the Bulldogs’ best over the first couple of weeks of the season, Batten was outstanding as his side saw off a spirited comeback to down the Roosters 36-24 in the Daley Cup.
The classy halfback had a hand in everything in the early stages in particular, stepping and palming his way over for the first try of the game and coming up with two try assists from kicks to set his side up for the crucial win.
LYNTON CLOSE (NORTHERN RIVERS TITANS)
The crafty five-eighth came up with a string of clutch plays as the Titans saw off a resilient Newcastle side in a hard-fought 26-16 win in the Daley Cup.
Close’s day out started early on when he was in the right place at the right time to score the team’s first try after an excellent chargedown from teammate Jett Flatley.
He followed this up with a nice inside ball to put Thomas Welman over midway through the first half before a centimetre-perfect bomb and dangerous grubber and chase gave the Titans’ multiple sets on the Knights’ line, which ultimately led to the team’s third.
Then with the game in the balance and his team under the pump late on at 18-16, the playmaker put on a clever blindside play to charge up field, before forced an error out of the Knights in defence, from which the Titans scored to seal the result.
JACK TALBOTT (ILLAWARRA SOUTH COAST DRAGONS)
The fullback came up some absolutely crucial plays in the Dragons’ incredible 26-22 come-from-behind win over Macarthur in the Daley.
After a sluggish start that saw the side trail 10-0 early on, Talbott put on a stunning turn of pace to slice through the Tigers’ defence before stepping his way past the fullback to score a brilliant 45m effort.
Meanwhile in the second half, with the team down 22-10, the fullback laid on a nice cut-out ball for teammate Archie Wheeler to score and kickstart the team’s epic comeback.
BRAYDEN MCGARRY (WESTERN RAMS)
The winger had a golden day out in Mudgee as he ran in a first-half hat-trick in the Rams’ 22-18 win over Monaro in the Daley Cup.
Sitting on the end of a lethal right edge, McGarry was in the right place at the right time to finish off his first two before backing up brilliantly and showing plenty of speed capitalise on an excellent break from teammate Logan Coombes for his third.
LEIF DIETRICH (NORTHERN TIGERS)
With scores locked at 4-all midway through the first half of the Tigers’ clash with Riverina, the big five-eighth turned the game on its head with a wonderful display of ballrunning.
Receiving the ball five metres short of halfway, Dietrich showed great speed to burst through some patchy defence before drawing in the last defender and passing on to Dustin Wyrzykowski to score under the sticks.
Five minutes later he was at it again, slicing through the line and finishing the job himself as the Tigers chalked up their first win of the season.
Double trouble! Twin sisters out to confuse rivals – and refs – in Super Rugby W
They are sisters who share an identical goal with the Waratahs and will be the bane of referees across their sport as they live out a dream of playing Super Rugby W together.
Hawkins opens up on return to country footy
Tom Hawkins is set for at least two appearances in local and country footy this season. He opens up on returning to community level and what to expect.