Macarthur Rugby League players to watch: 33 stars that have turned heads so far in 2023
With the Macarthur Rugby League season nearing its midpoint, we add to our list of players to keep an eye on in the run towards the finals. Meet the 33 stars who snuck under the radar.
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After seven rounds of a hectic Macarthur Rugby League season, we take a look at the players who snuck under the radar before a ball was kicked.
In an extension to the list of 56 stars that were published before the opening round, we’ve identified another 33 talented players to keep an eye on in the run to the finals.
JACOB MCKINNON (OAKDALE WORKERS)
One of a host of new recruits, the former Narellan half has wasted little time settling in alongside five-eighth Jake Steadman. A reliable organiser, McKinnon was voted Oakdale’s best when they upset premiers Camden back in round five.
ALEC BUSH (OAKDALE WORKERS)
A walk up No. 9 in most sides, the experienced hooker played the opening round in reserve grade before returning to firsts the following week where he hasn’t looked back. Equally effective in the back row, Bush’s utility value will be invaluable as the big games approach.
JOSHUA CARR (OAKDALE WORKERS)
At 196 cm, Carr is Oakdale’s punishing skyscraper on the right edge. Following four seasons in the NSW Cup, the former Mounties backrower brings power and fitness to what shapes as a formidable line-up.
NATHAN GARDNER (EAST CAMPBELLTOWN EAGLES)
Following an eight-year hiatus away from the game, the former Sharks fullback has eased his way back with the Eagles. Still sharp off the mark, the spritely 32-year-old will be hoping a minor hamstring strain won’t impact his season.
LUKE WILLIAMS (EAST CAMPBELLTOWN EAGLES)
A familiar face in East Campbelltown’s line-up, the resilient No. 9 played in last season’s grand final and has extended his good form into 2023. Small in stature, Williams is a first rate defender and picked up the player of the match award in the round four win over Collies.
KOBE CHAMBERLAIN (EAST CAMPBELLTOWN EAGLES)
Week-on-week, Chamberlin is often among the Eagles’ best performers. A lethal attacking weapon, the bustling backrower has a reputation for busting his way into the backfield.
ETI TAVUI (CAMPBELLTOWN CITY KANGAROOS)
An absolute man-mountain, Tavui is rapidly emerging as a Kangaroos cult figure. In four appearances off the bench this season, the wrecking-ball has barged over for two tries, both from unders lines at close range.
DAVID FAUONUKU (CAMPBELLTOWN CITY KANGAROOS)
In a team weakened by injuries, the one constant for City has been the consistent performance of captain-coach David Fauonuku. Returning after a six-year absence, the humble skipper is determined to instil the historic club’s proud values.
MANOA VEIKOSO CAMPBELLTOWN CITY KANGAROOS)
Not the fastest winger going around, but a handful all the same. With limited opportunities, Veikoso is slowly building a nice highlights reel, headlined by his flashy double scored against Collies in round three.
JACKSON WILLIS (CAMDEN RAMS)
The Rams No. 6 has all the skills, and on his day can match any playmaker in the comp. His round seven masterclass rocked the Eagles, on an afternoon where he set up four of his side’s first five tries with an assortment of kicks and freakish passes.
BAILEY DICKINSON (CAMDEN RAMS)
Dickinson is a constant force upfront from the Rams, and alongside fellow prop Danny Fualalo the two bookends lay the foundations for Camden’s attacking prowess.
JOHN MARTIN (CAMDEN RAMS)
The premiership winning hooker is the unsung hero in a formidable squad. A solid defender who provides quality service around the ruck, Martin is the glue in Camden’s title defence.
NICHOLAS SOLOA TOOMATA (PICTON MAGPIES)
Responsible for one of the hits of the season, Toomata shortened up Thirlmere’s attack when the Magpies needed it most. Now with the covers off, the punishing prop is sure to feature on every ball carriers radar.
TIMOTHY DENGATE (PICTON MAGPIES)
One of the best halfbacks going around, the Picton skipper orchestrates the majority of the Magpies’ attack and is one that opposition coaches have at the top of their pre-game notes.
JAMES TAUTAIOLEFUA (PICTON MAGPIES)
A regular fullback, Tautaiolefua is adept at setting up teammates or crossing the stripe of his own accord. Blessed with pace and vision, the No. 1 is no stranger to covering in the halves or out wide.
LOUIS MEEHAN (THIRLMERE-TAHMOOR ROOSTERS)
Tall and firey, the damaging forward packs a punch through the middle. With a deft offload, he’s capable of creating second phase play for Thirlmere’s fleet-footed small men.
