Macarthur Rugby League: Retirement backflip, round five wrap, talking points

A new Jet dished out the hardest hit of the season and City welcomed back a premiership hero. Here’s what is making news after round five of the Macarthur Rugby League. TALKING POINTS

Mittagong winger Mitchell Barbuto scored a try in the win over Narellan. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography.

There’s lots to talk about after another gripping round of the Macarthur Rugby League.

An ex-NRL player became a smash hit at Narellan, while in two other matches a couple of veterans showed they’ve still got miles in the legs.

After five rounds, here’s what’s making news.

SMALLEY CRUNCH

Mittagong’s James Coyne won’t forget Alfred Smalley in a hurry.

The new Narellan centre – with two NRL outings for Manly under his belt – timed his run to perfection, driving into the fullback’s ribs after he took a high ball.

Coyne left the field, but according to Lions assistant coach James Grehan there’s no long term damage.

“He was just badly winded, he should be okay.”

Alfred Smalley with family and friends following his Sea Eagles debut in 2022. Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

LIONS’ MIXED BAG

The Coyne crunch wasn’t the Lions’ only concern following a physical contest with Narellan.

Lively hooker Blake Barbuto finished the day nursing a tender hamstring, but with the week off the No.9 is expected to be fit for the round six clash with Camden.

In better news, Mittagong welcomed the return of hardworking back-rower Liam Cassidy.

RETIREMENT ABOUT-FACE

First it was Michael Lett, then Tigers prop Evrett Vaurasi. Now Campbelltown City have welcomed backed a club legend following a brief retirement.

Back in the middle during last week’s epic draw with Collegians, Chris Williamson didn’t skip a beat, and according to the club will be available “as his schedule allows”.

Chris Williamson strapped on the boots for City in round five. Picture by Julian Andrews

RAMPANT RAM RETURNS

Still on veterans who can’t resist the aroma of game day Dencorub, Camden winger Josh Goulton gets better by the week.

A key member of Camden’s 2022 premiership side, Goulton sat out last season before making a return this year following several key departures.

In a tireless performance against Oakdale, he delivered at both ends of the field and scored a crucial try – his third of the season.

GOANNAS DEPTH ON SHOW

How quick the worm turns. In a horror 2023, South West failed to field a reserve grade side across the final nine rounds. Now with numbers on the up, last weekend the Goannas reggies knocked over Thirlmere 28-16.

And it’s not just the playing numbers on the rise, there’s quality too. Regular first grade hooker Joel Etherington missed the trip to Thirlmere, only to be replaced by former pathways rep Tyler Ah-Chong.

COLLIES WARNING

Good luck trying to predict how Collegians will perform, and that’s just within one half.

Compulsive viewing when on song, their ability to tune out at the flick of a switch has fans scratching their heads in bewilderment.

Strike centre Norwin Latu returned last week from a shoulder injury, and they’ll be even better when former Q Cup prop Salesi Funaki returns in the coming weeks.

NO ANZAC BREAK

The action continues this weekend with the three postponed games from the third round set to take place on Saturday and Sunday.

The Tigers, Eagles and Roosters will all start as favourites, but don’t be surprised if there’s at least one upset.

Norwin Latu made a successful return for Collies against Campbelltown City. Picture: Steve Montgomery

ROUND THREE CATCH-UP GAMES (27-28 APRIL)

MEN’S FIRST GRADE

The Oaks v Narellan, Dudley Chesham Sports Ground

East Campbelltown v South West, Waminda Oval

Thirlmere v Campbelltown Collegians, Thirlmere Sports Ground

WOMEN’S OPEN AGE: FIRST GRADE

The Oaks v Glenquarie, Dudley Chesham Sports Ground

Minto v Warragamba, Benham Reserve

Thirlmere v Campbelltown Collegians, Thirlmere Sports Ground

Narellan’s Tuakana Tunupopo scored a try against Mittagong. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

ROUND FIVE WRAP

Round five of the Macarthur Rugby League featured several intriguing match-ups and included some unusual scorelines.

Among a weekend of entertaining action, Collies were at their entertaining best and the South West Goannas took another giant step forward.

Round five wrap, and feedback from around the grounds.

ROOS BOUNCE BACK

In short, Collegians and City shared the spoils after finishing 38-all.

The longer version has more twists than a stick of licorice. In the first half Collies were unstoppable in posting six tries to lead 34-6, then the wheels fell off, and City eventually walked away feeling they had bombed a golden opportunity.

Collies five-eighth Hosea Leuea kicked off the scoring in the fifth minute, but at 6-all midway through the first half, there were no signs of a 14-try avalanche.

Then Collegians wrecking ball Tifa Iuta started scattering defenders like tenpins, and the prop muscled over for the first of another five tries before the break. Veiru Mapesone couldn’t be contained in the extra space, and the crafty half orchestrated three of the next four including a double to winger Sakaraia Ratuvou.

But if Bradbury Oval was a work site, then the halftime break was like a shift change.

