Country Rugby League: The major contenders for the 2024 Clayton Cup
It’s the most prestigious trophy in country rugby league. As finals footy kicks off around the state, find out who’s in the running for this year’s Clayton Cup.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Clayton Cup is the most prestigious team trophy in NSW country rugby league.
Established in 1937 after a trophy was donated by rugby league administrator Reub Clayton, the cup is awarded to the best-performing first grade team in any regional NSWRL competition, with teams having to play in the highest level of competition in their respective area to be eligible.
It sees sides from different competitions around the state measured against each other, with the win/loss record considered the main criteria for deciding on a winner. If teams have similar or identical records, then points difference, the number of games played and any other relevant information can be used to determine a winner.
As country competitions head into the 2024 finals series, we’ve taken a look at the main contenders for this year’s Clayton Cup.
MAJOR CONTENDERS
CAMDEN RAMS
Competition: Macarthur Rugby League
Record: 15 wins, one forfeit received, zero losses (+569)
Story so far: It has been close to a faultless campaign from Camden, who has dominated the strong Macarthur competition in 2024.
Premiers in 2022 and minor premiers last year – who were pipped in the grand final 28-26 by Thirlmere in a surprise result – the Rams have benefited from a stable line-up that features arguably the best pack in the competition.
Led by halfback and captain-coach Brad Speechley and bolstered by key new recruit Trent Peoples, who played two NRL games for Souths in 2022, the side has simply wiped away the opposition this year and lead the competition by seven points with one round of the regular season remaining.
While they have piled on 689 points, where the team has really set itself apart is in defence, having conceded a miserly 120 points in 15 games – at an average of just eight per game.
Road ahead: While the minor premiership was wrapped up several weeks ago, the Rams will enjoy a week off in the first round of the finals before playing for a spot in the decider.
And although Camden has been by far the best team in the current campaign, the Rams’ biggest challenge is set to come from The Oaks Tigers or Oakdale Workers Bears.
SCONE THOROUGHBREDS
Competition: Group 21
Record: 15 wins, zero losses (+594)
Story so far: It has been utter domination from the Hunter Valley big guns, who have won all 15 of their games in 2024. It continues a recent run that has seen the side win five of the past six Group 21 premierships and take out the Clayton Cup for the second time in 2022 after a stunning, undefeated season.
With former Newcastle and Canberra hooker Adam Clydesdale running the show out of dummy-half, the Thoroughbreds appear on track to emulate their exploits as the team sits nine points clear at the top of competition with one round remaining.
As an example of how far ahead of the competition the team is, Scone’s points scored are nearly double that of its nearest rival Greta-Branxton (754 v 382), while the next-best defensive side has conceded almost twice as many points as the Thoroughbreds (160 v 308). Highlighting the team’s dominance, Scone players occupy the top-five positions in the leading tryscorers’ list.
Road ahead: After defeating second-placed Greta-Branxton 38-18 in the final round of the regular season, Scone will line up against the Colts again in the first week of the finals.
While Greta-Branxton, who took out last year’s minor premiership, appear to be Scone’s biggest threat, the Thoroughbreds have had no problem wiping them away so far this year. Instead, the team seems to have had the most trouble overcoming fourth-placed Muswellbrook, who pushed the side all the way in a 38-34 thriller in round 13.
IN WITH A SHOUT
ERINA EAGLES
Competition: Rugby League Central Coast
Record: 12 wins, one game forfeited, zero losses (+314)
Story so far: It has been an outstanding season for the Eagles, who have somewhat defied expectations to be sitting well clear at the top of the strong Central Coast competition.
Despite being knocked off in the past two grand finals and claiming the 2022 minor premiership, there was a sense at the beginning of the year among some footy fans that the loss of key players Nick Newman and Noah Easton to The Entrance, coupled with some of the big-name signings at rival clubs, would have made 2024 a more difficult campaign for Erina.
However the young Eagles have risen above the rest with an attractive brand of footy that has worked extremely well for the fit and mobile team, who have won all 12 games played and claimed the minor premiership with one round of the regular season remaining.
While Erina has won all of its games, it doesn’t mean that the season has been straightforward. The heavy autumn rains washed out two of the team’s fixtures, while the club forfeited its round 10 clash with Woy Woy in protest to a violent incident involving their opponents’ players and fans earlier in the season.
Road ahead: With one game left in the regular season, Erina takes on its grand finals nemesis of recent years Toukley in a final round blockbuster.
The Hawks, along with The Entrance, loom as the biggest threats to the Eagles as the side looks to end two years of anguish by winning the grand final.
Although the forfeit has put Erina half a step behind the main contenders, the Eagles may storm back into Clayton Cup calculations if any of the above sides slip up in the finals.
