Luke Lewis Cup: 40+ stars on show as Cronulla, Penrith face-off at Windsor
In the battle of east and west, the top A-graders from the Shire and Penrith will aim to get both hands on the Luke Lewis Cup this Saturday at Windsor. Meet 40+ stars on show.
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In the annual battle of east and west, the top A-graders from the Shire and Penrith will aim to get both hands on the Luke Lewis Cup this Saturday at Windsor.
Now in its second season, Tom Romer’s Panthers Juniors can expect a tough battle to retain the trophy against an Andrew Fifita inspired Cronulla Juniors.
Ahead of the big clash, we profile every player before the squads are trimmed for kick off.
PANTHERS JUNIORS
BENJAMIN BRAGG (COLYTON COLTS)
Hooker
An experienced technician around the ruck, the Colyton skipper is a crafty hooker who knows how to find the stripe.
BLAKE MINDIPI (CAMBRIDGE PARK)
Utility
The former PNG rugby sevens international doesn’t need a second invitation to explode into the back field. Super zippy, the Cambridge Park fullback is just as effective out of dummy half.
BRENDON HEARNE (EMU PLAINS)
Back row
The hard running second rower has been an instant hit since arriving at Emu this season. Passionate and competitive.
BRYSON DEMANUELE (ST CLAIR COMETS)
Hooker
Another from last year’s squad, the Comets’ dashing No.9 combines pace with game day smarts and can also kick goals.
DAMIAN RICHARDSON (ST CLAIR)
Utility
A quality all-round player, the St Clair fullback will call on his experience from the Ron Massey Cup. In addition to playing in the No.1 jumper, he has the skills to direct the traffic in the halves.
DAMON FINN (COLYTON COLTS)
Five-eighth
Mr Reliable in the halves, the Colyton playmaker combines a superb short and long kicking game with efficient service around the middle.
DAVID SISIFA (ST CLAIR)
Back row/centre
An imposing presence on the edge, David is a big game player who captained Brothers to last season’s Sydney Shield title.
DEAN BARNES (EMU PLAINS)
Prop
An off-season addition to an already formidable Emu Plains pack, the hard running former Sydney Shield prop leaves nothing in the tank and is one to watch from close range.
ETON LINDSAY (WINDSOR WOLVES)
Prop/Back row
Highly respected in the Penrith comp, the tireless Windsor captain leaves no stone unturned to help teammates achieve centrefield dominance.
FRANK TOOMALATAI (WINDSOR WOLVES)
Lock
Another with Massey Cup on the resume, Frank is a gifted ball-playing middle with enough pace and power to punch holes in the middle.
GREG ALDERSON (EMU PLAINS)
Utility
Arguably the buy of last season, Greg was prominent in Emu Plains’ second straight title. A colossus at left centre, he can also cover the back row and call the shots in the halves.
ISAAC THOMPSON (EMU PLAINS)
Five-eighth
The premiership winning playmaker is among the top players in the Penrith competition. Silky skilled, the former NSW Cup rep started last season’s match in the No.7.
JESHUA MAA-NELSON (WINDSOR WOLVES)
Winger
Easy to spot in his headgear, Jeshua is a proven force on Windsor’s right edge. Loves a tough carry, and doesn’t need much room to finish off.
JESSE POULSEN (COLYTON COLTS)
Fullback
After finishing with a try in last season’s victory in the Shire, the free-running fullback delivered on his pathways experience in the local Penrith grand final, bagging a double to be named player-of-the-match.
JOHN FAIUMU (ST MARYS)
Utility
Boasting 60 NSW Cup appearances, the St Marys skipper has been a central figure in the club’s revival on the A-grade scene. Has the size to play in the pack and the finesse to strike fear in the halves.
JYE BOLT (COLYTON COLTS)
Centre
Combining height and strength, Jye has made a strong start to the season since arriving at Colyton. The skilful centre has scored four tries across the opening rounds.
KOBE KING (ST CLAIR COMETS)
Back row
The Comets backrower picks his moments in attack. Started off the bench for Panthers Juniors last season, and can be counted on to deliver again 12 months later.
KYLE KING-BIRD (ST CLAIR)
Halfback
A gifted half with Jersey Flegg experience, Kyle joined St Clair this season and won’t let anyone down if given a chance. Still buzzing after kicking the Comets to victory with a clutch field goal last month.
LACHLANN CROSSLEY (CAMBRIDGE PARK)
Prop
The highly respected Cambo captain is a reliable worker through the middle. Goes all day and possess a decent offload.
LUKE MCDONALD (WINDSOR)
Wing/centre
A standout in last season’s victory in the Shire, the long striding outside back is tough to contain and is a proven finisher.
PENITA TUAVAO (ST MARYS)
Prop
A hard working tradesman upfront, the St Marys enforcer hits the line at pace and has been among the top props across the opening rounds.