Out with Collies and in with City, and that’s how it played out. English playmaker Alex Smith struck the first blow, and when halves partner Anthony Leatham crossed next to the posts in the 73rd minute, the Roos trailed 38-32 with a kick to come.

But in the chase for quick points, Leatham sprayed the conversion attempt. But the No.6 didn’t miss several minutes later, levelling the scores after hooker Gerald Reyes burrowed across from close range.

“You never know what you are going to get with Collies,” said team manager Mitch Hoffman.

“We know how to switch off. The second half wasn’t good enough, we almost did the same thing a week earlier against the Goannas.

“It’s not a fitness issue, not after five rounds, it’s all mental. The talent is there, it all comes down to attitude.”

Sitting in eighth spot, Hoffman can see Collies making a finals charge.

“When on a roll, the boys are incredibly hard to stop, they just need to be smarter. I can seeing them causing some upsets before the season is done.”

Camden winger Josh Goulton is quickly finding his feet after missing last season. Photo by Jeremy Ng/Newscorp

RAMS SHUTOUT

Camden downed Oakdale 18-0, but it was anything but a walk in the park for the Rams at Sid Sharpe Oval.

Oakdale had the better of the early exchanges and looked like opening the scoring in the 7th minute. Josh Burke broke clear with an intercept, but the Rams scrambled before eventually opening the scoring when backrower Trent Peoples sent Jackson Willis away to score under the posts.

Workers fullback Elliott Moaga had a tough day under the high ball, and his fumble in the 24th minute ended in the hands of veteran winger Josh Goulton, who extended the margin to 10-0.

Oakdale very nearly scored one of their own before the interval, but the points went begging just as Josh Carr seemed certain to ground a rolling ball.

The contest remained in the balance until skipper Brad Speechley weaved through to post Camden’s third in the closing stages.

“It was a tough and close game,” said Speechley.

“Our attack wasn’t the best but I think our defence is better than it was last year.”

Camden were best served by Willis, who tormented Oakdale all day with astute kicks, and lock Ben Powers who joined the starting side for the first time this season.

THIRLMERE CLASS ON SHOW

The Goannas were given little hope of forcing an upset on the road against Thirlmere, but they showed plenty of spirit late in the match before going down 38-22.

Up against former Parramatta Eels teammate Corey Norman, South West playmaker Brad Takairangi only needed five minutes to have the first laugh when he planted the ball under the crossbar.

The visitors held the advantage until the midpoint of the opening half when backrower Justin Smith pounced on a Norman kick to level the scores. Roosters skipper Kye Madden crossed for another, and winger Dominic Citroni made it 16-6 at the break.

Blessed with class on the edges, Thirlmere broke away to lead 38-12 with doubles to Curtis Scott and Ken Sio.

After some big hidings last year, the Goannas could have easily folded and conceded another big score. But under new coach Luke Deller there’s a strong underbelly, and it was the Goannas who had the final say with tries to Calvin Faapito and captain Eddie Faalua.

“We didn’t get the points, but it was a good team effort,” said Deller.

“Our usual hooker and halfback didn’t play, but we are getting better every week. Our reserve grade recorded a great win too.

“ We’re proud of where the club is at, we’ve set some standards and I’ve seen enough to know we’ll be a dangerous side.”

Thirlmere’s Ken Sio scored two runaway tries in the win over South West. Photo: Warren Gannon Photography

EAGLES SLIP AT HOME

The Oaks converted a perfect opening into a 34-12 victory over East Campbelltown on Saturday night.

Coming off a tough loss to Camden, the Tigers couldn’t have wished for a better start at Waminda Oval, as Daniel Payne raced away to score from a charge down in the opening set of the match.

Then with an overlap on the left edge, the Tigers looked set jump 10 clear until the long arm of Bose Serukalou intervened. After reeling in an intercept the Eagles winger quickly took off and levelled the scores.

The sides then traded tries before the visitors broke the contest open with the next two four-pointers to lead 22-12 at the break. Payne busted the line to send Mitch Brasington away, and he was at it again minutes later to assist centre Challis Tupuola over the line.

Any chance East Campbelltown had of getting back into the contest evaporated in a spate of handling errors as The Oaks went on with the job crossing again through Tupuola and supersub Cruise Iosefa.

Tuakana Tunupopo scored his third try of the season against the Lions. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

LIONS WIN ON THE ROAD

Mittagong headed up the highway and made it three consecutive wins after downing Narellan 28-14.

The Lions had all the early ball but were unable to break through Narellan’s committed goal line defence. They eventually struck gold when hooker Blake Barbuto and James Coyne combined to put Keiran Rankmore over.

A double to Jake Brisbane opened a 16-point advantage, and they struck again immediately after the break to lead 24-0. Coyne was first across the line, before ex-Shark Bryson Goodwin sent winger Mitchell Barbuto over in the left corner.

With half an hour to play, Tyrone Harding sizzled over for the Jets’ first, and they finished the night on a high note with tries to backrower William Saunders and winger Tuakana Tunupopo.