Macarthur Rugby League: 20+ junior reps to shine in local first grade footy
For many of Macarthur’s rising rugby league stars the conclusion of junior reps has opened the door for a return to local footy. Meet the 20+ youngsters to play first grade in 2024.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Widely recognised among the premier competitions in the state, the Macarthur Rugby League continues to be a stepping stone for the code’s top talent.
Far from being a one-way street to NRL clubs, many juniors selected in pathways programs often return to upskill in the senior grades.
The Oaks Tigers are one of a host clubs to enjoy the mutual benefits. With three players returning after SG Ball Cup (under-19s) commitments with Western Suburbs and Balmain, the Tigers have added depth to a squad gearing up for another finals campaign.
For captain-coach Mitchell Brasington, it’s a telling process.
“It shows the strength of the Macarthur competition,” said Brasington of a comp that at last count includes 15 former NRL stars.
“The fact that Wests Tigers officials let the junior reps play grade shows the faith they have in the clubs and standard of play.
“Football in the pathways competitions is usually played very fast and at a high skill level. But it’s not as physical as playing against men in first grade, so it’s very helpful in their development process.”
Heading towards the back-end of a long season, an injection of youth can be a welcome addition.
“The benefits go both ways.,” said Brasington. “The juniors get to share the experiences of the older players, and with their buzz and energy they can lift the entire squad.”
So far more than 20 junior reps from this season’s NSWRL competitions have continued in the local top grade.
Meet the rising stars on show.
CAMDEN RAMS
Harry Delaney
Western Suburbs, SG Ball Cup
A busy middle forward, Delaney made a successful transition to SG Ball after captaining Macarthur Wests Tigers last year in the Laurie Daley Cup (under-18s). Made his first grade debut at Camden last year, and is now a regular off the bench for the ladder leading Rams.
Bowen Roper
Western Suburbs, SG Ball Cup
The Camden Rams junior is a hard running backrower who thrives on hard work. Made his top grade debut in June, coming off the bench in a tough initiation against a physical Campbelltown Collegians pack.
Ewan Xuereb
Western Suburbs, SG Ball Cup
A towering middle with a neat step and sharp turn of pace, Xuereb was a regular for the Magpies throughout the SG Ball season. Made his mark in an unbeaten Camden Rams outfit during May, bagging a double on first grade debut against Narellan.
CAMPBELLTOWN CITY
Ramses Ah Chong
Western Suburbs, SG Ball
Ah Chong played in the second-row for Wests before showing his utility value at City when named at centre in the first grade clash with East Campbelltown. Crossed the stripe in his first two appearances for the Roos this year.
Wade Zreika
Wests Tigers, Jersey Flegg
Zreika’s well rounded skills have been a regular feature in the Wests Tigers pathways. Named in this season’s Jersey Flegg (under-21s) squad, he has kicked on at City with first grade appearances as an outside back and in the halves.
Daniel Waqa
Western Suburbs, SG Ball
A teammate of Ah Chong’s in the junior reps, the speedy winger joined him in City’s first grade side last April. Starred for the Tigers last season in the Laurie Daley Cup, and this year was rewarded with a Magpies jumper in SG Ball.
EAST CAMPBELLTOWN EAGLES
Brooklyn Milford
Western Suburbs, Harold Matthews Cup
From the club that propelled Tallyn Da Silva to the NRL, Milford is a Westfields Sports High student following a similar path. After finishing the season with Wests in the Harold Matthews Cup (under-17s), the teenage hooker nailed his first grade debut from the bench in an epic win over Mittagong.
Tristyn Ball
Wests Tigers, Jersey Flegg
A bustling prop who has been on the rep scene for some time, Ball continues to split his time between Flegg and first grade for East Campbelltown. A local junior, he made multiple top grade appearances in 2023.
Heith Pritchard
Western Suburbs, SG Ball, Wests Tigers, Jersey Fegg
The highly regarded junior captained Wests in SG Ball this year and has since transitioned up the chain to Jersey Flegg. A gifted playmaker, Pritchard is equally effective in the No.9 and didn’t look out of place in his top grade debut against South West Goannas in April.
Zakariya Agbere
Wests Tigers, Jersey Flegg
The Jersey Flegg flyer showed what all the fuss is about back in round three for East Campbelltown. Seemingly headed for defeat, the winger pulled off a miracle try on debut to earn his side a draw with South West.
