Jersey Flegg Mid-Year Report Card: Grades, top performers, best young stars for all 12 teams
The Jersey Flegg season is fast approaching finals, and it’s time to rate where each team sits. We grade all 12 teams, looking at their top performers and best young guns for the U21s season so far.
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With the next generation of NRL stars biding their time in Jersey Flegg, the competition has been hot throughout 2023.
With finals on the radar, it’s time for our mid-year report card for all 12 teams as they look to book their spot in the decider.
CANBERRA RAIDERS
Record: 3-9 (11th)
Top performers: Toby Thorburn leads the Raiders well out of dummy half, combining well with Shaun Packer when required. The hooker has enjoyed a promising year. Mitchell Spencer ties things up in the middle of the field at lock and has earned his time in NSW Cup when called upon.
Junior Reps guns: Keahn Skipps has made the move after a strong SG Ball season and has looked really good in the halves. A composed player from Queensland who belongs in this grade. There’s big opinions on Chevy Stewart, and he’s performed well when given his opportunities at the back.
Analysis: With the least wins in the competition, the only way is up for Canberra. Two of those wins have come over the Rabbitohs, who are right in finals contention. Personnel changes have worked against them, which is frustrating given their potential and the young SG Ball core that claimed a minor premiership.
End of year ambitions: Their run home isn’t the most difficult, and they’ll be looking to put some more wins on the board to reward their efforts. They’ve seen some players get their shot in NSW Cup, and with finals a tough ask, getting players valuable experience will be a good measuring stick for their season.
Grade: C-
CANTERBURY BULLDOGS
Record: 8-4 (3rd)
Top performers: Captain Joseph O’Neill up until two weeks ago was with Flegg. He’s stepped up on and off the field in his leadership and has owned that seven jersey. Harry Hayes has gone on to play a handful of NSW Cup games. He’s a versatile talent who can play in the back row, centre or wing, and has good leg speed.
Junior Reps guns: Damon Marshall came down from Queensland at the start of the year and has transitioned into a regular starter. He’s someone big on effort area. Michael Gabrael is a first-year SG Ball player who has made the transition. He has some good speed and evasion, with plenty of time to work on his game.
Analysis: The Bulldogs have started the season well and sit in the top half of the ladder after stringing some good wins together. The boys are starting to take on board what thecoaching staff is teaching, with the club priding themselves on effort-based areas and officials hopeful of more players knocking on the door of NSW Cup.
End of year ambitions: While they are pushing for finals, the main goal for the team is to play consistent footy each week. They want to represent what the Bulldog brand is about and do that well, with results to come. The club wants to stick to their processes and make sure players buy into the little things.
Grade: B+
CRONULLA SHARKS
Record: 9-4 (4th)
Top performers: Lachlan Crouch and Salesi Ataata have been the muscle in the engine room that has propelled Cronulla to success. The front rowers have done a good job in the middle of the field and are a big reason for their ladder position.
Junior Reps guns: Samuel McCullouch has stepped up into the U21s after being a standout in SG Ball. Can find his best on an edge or in the middle. Is a versatile talent who has a lot of leadership qualities as well.
Analysis: While they’ve slipped to 3-4 since starting the year with a perfect 6-0 record, Cronulla has still enjoyed a very strong season that has them poised to contend for a title. Their defence is second best in the competition which is something they hang their hats on, led by a tough forward pack.
End of year ambitions: With wins on the board and a strong roster, the Sharks should be eyeing off the finals and more. They have a very favourable run home and if they can string a few together, they’re a genuine contender. Blooding some more SG Ball talent will also help for the club’s long-term development.
Grade: A-
MANLY SEA EAGLES
Record: 4-9 (12th)
Top performers: Zane Dunford has been one of Manly’s best in the front row and captained the side before an unfortunate season-ending injury. He’ll leave a big hole in the side. Jamie Humphries has transitioned from the halves into hooker and doesn't look out of place in the middle. He’s handled the change well.
Junior Reps guns: Lehi Hopoate has graduated to starting at fullback and has adjusted well to the grind of Flegg, turning in a number of good performances. Broden Konz is a young lock/hooker who has been very solid defensively. His skill level is on the up and ‘Bruiser’ is earning regular selection.
Analysis: With a new coach in Leon Latulipe recently taking over, it has provided some disruption, but also allowed the team to revisit some key areas of core skills, discipline and effort areas. They’ve seen improvements there in recent weeks which is encouraging, and they’ll look to convert those to more wins and move off the bottom of the ladder.