RAYMOND MIKAELE (BROTHERS)
Prop
In a squad flush with rampaging middles, Raymond more than holds his own. Joined Brothers this year from Ryde-Eastwood Sydney Shield.
RHYS FALCONER (CAMBRIDGE PARK)
Lock
The ball-playing lock was an initial member of last season’s squad. Offers utility value off the bench, and doesn’t mind the rough and tumble in the middle.
SIONE FIFITA (DOONSIDE ROOS)
Centre/winger
A menacing centre for Doonside in Penrith’s second-tier comp, Sione used his size and power to cross four times in a match last month.
STEPHEN FIFITA (DOONSIDE ROOS)
Centre/winger
Just like his brother Sione, Stephen is a regular on the scoresheet for Doonside. After eight rounds, the Roos winger has crossed on 11 occasions.
TOM ROMER (EMU PLAINS)
Lock
Everything the tough-as-nails middle touches turns to gold. Tom will forever be etched in history as the first captain to lift the Luke Lewis Cup, and on the local scene, he has led Emu Plains to consecutive titles.
COACH: COL MURPHY (WINDSOR)
ASSISTANTS: DENNIS CURRY (WINDSOR), TODD COUNCILLOR (COLYTON), JAMES
THEOHAROUS (EMU PLAINS)
CRONULLA JUNIORS
NICK PANTELLIS (GYMEA GORILLAS)
Fullback
Pantellis, a slippery fullback for the ladder-leading Gymea Gorillas, possesses a sharp turn of pace and consistently hovers around the ruck, ready to pounce on any half-chance
HARRISON COX (BOSCO BULLDOGS)
Wing
The experienced outside back boasts exceptional speed and possesses the skills of a fullback, with the ability to handle and defuse any tricky situation.
CAMERON GOODGER (DE LA SALLE CARINGBAH)
Centre
Brings steel to Cronulla’s edge and rarely misses his mark in defence. Will be better for last year’s appearance on the wing.
MAUI WALLACE (ST JOSEPHS)
Wing
A no-nonsense winger with a strong carry and damaging left-arm fend, Wallace will be called upon to get Cronulla rolling out of trouble.
CEIZA JAMES (TAREN POINT)
Five-eighth
The gifted playmaker doesn’t need a second invite to race through a gap. Knows what it takes to win after helping Joeys claim back-to-back titles in 2023-24, and can kick goals too.
JACK TAPER (DE LA SALLE CARINGBAH)
Halfback
A little general in attack, Taper has a big voice and likes to coordinates the attack, launching raids on either side of the ruck.
LEVI OSEI (ST JOSEPHS)
Prop
A man mountain in the middle, the rising prop is difficult to miss. In 2023, Levi was a member of the Melbourne Storm pathways program.
JORDAN MCGRATH (BOSCO BULLDOGS)
Hooker
A thinking No.9 who can also play lock, McGrath offers reliable service and picks his moments to have a scoot.
ANDREW FIFITA (DE LA SALLE CARINGBAH)
Prop
Famously powered Cronulla to a maiden NRL title, and now gets his chance to claim the team’s first Luke Lewis Cup. Still an imposing presence on the local scene, Fifita will leave nothing in the tank at Windsor.
ABRAHAM PETERS (BOSCO BULLDOGS)
Back row
Will still be feeling the burn of last year’s defeat at Sylvania. A figurehead upfront with a big engine, Peters has the legs for the entire journey.
BEN MABON (DE LA SALLE CARINGBAH)
Lock
A hard working lock with experience in the Sharks pathways, Mabon is a fearsome competitor sporting size and aggression to challenge the best in centrefield.
JAMAINE MELCHIOR (COMO JANNALI CROCODILES)
Prop
A reliable force in the middle, the big prop started last season’s contest on the bench. Capable of big minutes, his strength could prove factor in the closing stages.
DALLAS COLLINS (GYMEA GORILLAS)
Utility forward
A former regular in junior reps, Collins is capable of holding his own in the middle and has enough speed and nous to trouble edge defenders.
FYNN PERRYMAN (ENGADINE DRAGONS)
Utility
A former Como Croc who is equally capable at lock or in the halves, Fynn showed his class with a try in last season’s local grand final.
FALE LUALUA (DE LA SALLE CARINGBAH)
Middle
A nuggety forward with a low centre of gravity, Lualua is difficult to handle with a head of steam. Doesn’t mind a sneaky offload either.
JORDAN BRADLEY (GYMEA GORILLAS)
prop
Deceptive for a big man, Jordan combines tidy footwork at the line and keeps defenders guessing with a nice turn of pace and a two handed carry.
MARCO TETEVANO (COMO JANNALI CROCODILES)
Wing
A powerful winger who thrives in heavy collisions, Tetevano will be eager to repeat the spectacular try he scored in last season’s clash.
COACH: WADE FORRESTER
MANAGER: KEITH O’GRADY
ASSISTANTS: MARK O’KEEFE, CRAIG MAGEE
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