Macarthur Rugby League: 24 players to watch on grand final day
Macarthur Rugby League’s big day arrives on Sunday, with six senior sides chasing grand final glory. We list 24 big guns to watch at Campbelltown Stadium.
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For the first time since 2020, Macarthur hosts rugby league grand final day. The best of the women’s open age kicks off the senior matches, before the men’s first and reserve grade sides round out a massive day of action.
With input from some of the team coaches, NewsLocal lists the game breakers and workhorses to lookout for on Sunday.
First Grade: East Campbelltown Eagles v Camden Rams
BRETT LAHEY – EAST CAMPBELLTOWN
Crafty playmaker who directs the majority of the Eagles’ attack in the No. 6 jumper. Possesses a strong left foot kick, and is at his best probing on the right edge with both long and short passes.
With 10 tries this season, also knows how to find the stripe.
BRYCE WILSON – EAST CAMPBELLTOWN
Bryce is a fullback who joined the minor premiers midway through the season. With seven tries to date, he’s shown he’s a class above.
A product of the Wests Tigers junior rep system, Wilson is equally adept at joining the attack out wide or using his pace to create opportunities from closer to the ruck.
MASON TALOLUA – EAST CAMPBELLTOWN
One of a host of large bodies in the Eagles’ fearsome forward pack, Mason is a left edge backrower capable of big minutes.
His bullocking charges are a feature of East Campbelltown’s challenge for momentum, but with soft hands, Talolua is also adept at setting up his outside speedsters.
TRISTYN BALL – EAST CAMPBELLTOWN
Deceptively mobile prop with a neat step and pass, especially when the Eagles are on the front foot. Has played lock and also started from the interchange throughout the year.
Often in the No. 15 jumper, Ball’s go forward and offloads proved a handful for Camden in their recent finals encounter.
MASON CERRUTO – CAMDEN
A powerhouse at fullback, Rams co-captain Brad Speechley rates Cerruto as one of the best players in the competition.
He kickstarted the finals series with two early tries and in last week’s extra-time thriller, it was Cerruto’s bust from a kick return that set up Camden’s winning try.
DANNY FUALALO – CAMDEN
With multiple seasons of NRL under his belt up front for the Bulldogs, Fualalo’s big game experience is rising to the surface at the correct time of the season.
With Camden’s season on the line in extra time last week, Danny grew in stature the longer the game went. Now, against a menacing Eagles pack, Fualalo will have to dig deep once again.
JOSH GOULTON – CAMDEN
The bearded right winger is one of the Rams’ most reliable. His 14 tries this season rank third on the top try scorers’ list, and he rarely makes a mistake under the high ball.
Powerful through the hips, Goulton is just as effective carrying the ball out of trouble as he is in putting it over the stripe.
BRAD SPEECHLEY – CAMDEN
Small in stature but big in heart, Speechley is the Rams’ little general. With pace off the mark to sniff out a try, and guile to set up support, Speechley also poses a threat with the boot.
Last week’s one-on-one strip in the final minute of regulation time not only changed the course of the game, it typified the skipper’s never say die spirit.
Reserve Grade: Camden Rams v Mittagong Lions
LINDSAY MUNRO – CAMDEN
Munro’s 18 tries are four more than the next best in the competition and he is one of the reasons why the Rams remain undefeated. Coach Harry Fox says there’s plenty of reasons why the winger is one to watch.
“Lindsay is electric. He’s real quick, and he always finds a way to beat tacklers.”
CHRIS BROWN – CAMDEN
Brown is Camden’s five-eighth and leading point scorer with 132 points.
“Chris is our experienced playmaker. He’s won first grade premierships and is great at steering the side around the park,” said Fox.
PATRICK DUMONT – CAMDEN
Dumont typifies the Rams’ depth this season. The fullback has played plenty of first grade this year, and is one Fox is happy to have in his lineup.
“Patrick is a good leader in our team and he always wreaks havoc in attack.”
JACK SIMPSON – CAMDEN
Simpson is proof Camden is much more than speed and glitz.
“Jack is our young No. 8, a really reliable prop with a great motor. He’s capable of playing 80 minutes, a real workhorse,” said Fox.
HARRISON FLETCHER – MITTAGONG
Fletcher is a no nonsense old-school prop with a low centre of gravity, who coach and fellow bookend Simon Reid rates highly.
“Harrison has had a great season, he always gets us going forward. He’s a big upside for us this week, because he wasn’t in our side when we lost to Camden earlier in the finals.”
LIAM BAYLISS – MITTAGONG
Skillful and light on his feet, Bayliss’ perfectly timed short ball put the Lions over for the opening try against the Tigers last week.
“Liam is our creative No. 6, he’s strong and can be relied upon to put on a special play when we need it most,” said Reid.
JAKE MERCIECA – MITTAGONG
Mercieca is a reliable hooker with a great turn of pace and according to Reid, offers much more to Mittagong’s lineup.
“Jake is the spark of the side. He always gets the boys up before and during games, and he can sniff out a try too.”
TIMOTHY TOWNSEND – MITTAGONG
Townsend is a towering centre and the focus of the Lions’ lethal right edge. His 14 tries are the second most in the competition.
“Tim is big and strong, he’s our x-factor. He sets up and scores many of our tries and is one to watch in combination with backrower Jack Phillips,” said Reid.
Women’s Open Age: Camden Rams v Campbelltown Collegians
JEMMA CRANE – CAMDEN
Jemma is Camden’s halfback and according to coach Andrew Willis her value goes well beyond the six tries she has scored this season.
“She’s our main organiser and kicker, but she’s also our best tackler.”
PAIGE KNAPP – CAMDEN
Knapp plays fullback and last year was crowned the Rams player of the year.
“Paige works hard and has great pace, she scored the winning try for us in the major final,” said Willis.
MADISON MULHALL – CAMDEN
A second-rower, Mulhall is a powerful figure on Camden’s left edge or through the middle.
“Madison has only played rugby league for two seasons. Although she has played for St George in the Tarsha Gale Cup – she is a great listener and trains hard,” said the Rams coach.
LAURA WHALER – CAMDEN
Still in her first season of rugby league, Laura’s famous pace has returned six four-pointers from the left wing. Willis says she only needs half a chance to light up Campbelltown Stadium.
“Laura is a sprinter. She competed for Australia at the 2011 World Championships – give her the ball one on one, and she’s gone.”
SANDRA LAUGHLIN – CAMPBELLTOWN
A five-eighth, Sandra helps organise the Collegians attack and is a reliable defender who often makes first contact.
TETUANUI DEAN – CAMPBELLTOWN
Tetuanui is a powerful hooker who dictates much of Campbelltown’s play from dummy-half. In an outstanding season, she has been crowned the 2022 Macarthur Women’s Player of the Year.
Last week her two burrowing tries from the base of the ruck in the opening 13 minutes proved pivotal in her side’s two point victory and increased her season tally to six.
MAHINAARANGI REWI – CAMPBELLTOWN
A dependable centre, Rewi is a rock on Campbelltown’s right edge with her strong charges. Should enter the contest full of confidence having scored against the Rams when the sides last met.
ADI KELARA TURAGANIVOLO – CAMPBELLTOWN
A gentle giant, Turaganivolo uses her imposing size to scatter defenders with spirited charges through centre field.
More than just a battering ram in her side’s quest for field position, the damaging prop has also crossed for seven tries of her own this season.
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