End of year ambitions: They want to keep their improvement going and continue to blood young guys coming through the SG Ball pathway. Their skill level is getting better and they want that improvement at the forefront. They judge their success on seeing their young guys progress through the grades.
Grade: C
MELBOURNE STORM
Record: 7-5 (5th)
Top performers: Keagan Russell-Smith is the captain and has led this side around the park. A meticulous player who has an application to building his game like few other. Sheldon Diaz is the spiritual leader of the side in the front row. Runs at 100 miles an hour and the work he does in the background doesn’t go unnoticed. A Melbourne local.
Junior Reps guns: Suliasi Prescott has jumped in as hooker and has worked hard on his game, in particular the key areas after a moderate SG Ball campaign. Siulagi Pio was another that was mediocre in Ball, but is a big, athletic player who has lifted at this level. A strong wing/centre who continues to improve.
Analysis: The positive is the work ethic of the side. They don’t give up on plays and everything is about effort. With a squad of 30 that is all capable of fighting for a spot, everybody is putting their best foot forward and keeping the 17 on their toes.
End of year ambitions: They want to be rewarded for all the hard work they’ve put in. The Storm know they’ve achieved nothing yet, but want to keep working hard to make sure they finish on a positive, and for them that should be a solid finals run.
Grade: B
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Record: 5-7 (7th)
Top performers: Players coming back from NSW Cup like Thomas Cant, Bailey Hodgson and Oryn Keeley have added a lot of value to the team. Liam Sutton and Mitch Henderson have looked good in the halves when paired, while Jack Cullen and Sebastian Su’a have been very good in the forwards.
Junior Reps guns: Kyle McCarthy on the wing is starting to hit his straps and gets a shot in the centres. Jermaine McEwen is going quite well in the back row while SG Ball captain Myles Martin has made the grade with ease. Malachi Smith also gets his shot after impressing officials at training.
Analysis: They’re right on the edge of the five. While they have had an up and down year, there have been some good things that have them in a hopeful position. A high volume of personnel has been relevant to where they are sitting, but they get a golden chance to consolidate on the promise they have shown.
End of year ambitions: Newcastle is looking to really work hard and finish off in good fashion. They’ve spoken about taking it one game at a time, and with six of their next seven games against higher-ranked opponents, that is their big challenge. If they can aim for five wins, finals will be well on their radars.
Grade: C+
PARRAMATTA EELS
Record: 5-8 (8th)
Top performers: Mac Puafisi has been strong in the halves throughout the year, especially considering he has had a few different pairings in 2023. Captain Jock Brazel is a consistent type in the second row who leads from the front, while Noah Reed has been a constant form of go-forward in the front row.
Junior Reps guns: Richard Penisini has really kicked on from a strong finish to the SG Ball season with some good appearances in the outside backs. He’s a natural talent that looks destined for a NSW Cup spot. Apa Twidle is a talented fullback/five-eighth who is taking his chances.
Analysis: They’ve lost six of their last seven after starting the season really strongly, leaving them in a tough spot. Despite this, they have taken some decent scalps this season and their best footy is enough to challenge for a title. Their run home is challenging, but it gives a promising group the chance to aim up.
End of year ambitions: With the luxury of an SG Ball premiership squad at their disposal, the Eels are still well in the finals race. At worst they should have a number of their team getting minutes in NSW Cup, with these young guns getting a taste of U21s action. Their development should be paramount.
Grade: C+
PENRITH PANTHERS
Record: 8-1-3 (2nd)
Top performers: They’ve worked well as a team, with the likes of Billy Scott, Riley Smith, Sam Lane, Connor Mason, Zac Lipowicz, Sunita Lotoaniu, Harrison Hassett and Daeon Amituanai really performing strongly. A number have been rewarded with debuts in NSW Cup.
Junior Reps guns: Off the back of a good SG Ball season, Timothy Sielaff-Burns, Luron Patea and Billy Phillips have all shown a lot of promise at the higher level. The trio have cemented their spots as regulars within the side, with Sielaff-Burns proving quite handy with the boot as well.
Analysis: They started the season a bit slowly but have enjoyed a good 10-12 weeks. Everyone is buying in and they’re travelling well. The State of Origin period is particularly a tough one to navigate, but it gives their players a good taste of NSW Cup action. They’re happy with their current position but know there’s a long way to go.