MOREE BOARS
Competition: Group 4
Record: 15 wins, one loss (+460)
Story so far: After claiming last year’s minor premiership before agonisingly losing the grand final to North Tamworth, the Boars have totally blitzed the field in Group 4 this season and appear driven to go one better in 2024.
A scintillating attacking side that has racked up an incredible 752 points in 16 games, it is perhaps no surprise that wingers Jake Tighe and Dereik Newman are well in front of the tryscoring charts with 24 and 19 respectively, with teammate Mark Pegus in fourth with 15.
The side was barely challenged throughout the first 14 rounds of the season, however it has faced some sterner tests in recent times, defeating both Kootingal Moonbi and Boggabri by just six points and going down to Werris Creek 40-32 over the course of its last three games. Nevertheless, the Moree side finished the regular season six points clear of second place.
Road ahead: After enjoying the luxury of a last-round bye to freshen up before the finals, the Boars will take on Werris Creek in the major semi-final as they hope to book a spot in the decider.
Looking ahead, Werris Creek or Kootingal Moonbi appear to be the biggest challengers as Moree looks to break its 22-year premiership drought and end North Tamworth’s run of eight-straight grand final wins.
GERRINGONG LIONS
Competition: Group 7
Record: 14 wins, one forfeit received, one loss (+324)
Story so far: While there might not have been too many putting Gerringong in Clayton Cup contention after the team suffered a 22-4 loss to rivals Shellharbour Sharks back in round eight, the Lions have since gone on an outstanding run of nine straight wins.
Indeed, the team got some revenge on the Sharks with an 18-10 victory a fortnight ago that saw it surge to the top of the ladder with just one round of the regular season remaining. The Lions then hammered Kiama 36-6 to claim the minor premiership by one point.
And while Gerringong would still need other teams across the state to lose in order to have a chance of lifting the Clayton Cup, the side could keep itself in contention if it goes through the rest of the season undefeated to claim its second-straight premiership.
Indeed, with veteran pair Rixon Russell and Nathan Ford – who have won a remarkable six premierships together for the club – leading the side, the Lions have plenty of big-game experience heading into the business of the end of the season.
Road ahead: After claiming the minor premiership, the Lions have secured a week off and passage straight through to the grand final qualifier, with last year’s grand final opponents the Shellharbour Sharks at this stage looming as the biggest challengers.
MUDGEE DRAGONS
Competition: Peter McDonald Premiership
Record: 14 wins, one loss (+286)
Story so far: After kicking off the season with a shocker by going down to Orange CYMS 46-22, the Dragons have been the top side in the Peter McDonald Premiership, which combines the former Group 10 and 11 competitions.
The team has gone on to win 14 games straight to claim the minor premiership, with Mudgee only seriously tested on a couple of occasions in what has been a comprehensive season. The Dragons took their good form into the finals, downing Bathurst St Pats 48-16 over the weekend to earn a week off and spot in the preliminary final.
After finishing top of the Group 10 side of the draw in the first two years of the competition in 2022 and 2023, before losing last year’s grand final, Mudgee will be determined to finally win the big one this year.
Road ahead: With a week off, the Dragons will be able to rest any niggles after easily winning their first finals match, with the team to play for a spot in the grand final next weekend.
And while Dubbo CYMS and the Parkes Spacemen are likely considered the biggest threats to the title, the Dragons will go in as PMP favourites and will be hoping for some upsets in other competitions to give the side a sniff of claiming the Clayton Cup.
COOLAH ROOS
Competition: Castlereagh League
Record: 11 wins, one forfeit received, one loss (+333)
Story so far: One of the leading contenders for the Clayton Cup all year, the Roos slumped to their first loss of the season over the weekend, going down to Cobar 22-18 in the major semi-final.
The defeat has put a tiny dent in what has been one of the stories of 2024, with Coolah not only returning to the Castlereagh League – formerly known as Group 14 – after folding in 2018, but dominating the competition to go through the regular season undefeated en route to the minor premiership.
It is very much a Burgess family affair for the Roos, with brothers Chanse, Casey, Austin and Jake playing in the side and dad Steve running the team from the sidelines on match day. The family has been central to getting the cub back on its feet after a seven-year hiatus.
After attracting some former local juniors who had been playing in the Peter McDonald Premiership, Coolah has been the standout side that has had the ability to rack up big scores while also grinding out tight wins.
Road ahead: Following its tough major semi loss, the Roos will take on third-placed Narromine in the preliminary final this weekend as it looks to book a spot in the decider.
Join the conversation
‘100 per cent’: First look at young rugby players touted as future Wallabies
They have been rivals some days, teammates on others and now this close-knit group of young rugby players will share the honour of wearing an Australian uniform for the first time.
Read more
NRRRL: Vote for the team of the year
After a huge season in the NRRRL, it’s time to reflect on who shone in 2024. Have your say for who should be in the people’s choice team of the year.
Read more