‘Enforcer’ Leeroy Weatherall hunting Harold Matthews Cup glory with Illawarra Steelers on back of breakout 2023 season

He’s the younger brother of an NRLW star who’s looking to pave his own path to the top flight with the Illawarra Steelers. Meet emerging enforcer Leeroy Weatherall and see why you should keep an eye on him.

Leeroy Weatherall of the Illawarra Steelers. Photo: Allan Barry

Last year Leeroy Weatherall was playing a year young in his first dose of Illawarra Steelers junior rep footy, operating mostly off the bench as an impact substitute.

This year, he’s returning for a second stint of Harold Matthews Cup footy and ready to take the competition by storm with a refreshed attitude and sense of responsibility.

“I’m looking forward to leading the boys this year,” Weatherall said.

“I know that feeling of playing while being a year young, so now it’s my job to look after those boys, get them ready and prepared for the year ahead.”

Weatherall has always been footy-mad, not really having much of a choice in the matter, with his whole family playing the game.

Leeroy Weatherall of the Illawarra Steelers. Picture: Supplied

He’s the younger brother of Dragons NRLW forward Maddison Weatherall, who also came through the Illawarra Steelers system, captaining the Tarsha Gale Cup squad to a premiership in 2019, before making her NRLW debut the same year.

“She gives me a lot of motivation to keep going,” Weatherall said about his sister.

“She trains so hard and keeps doing what she loves and that’s got her to where she is today.

“It’s definitely good to know I’m in the right place with the Steelers to potentially get to the top level.”

Maddison Weatherall in action for the Dragons in the NRLW. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

The footy-side of his family doesn’t end with sister Maddison, as his brother Zaan and cousin Ben are both coming off the back of a tremendous season with the Stingrays of Shellharbour in Group 7.

A Western Suburbs Devils junior, Weatherall operates mostly out of the second row, but can also do shifts in lock or the front line.

His coach at the Steelers in 2023, Aaron McDonald, said that having been playing a year up, Weatherall showed very promising signs for a healthy career in the junior rep scene.

“It’s one of the reasons we utilised him off the bench, to develop him and get him ready for a main man role this season,” McDonald said.

“He came with a bit of a reputation as an enforcer on the field.

“I see a future in the front row, however he’s fairly versatile, he’s got a good passing game and good vision with the footy that could see him go on the edge or back row.

“I think his biggest impact moving forward will be through the middle though, getting his team on the front foot and leading in defence as well.

“We’re super happy with his progress, he’s one to keep an eye on for sure.”

Leeroy Weatherall represented City under-16s in 2023. Picture: Bryden Sharp

On the back of a stellar maiden Harold Matthews Cup campaign, Weatherall was called up to the City under-16s side to take on Country in May, once again operating off the bench.

“That was a great experience, it was my first getaway with a rep team, all the boys were great and we were treated really well,” Weatherall said.

Returning to club footy with the Devils, Weatherall was able to ride the confidence wave of his representative exposure, steering his side to a minor premiership before eventually being crowned their player of the year.

“He matured and learned a lot from his rep season, that’s why we made him one of our captains,” Devils under-16s coach Brad Reh said.

Leeroy Weatherall of the Illawarra Steelers. Picture: Supplied

“The size of him and the sheer strength is what causes oppositions trouble, he leads the way through action.

“I think lock suits him best, he likes being in the middle and in the action. But he can run a good line and be lethal out wide from an edge as well.”

While it’s up in the air as to where Weatherall will be lining up on the field this season, no doubt the youngster is set to return to Harold Matthews rep footy with a bang in Steelers colours.

“I’m confident about the season, I couldn’t say there’s a person in our team that’s lazy, everyone’s giving 100%, showing up early and doing the extras,” Weatherall said.

“I’m just trying to better myself everyday, make a name for the Steelers here, keep working hard and hopefully make the NRL one day.”