LACHLAN BUSH (THIRLMERE-TAHMOOR ROOSTERS)
Bush is a rugged prop on the rise and linked with Thirlmere after completing SG Ball duties with the Wests Magpies. In round four he won the player of the match award in his first grade debut.
DAMON NEW (THIRLMERE-TAHMOOR ROOSTERS)
A halfback with all the skills, Damon New has four tries to his name this season. Alongside hooker and brother Mitch, the pair are responsible for shaping the Roosters’ attack and have no trouble punching holes in the first line of defence.
BEN SCAMBARY (THE OAKS TIGERS)
A constant on the Tigers’ left edge, Scambary is a busy backrower with a dangerous left-foot step who if not watched closely can find his way across the stripe.
HAYDEN BUNCE (THE OAKS TIGERS)
Bunce is an unheralded prop who started the season in reserve grade. Since stepping up to the top grade in round two, the big man has held his own, matching it with the best in the Tigers’ climb to third spot.
NATHAN RUMSBY (THE OAKS TIGERS)
A reliable dummy-half, Rumsby offers quality service to the linchpin duo of Mitchell Brasington and Daniel Payne. A solid defender, the No. 9 is at his best chopping down tall timber with his textbook grasscutters.
JAMES COYNE (MITTAGONG LIONS)
Since arriving from the NSW Cup, Coyne has shot the lights out for the Lions scoring 10 tries in just six games. The son of Maroons legend Mark, the fullback’s speed and skill has been a crucial cog in Mittagong’s unbeaten start to the season.
LIAM CASSIDY (MITTAGONG LIONS)
A left-edge backrower, Cassidy is one of the busiest players in the comp. With a damaging running game that has already yielded nine tries, the No.ll is no stranger to setting up his outside men with precision passing.
NICHOLAS ECCLESTON (MITTAGONG LIONS)
The Lions five-eighth is first cab off the rank on Mittagong’s lethal left edge. In combination with Cassidy and former Souths centre Bryson Goodwin, Eccleston can be relied upon to kickstart the attack without overplaying his hand.
LEON LONGBOTTOM (CAMPBELLTOWN COLLEGIANS)
An incisive runner of the ball, Longbottom has crossed for five four-pointers in the opening seven rounds. Blessed with silky skills, the Collies fullback is just as dangerous in the centres.
AARON TEARIKI (CAMPBELLTOWN COLLEGIANS)
Collegians’ inspirational leader thrives on collisions and loves guiding the pack through centrefield. Capable of 80 minutes, the menacing prop also has a knack for crossing the stripe.
JOHN-WESLEY BOATH-MOANANU (CAMPBELLTOWN COLLEGIANS)
One of several damaging backrowers in a massive pack, Boath-Moananu is at times unstoppable. Against City in round three he crashed over for a double, and his powerful raids have paved the way for numerous tries throughout the opening rounds.
FAALETINO TAVANA (NARELLAN JETS)
A Jets latecomer, the fullback has crossed for a try in each of his appearances during the two most recent rounds. With pace and anticipation, he has already formed a vital connection with young half Tyreece Rea-Milford.
JOSHUA CAMPBELL (NARELLAN JETS)
A Narellan diehard, Campbell’s carries through the middle were instrumental in the side’s first win of the season against South West. Tall and powerful, look for the damaging prop to up the ante as the Jets look to finish the season on a strong note.
ZAKAURI CLARKE (NARELLAN JETS)
Another from the Wests Magpies SG Ball side, Clarke is a gifted backrower who has slotted onto Narellan’s right edge. Solid and with a strong carry, the young backrower is also a handy goal kicker.
TINETALI PAPALII (SOUTH WEST GOANNAS)
A Goannas favourite, Papalii announced himself in round three with one of the hits of the season against The Oaks. A specialist hooker, the electric 37-year-old is filling the void at No. 7 and is definitely one to keep an eye on.
CRUISE IOSEFA (SOUTH WEST GOANNAS)
South West’s Mr Fix-it, Iosefa plays anywhere from the back row to the wing. A genuine all-rounder, he is at his best going it alone, just as he did against Narellan when flattened several defenders on a diagonal run to score near the posts.
PENAIA LEVELEVE (SOUTH WEST GOANNAS)
Recruited from the Kaiviti Silktails, Leveleve has played a range of positions from hooker to the outside backs. Another powerful runner, his three tries so far this season have been scored from as many different positions.
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