Jeremiah Leatigaga
Western Suburbs, SG Ball
Another Eagles hooker on the rise, Leatigaga has shown his utility value at rep level covering most positions in the pack. Nearing the end of the Macarthur season, the youngster has started several games in the No.9 jersey.
MITTAGONG LIONS
Joey Eccleston
Western Suburbs, SG Ball
One of a long list of Eccleston’s from the Southern Highlands, Joey started the year in the Magpies’ SG Ball squad. A reliable outside back, Joey continues to be a regular in the Lions’ first grade line-up.
Harley Rebbeck
Western Suburbs, SG Ball
After making his first grade debut for Mittagong last season, the rising five-eighth was part of Wests’ SG Ball summer squad. Continues to develop at the Lions where he has made numerous appearances in the top grade.
Flynn Pickering
Wests Tigers, Jersey Flegg
The workaholic forward kicked of the year in the Tigers’ pathways program ahead of the Jersey Flegg season. Has spent the majority of the season playing first grade for Mittagong in the pack or as a utility off the bench.
NARELLAN JETS
Michael Cody
Western Suburbs, SG Ball
The young prop is a respected junior at Narellan. Still a teenager, Cody has mixed it with Macarthur’s biggest bruisers in first grade. Hard working, the club believes his stocks will continue to rise.
OAKDALE WORKERS
Alex Isdale
Western Suburbs, Harold Matthews Cup
It’s already been a massive year for this Patrician Brothers Fairfield student. Since captaining Wests to the Harold Matts grand final, the scheming half has become a crucial member in Oakdale’s charge to the Macarthur finals. Scored a try in a memorable debut against South West and has already shown the benefits of playing in the senior grade.
Sonny Edwards
Western Suburbs, SG Ball
Another quality playmaker to debut for the Workers this season, Edwards spent the early part of the season in the halves in Laurie Daley Cup and for Wests. Fast and light on his feet, when required he has also shown class down back.
PICTON MAGPIES
Luke Keppie
Western Suburbs, SG Ball
One of the elite junior reps in the Macarthur comp, Keppie had a taste of the top grade last season. Now pulling Picton’s strings, the halfback has held his own in contests with ex-NRL stars like Corey Norman and Brad Takairangi.
Aaron Keppie
Western Suburbs, SG Ball
A member of this year’s NSW Combined High Schools side, Keppie has had a big season on and off the field. Since shifting to Cronulla from Wests midway through the rep season, the Picton dummy-half has continued to make the most of his chances at Picton under the guidance of former Canberra hooker, Simon Woolford.
Kobe Tooala
Macarthur Wests Tigers, Laurie Daley Cup
The flying winger raced away to score untouched during his first grade debut against Mittagong in July. In a major buzz, the teenager then backed it up with a double against a Thirlmere side that included former NRL stars Ken Sio and Tim Simona.
THE OAKS TIGERS
Chad Daniels
Balmain, SG Ball
The Balmain fullback’s first grade debut for The Oaks came out of the blue and is one he’s sure to remember. On a tough night in slippery conditions at Oakdale, he held his own in a performance that was praised by captain-coach Mitchell Brasington.
Kohan Lewis
Western Suburbs, SG Ball
One of two rising forwards to consistently perform in first grade, Lewis’ efforts throughout a long season were rewarded with selection in the Country under-18s.
Ryan Polsen
Western Suburbs, SG Ball
A starting prop in SG Ball, Polsen has made a seamless transition to the senior grades. Reliable and tireless, he alternates between starting and coming off the bench in a strong Tigers pack where he ranks among the best each week.
THIRLMERE ROOSTERS
Rielly Smith
Western Suburbs, SG Ball
In a strange twist, Smith has taken over the first grade hooking role at Thirlmere following the departure of Mitchell New, who relocated north to play NSW Cup with Newcastle. After spending the off-season training with the Magpies under-19s, he has shown enough on either side of the ball to become the team’s regular No.9.
NRRRL: Defensive effort for the ages seals thrilling GF
One team has put in one of the most remarkable defensive displays in recent memory to clinch a thrilling NRRRL premiership.
‘Can’t put an answer down’: Lower grade hoodoo continues
One side has continued its remarkable big-game record against its rivals after a thrilling lower-grade clash in the RLCC.