Macarthur Conference rugby league: 2022 Player signings Camden Rams, Campbelltown City Kangaroos
Former NRL player and four-time Picton Magpies premiership player Michael Lett has signed on for 2022. Find out why he has returned to the nest. See all the latest player movements here:
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During the dominant Picton Magpies era – which included four Group 6 premierships and six grand final appearances – former NRL player Michael Lett was a key cog in the powerhouse outfit.
The fullback played his last game for the Magpies as captain-coach in the 2019 grand final defeat to cross-town rivals Thirlmere Roosters and after Covid disrupted the following year’s competition, Lett said he planned on hanging up the boots for good.
“After Covid hit and Picton didn’t play in 2020, I thought I was going to retire,” he said.
A short-term move to the south coast for work saw Lett return to the field this season for his junior club, the Narooma Devils, where he “got the love back” for rugby league.
On his return to the Macarthur region, Lett called Magpies’ president Gary Dowse and said his 34-year-old legs were ready for one more season.
“The club is a really good club and I love that I’m mates with all the boys so I thought I would come home and finish up and see if we can bring the trophy home.”
Lett said he expected the new-look Macarthur Conference would lead to a stronger competition and was confident Picton would give the premiership a mighty shake.
“I wouldn’t run out there and think that we are going to lose every game,” he said. “I’m pretty confident we will be pretty competitive.”
Follow every player signing for the 2022 season:
CAMDEN RAMS
Sitting mid-table when the Group 6 competition was abandoned earlier this year, Camden Rams are out to make amends and aim for a premiership title.
With 2021 captain-coach Jarrod Brackenhofer departing the club for a NSW Cup opportunity, returning five-eigth Brad Speechley and Camden Rams junior and Italy international Mason Cerruto will captain-coach the first grade team together.
The club has made two key signings for the 2022 campaign including former Canterbury Bulldogs player Danny Fualalo and the return of former premiership-winning halfback and Rams junior Jackson Willis.
Fualalo is a hard-running middle forward who donned Canterbury’s famous blue and white jersey 73 times at an NRL level after debuting in 2015.
The 27-year-old came through the Bulldogs pathways as a junior and has previously represented NSW under 18s and NSW Residents.
Fualalo played for his junior club Cabramatta Two Blues in this year’s Ron Massey Cup season and is tipped to be a force in the 2021 Macarthur Conference.
Ex-NRL centre Tim Lafai, who took to Kirkham Park this year for the Rams, has not yet put pen to paper.
The club expects to retain the bulk of the 2021 squad.
2022 signings: Danny Fualalo, Jackson Willis
Re-signings: Mason Cerutto (captain-coach), Brad Speechley (captain-coach)
FULL STORY – ‘Excited to build something’: New coaching duo to lead Rams
CAMPBELLTOWN CITY KANGAROOS
Campbelltown City Kangaroos, the oldest club in the competition with more than 100 years of history, is preparing to field nine senior teams in the Macarthur Conference for the 2022 season.
The first grade team will once again be coached by Mick Stevens and has been bolstered by new signings including Poasa Telepe, who most recently played SG Ball for Wests Magpies and came through the Melbourne Storm academy.
Josh Lomani, a member of the 2020 squad, will return to the club for 2022 after a year working in Western Australia and will be joined by new signing Joey Romeo.
2022 signings: Joseph Romeo, Poasa Telepe, Josh Lomani
Re-signings: Che Te Rangi, Adam Denniss, Semi Rabici, Grant Kembrey, Anthony Leatham, Bradley Bishop, Braith MacKenzie
CAMPBELLTOWN COLLEGIANS
The club is looking to make a mark in the Macarthur Conference with Glen Debono at the helm as first grade coach.
Most recently, Collegians have announced the signings of Kaio Lopesi and Sam Manuleleua for next season.
Former Collies juniors have also put pen to paper to be part of the 2022 campaign including Daniel Muir (2009-2014), Adam Hoffmann (2003-2014), Seru Tamani (2003-2014, 2020), Elijah Sa (2012-2014), PJ Leifi (2009-2014), Jye Wood (2003-2014), Tuaahu Kumeroa and Levi Taavao.
Julius Taavao, who played junior representative football for Wests Magpies in 2013 and 2015, has also returned to his junior club.
2022 Signings: Daniel Muir, Adam Hoffmann, Seru Tamani, Tuaahu Kumeroa, Levi Taavao, Julius Taavao, Elijah Sa, PJ Leifi, Jye Wood, Kaio Lopesi, Sam Manuleleua
EAST CAMPBELLTOWN EAGLES
The Eagles have announced the first signings for the 2022 Macarthur Conference with 10 familiar faces returning to the fold.
The first grade outfit’s best and fairest for the past three consecutive seasons, Grant Lahey, has returned after lifting silverware with the club in 2012 (Group 6) and 2018 (Sydney Shield).
One-time Eagles junior Luke Williams has re-signed with the club, a dynamic player who has previously played at a NSW Cup and Ron Massey Cup level.