End of year ambitions: The Panthers want to keep galvanising as a side and be there at the back end of games and the season. If hey can get through the next four-six weeks, they’re primed to challenge for a title. Officials are also looking to push their talent for NSW Cup opportunities, with the end goal in mind of getting them to that NRL level.
Grade: A-
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Record: 7-1-5 (6th)
Top performers: Romano Cook is into his second year and is the captain of the team. He plays a whole game at hooker, and if Souths didn’t have such depth at the club, he’s be looking at more NSW Cup time. Louis Grossemy and William Abou-Arrage aren’t the biggest front rowers, but have performed week in, week out.
Junior Reps guns: Tyrone Munro got a small taste of Flegg as an 18-year-old last year and has been with the NRL side, recently making his NSW Cup debut. Liam Le Blanc is another that has jumped in at lock. Thomas Fletcher, Haizyn Mellars and Jye Gray are injured but have all stepped into Flegg well this season.
Analysis: They’ve had a solid year after finishing last in 2022. They didn’t do a lot of recruitment with a lot of their players from last year quite young and getting that U21s experience. The Rabbitohs rolled the dice with how they would develop, and to be in the finals hunt is a big improvement.
End of year ambitions: They believe they can crack the top-five if they keep the same side together. A large cohort has another year of Flegg to go. They want to be competitive, but it’s not a win at all costs approach this year. They want an NRL succession and players graduating to NSW Cup, but a finals appearance would be a good tick of the box.
Grade: B
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Record: 4-8 (9th)
Top performers: Campbell Watchirs has been in really strong form in the centres, while winger Ben Rumble has also come along well since round one, and is getting better with every week. Nick Tsougranis has moved up to become a key part of the team, and looks set for a crack at NSW Cup.
Junior Reps guns: Loko Tonga is a Queensland front rower with a lot of potential after a very strong SG Ball season for St George. He has a lot of upside, is a great trainer and wants to learn. Hamish Stewart is another that was solid for Illawarra and also wants to get the most out of this experience.
Analysis: Inconsistency has hurt the club. They put together a strong performance one week, before letting themselves down with too many errors. They’re disappointed with there they sit on the ladder knowing the talent they have. There’s a belief that with the talent within the group, they can be a finals team.
End of year ambitions: Simple things like executing a game plan and remaining consistent are their big focuses for the remainder of 2023. Officials want to break things down into periods of games instead of 35-minute blocks. They want to give themselves a chance to succeed at the end of games, but also want to provide that pathway into NSW Cup, something they pride themselves on.
Grade: C
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Record: 10-3 (1st)
Top performers: A number of senior players that went through Covid have stood tall. Corey Ross, Huga Savala and Phoenix Steinwede had their careers stall during that time but have since been fantastic. Max McCathie is a local that has been a warrior and a real standout in the side, along with Kyron Fekitoa.
Junior Reps guns: In recent weeks the bench has been filled with SG Ball talent. De La Salle Va’a, Salesi Foketi, Ethan Roberts and Benaiah Ioelu are among these young guns. Va’a is also eligible for the U19s again next year.
Analysis: The next-man up mentality has been a big factor for the Roosters’ success. They’ve used over 30 players, but the mentality and camaraderie of the team has made this a non-issue. It’s a legacy that has been instilled at the club for a while, and they’ve got this playing roster feeling at home and playing strong football.
End of year ambitions: They know there’s a couple of teams coming to get them after going under the radar to start the season. But they are focused on remaining close as a team, doing the Roosters proud and keeping the dream alive, both for success this season and as they continue to move up through the grades.
Grade: A
WESTS TIGERS
Record: 4-9 (10th)
Top performers: Josh Feledy came into Flegg early in the season and has been one of the shining lights in the centres, regularly crossing the tryline and proving a threat out wide. Wouldn’t shock if he was to get a taste of NSW Cup. Michael Tannous has fared well in the halves.
Junior Reps guns: Iverson Matai has been strong in the halves since starting the year in Ball with the Bulldogs. Christopher Fa’agutu made the grade recently and also looks a likely type in the middle.
Analysis: The Tigers have shown they can mix it with the best teams throughout the season with wins over Penrith and Melbourne, but player movements at key times have hit them hard. Still, consistency has been an issue at times and something that needs to be addressed coming into the back half of the year.
End of year ambitions: The beauty of this competition means they are still well in the hunt for finals, and if they can consistently put out a similar 17 each week, there’s no reason they shouldn’t be in the finals. The talent is certainly there for them to make a run, and they should also look to graduate more players up to NSW Cup over the concluding weeks.
Grade: C
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