Macarthur Rugby League: Meet 38 stars in the U18s grand final at Campbelltown Stadium
It’s grand final time in local Macarthur footy, and the region’s next generation of stars are gearing up for the u18s decider. Meet all 38 stars on show at Campbelltown Stadium.
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It’s grand final time, and the Macarthur region’s top rugby league sides are set to do battle on Sunday at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
In the under-18s, East Campbelltown face the unbeaten Camden Rams. With a host of rising talent and schoolboy stars on show, we take a closer look at every teenager set to take the field.
Meet the 38 players on show.
CAMDEN RAMS (1ST)
Coach: Sam Campbell
RILEY OITMANN
Fullback
A constant in the Wests Magpies rep teams, Riley is one of eight Rams chasing back-to-back under-18s titles. A genuine flyer, the fullback continues to improve his passing game and has scored eight tries.
JOEL COLLINS
Wing
Another with lightning speed, Joel bagged a double when these sides last met. Doesn’t mind a tough carry and his 16 tries are the most in the comp.
DAMON POTTS
Centre
With plenty of pace on the flanks, Damon creates space with a high work rate on the inside. A pathways rep, he knows how to get the side rolling forward.
AIDAN RICHARDS
Centre
The son of NRL premiership winner Pat Richards, Aidan is a chip off the old block. Tall and rangy, the goal kicking centre is a hand full in defence and tops the charts with 92 points.
WILLIAM EDE
Wing
Blessed with height, William is good in the air and safer than a house down back. Knows how to find the line, and will be eager to repeat the four pointer he scored in last year’s grand final victory over Narellan.
LUKE FIELDING
Five-eighth
You can’t beat confidence, and the Rams have truck loads in this rising playmaker. Always backs himself with the ball and backs it up in defence.
HUNTER REDMAN
Halfback
Known for his watertight efforts without the ball, Hunter thrives on flooring the big boys who thunder through the middle.
SAMUEL THOMPSON
Prop
The Camden vice-captain’s form has gone through the roof with a renewed focus on fitness. An absolute workhorse, expect Sam to churn out big minutes in the middle.
DYLAN SMITH
Hooker
Everyone listens when Dylan has something to say. A proud captain, the No.9 leads by his actions and is one to keep an eye on around the ruck.
LUCAS ROSSI
Prop
A key member in the Rams pack, the NSWCCC rep is another on the radar of the Wests Tigers. Deals in big metres and never takes a backwards step.
WILL JENKINS
Second row
Calls the right edge home and hits good lines running off Luke Fielding. A regular at breaking into the back field, Will is equally comfortable playing in the centres.
JOEL BYRNE
Second row
Usually a lock, Joel replaces injured backrower Kurtis Dupond. Big and physical, the hard working forward hits like a sledgehammer in defence.
COOPER GADD
Lock
A ball of energy around the ruck, Cooper is super fit and has a bag of tricks from his time in the No.9 jersey.
JAKE JONES
Interchange
A little warrior, Jake is a coaches dream coming off the bench. Effective upfront or at lock, he runs himself into the ground.
HARRY LOVE
Interchange
One of the youngest in the Camden team, Harry rarely misses the advantage line and meets his targets in defence.
PJ FRENCH
Interchange
Still only 17, this towering forward has already caught the eye of local talent scouts. A prop with a bright future, PJ is tough to bring down.
RYAN MACKANDER
Interchange
A boarder at St Gregory's College Campbelltown, Ryan is a promising utility forward from Western NSW.
JESSE URQUEZA
Interchange
Still a year young, Jesse steps up from the Silver squad as part of his development ahead of next season.
EAST CAMPBELLTOWN EAGLES (2ND)
Coach: Daniel Milford
PATRICK TOOMALATAI
Fullback
An off-season arrival from LCC. Since working his way into the top grade, Patrick has improved with every outing. Error free and great under the high ball, he scored two tries in the prelim.
JAI HORTON
Wing
Twelve months ago this Westfields Sports High student was making a name for himself playing AFL. Taller than most, Jai is tough to contain one-on-one and has already scored 11 tries.
ABEL FAANATI
Centre
With East Campbelltown on the up, Abel returned home after a brief stint in the Canterbury competition. Recognised for his tenacity in defence, the Tigers development rep is also known for striking against the run of play.
TARELLE TUTU
Centre
A formidable competitor working out of trouble, Tarelle is a hard running centre who can also find space and scored a try from long range in last week’s victory over City.
BRODY TAATEO
Wing
Joins twin brother Jerome in the quest for premiership glory. A former fullback, Brody has a strong carry and also plays reps for the Macarthur Wests Tigers.
MATTHEW LUCAS
Five-eighth
Another from the Canterbury comp, Matthew is a skilled playmaker with a background in rugby union. Currently at Fairfield Patrician Brothers, the agile half set up two tries in the semi final.
RILEY INGERSOLE
Halfback
If the Eagles are in trouble, look for Riley to unleash his phenomenal kicking game. Still honing his craft, the Tigers rep chases hard in defence and also kicks goals.
LUKE MONTI
Prop
A juggernaut prop who is much younger than he looks, Luke always finds his front and has amazing footwork for an athlete of his size.
BROOKLYN MILFORD
Hooker
An absolute tackling machine, Brooklyn is a rising hooker who has already agreed to terms with the Wests Tigers. Tricky with the ball, his kicking game continues to evolve.
KIMBALL LIUFAU
Prop
Another on the Wests Tigers books, last year Kimball represented the Australian Schoolboys in rugby union. Known as the “Running Fridge”, he is pound-for-pound one of the strongest props in the comp.
JEROME TAATEO
Second row
A must for any side. Jerome does all the dirty work in attack and defence and makes those around him look even better.
BYRONN LAUPEPA
Second row
In a big week of footy, Byronn will represent Blacktown Patrician Brothers in the Schoolboys final on the Gold Coast before returning to the Eagles’ nest. A wrecking ball backrower, he has also played junior reps.
JOSHUA TOILALO
Lock
An aggressive lock with a big voice, Joshua has played junior reps for Canterbury. Has the power and stamina to see out the grand final, and is sure to catch the eye of Wests Tigers selectors.
KEONTRELL ZAGLAS
Interchange
The former basketballer hasn’t looked back since making the big leap to rugby league. A forward utility, he could prove to be a point of difference in the decider.
TYLER SCHUBERG
Interchange
The “White Rhino” has made a name for himself with his tearaway efforts in traffic. Originally from Thirlmere, Tyler will be called upon to increase East Campbelltown’s ruck speed.
SPENCER MAIU’U
Interchange
The Eagles’ Mr Versatile, Spencer moved from second row to prop without any fuss, and will play anywhere if asked.
LUCAS MUIR
Interchange
The side’s entertainer and loveable pest, Lucas joined from Ingleburn RSL and celebrates every Eagles try with a flap of his wings.
CARTER EVERINGHAM
Interchange
A handy acquisition from Narellan, Carter is a reliable fullback who can cover key backline positions.
JACK PETERSON
Interchange
A second rower with a team first mentality, Jack is a reliable defender who has worked hard to earn his spot.
NUKUTAWHITI GRAY
Interchange
A developing playmaker with a sound kicking game, Nukutawhiti’s fitness off the bench could cause a few surprises.
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