Baden Stewart, who played in the 2018 Sydney Shield premiership team and has previously represented Wests Magpies, will also return to the club.
Other players to recommit for the 2022 campaign are Mason Talolua, Brett Lahey, Jarryd Eggleton, Sean Connor, Chris Sutherland, Kobe Chamberlain and Alex Potifara.
Head coach Richard Barnes will lead the club for his 16th straight season as they return to Macarthur Conference.
“We are here for nothing else but to win it,” Barnes said.
“We know every other team are going to put us out in front, they are probably going to see us as the benchmark before we even get there. We know the pressure is going to be on us but we don’t expect anything less.”
Re-signings: Grant Lahey, Luke Williams, Baden Stewart, Mason Talolua, Brett Lahey, Jarryd Eggleton, Alex Potifara, Sean Connor, Chris Sutherland, Kobe Chamberlain
FULL STORY – ‘Here to win’: How unhappy break-up will drive Eagles return
MITTAGONG LIONS
No signings announced.
NARELLAN JETS
The Jetters haven’t wasted any time in preparation for the 2022 season with new coach Fred Borg taking the reins for the first time.
The first grade assistant coach for Narellan Jets this season, Borg has won an under 18s and reserve grade premiership in recent years.
The new coach has had 18 players sign on to take the field in the blue and white next season.
2022 signings: Lachlan Deeth, Daniel Mati-Leifi, Tyrone Harding, Willy Taiti-Taanoa, Freddy Kini, Jarrod Tompkins, Kolinio Saukuru
Re-signings: Kynan English, Leon Longbottom, Baylee Brennan, Tinetali Papalii, Luke Cowley, Josh Galvin, Joshua Campbell, Henry Lealuga-Puhotau, Nathan Wilkins, Jermaine Mati-Leifi, Marcus Moore, Ali Moataane, Brandon Burky, Filemu Logai-Iusiano, John-Wesley Boath-Moananu, Jackson Kuli, Jake Johnson, Jerome Washbourne.
OAKDALE WORKERS
No signings announced.
PICTON MAGPIES
The proud club has moved in a fresh direction for the 2022 season with Jake Tonitto announced as first grade coach.
Tonitto is no stranger to Group 6 having previously taken the field for The Oaks Tigers and Warragamba Wombats and been involved with the Narellan Jets in a coaching capacity.
The rising mentor has built a formidable coaching resume in recent years with experience in the elite pathway systems of the Penrith Panthers and Wests Tigers, coaching Minchinbury Jets to an A Grade minor premiership in 2020.
Since taken charge, Tonitto hasn’t wasted time recruiting new talent to the side in NSW Cup player James Tautaiolefua, along with retaining the services of Steve Dengate, Matt White and Ragen Gilbert.
Most importantly, the club has signed on former premiership winners Anthony Provost, Michael Lett, Tim Dengate and Billy Carroll.
2022 signings: James Tautaiolefua, Anthony Provost, Michael Lett, Oscar Chong-Nee, Diamond Chong-Nee
Re-signings: Steve Dengate, Matt White, Ragen Gilbert, Tim Dengate, Billy Carroll, Harry Foster, Daniel Payne, Lachlan Whitehouse
SOUTH WEST GOANNAS
No signings announced.
THE OAKS TIGERS
The Tigers have been active in the player market as they build the foundation for a premiership tilt in 2022.
The club, who were crowned club champions in this year’s abandoned Group 6 competition, have retained the services of head coach Nick Crouch for a second successive season.
Middle forward Evrett Vaurasi, who has previously played at a NSW Cup level, has signed on for a rugby league return next season alongside former Camden Rams’ hooker Ben Quinlan.
The club will also welcome Jake Bentley.
Eleven of this year’s first grade squad have already put pen to paper for a return to Dudley Chesham Oval for 2022.
2022 signings: Evrett Vaurasi, Ben Quinlan, Jake Bentley
Re-signings: Bailey King, Kyle Bell, Kyal Greene, Cameron Graham, Michael Midson, Dan Smith, Luke Gibson, Daniel Bell, Nathan Rumsby, Cooper Smith, Josh Morgan, Levi Dodd, Ben Scambary, Cody Ral
FULL STORY – From pretenders to contenders: How Tigers became club champs
THIRLMERE ROOSTERS
Thirlmere Roosters, one of the most dominant clubs in the Group 6 competition in recent years, have signed a new head coach with Jason Ferris to take the wheel for the 2022 campaign.
The former top-grade halfback who played more than 120 matches for the Canberra Raiders, Cronulla Sharks and Manly-Warringah between 1996 and 2003, will join the club after two decades playing and coaching bush rugby league.
Most recently, Ferris coached Oakey Bears to a wooden spoon in the competitive Toowoomba Rugby League competition.
No signings have been announced but the club has previously indicated a priority on retaining players for the 2022 season.
Former NRL player and Narellan Jets 2021 captain Peni Terepo is understood to be in talks with the club.
FULL STORY – Ex-NRL player wins Thirlmere Roosters coaching gig
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