Macarthur Rugby League: Round two talking points, full wrap, 40+ gallery
The unpredictable results continued in round two of the Macarthur RL as a number of new faces continued to impress, while several key players are nearing a return. Talking points, 40+ GALLERY
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Here’s what is making news after the second round of the Macarthur Rugby League
RELATED CONTENT: MACARTHUR RL SEASON PREVIEW
CARR PARKED UP
While they went down to Camden, Oakdale once again proved to be a good matchup with the reigning premiers.
The Workers looked sharp across the park and will be even better come round five when strike backrower Josh Carr and City recruit Bryce Wilson return to face Thirlmere.
BETTER DAYS AHEAD
Despite a couple of narrow losses to open the season, there’s still plenty to like about The Oaks’ long term prospects.
The arrival of former Thirlmere premiership winning hooker Mitch New adds another dimension to an already dangerous attacking unit. After several stints in NSW Cup for Newcastle last year, he’s one to watch as the season unfolds.
WINDSOR BOYS FIRE
Among a long list on new names at South West, a couple of Windsor recruits immediately hit the mark in the win over Thirlmere.
Halfback Troy Dargin – formerly the Wolves’ A-grade captain-coach – expertly guided the Goannas around the park. While at fullback, Cohen Benson showed why he was a regular starter for Balmain in this season’s SG Ball competition.
RISING STARS
Speaking of new faces, a host of youngsters have dominated across the past fortnight.
Rams halfback James Davey hasn’t looked out of place filling the boots of injured skipper Brad Speechley. Among a growing list of pathways reps, Sonny Edwards-Moeke continues to shine at Oakdale, while Amazon Pua’avase has shown glimpses of brilliance at five-eighth for Campbelltown City.
SOUND THE ALARMS
In a team of big boppers, the new combination of Collies speedsters Tyrone Harding and Ray Mu is already a proven winner.
Never far from the action, Mu caught The Oaks’ defence napping in the early stages of Sunday’s victory. Pushing up through the middle, the winger poked through the line before sending the Jets recruit away to score under the posts.
SECOND HALF WOES
The new look Narellan Jets are yet to record a win, but with improved second half performances the good times can’t be far away.
In round one they matched Camden for 50 minutes, before they relinquished an 18-point lead against Mittagong.
EASTER BREAK
There’s no footy this weekend, but there’s lots to look forward to when play returns in round three.
Oakdale host Collies in what promises to be an absolute blockbuster, while Narellan will be eager to open their account against Picton in the Jets’ first appearance at home this season.
ROUND THREE (SUNDAY, APRIL 27)
Campbelltown City v South West, Fullwood Reserve
Camden v Mittagong, Kirkham Park
Narellan v Picton, Narellan Sports Ground
Oakdale v Campbelltown Collegians, Sid Sharpe Memorial Oval
East Campbelltown v Thirlmere, Waminda Oval
Bye: The Oaks
ROUND TWO WRAP
A couple of major upsets in round two are further proof that the Macarthur Rugby League season is as wide open as ever.
Coming off an opening round bye, South West turned heads, while the Collies juggernaut shows no signs of losing momentum.
Full wrap of all the action from round two.
GOANNAS PERFECT START
The Goannas made giant strides last season, but there’s even better days ahead for South West after they opened their campaign with a come from behind 28-20 victory over Thirlmere.
Buoyed by last week’s win over Picton, the Roosters returned home and appeared on track for consecutive wins when they raced in the first three tries to lead 14-0.
Winger Marika Tuilau crossed twice, and they made it three along the left edge when Dominic Citroni beat several tackles in the 20th minute.
But with the calming influence of Windsor recruit Troy Dargin in the halves alongside the experienced Brad Takairangi, the Goannas slowly righted the ship and headed to the break trailing 14-8.
One of several South West youngsters on the books, fullback Cohen Benson – a shining light in the halves for Balmain SG Ball this year – crossed from a bomb to level it up early in the second half.
And the Goannas hit the front 16-14 when Takairangi slotted a penalty goal in the 48th minute.
Desperate to turn the tide, Thirlmere looked to Tim Simona and the former NRL star rewound the clock, beating several defenders on a weaving run to score under the posts. And with Joey Towerton’s conversion, the Roosters led 20-16 with just on 20 minutes to play.
Mana Aonga made the most of an attacking repeat set for South West, crashing over to regain the lead. And when the restart sailed out on the full, the sup-sub was at it again, diving under the posts to seal a memorable victory in the final minute.
“We probably should have won by more,” said proud South West coach Luke Deller.
“Even at 14-0, I felt we were still in control. The messaging among the players is better this season, and with Troy there it helps ease the pressure on Brad and keeps us on track.”
While Takairangi and Greg Eastwood led the club’s revival last season, Deller was quick to point out South West’s investment in youth.
“Cohen is one of several in the team to play SG Ball,” said Dellar. “Tyson Kunkel played for Norths this year, and we also won reserve grade which shows our depth is much better.
“Everyone played well right across the park, to the point where Brad and Greg probably didn’t feature among our top eight players on the day.”
With winnable games to follow after the Easter break, the Goannas are well placed to make a flying start in their bid for a finals push. Although, the measured coach refused to get ahead of himself.
“We just need to remain focused, and back it up after the break.”
RAMS BOLT AFTER OAKDALE SIN
Oakdale was on the cusp of a major upset against the reigning premiers until Camden capitalised on a crucial sin bin decision, ultimately claiming a 36-22 victory at Sid Sharpe Oval
After a thrilling first half where each side scored three tries, Camden held a slender 18-16 advantage. But the Rams turned the screws immediately after the break when Workers centre Cooper Smith was ordered to cool down after a heated exchange.
Utilising the extra space, young half James Davey kicked clear for Vann English to cross for the second of his three tries, and when Danny Fualalo powered over for his second, Camden had skipped 12 clear in just a few short minutes.
Jackson Blatch was among Oakdale’s best and continued to keep his side in the contest. The busy winger showed great strength to cross just before the interval, and when Smith returned from the sin bin, the flyer bagged his second to reduce the margin to six with 20 minutes to play.
The score remained that way until the 70th minute when Camden struck again, with Jackson Willis and Rua Hona combining for winger John Ryan to put the result beyond doubt.
Although Oakdale left empty-handed, rising pathways rep Sonny Edwards-Moeke came up with the play of the day.
Returning from SG Ball commitments with the Wests Magpies, the playmaker started on the wing and lit up the game midway through the first half to level the scores at 12-all. With nothing on offer after retrieving a clearing kick on his own 10m line, the No. 2 exploded past several chasers, weaving into the back field and eventually outpacing the fullback for a try of the season contender.
COLLIES CLAIM BIG SCALP
Campbelltown Collegians’ resurgence has been quietly building under the radar, but those days are over after Collies claimed a major scalp with a 22-16 victory over The Oaks at Bradbury Oval.
No strangers to jumping out to a big lead, the home side struck three times to lead last season’s grand finalists 16-6 at halftime. In previous seasons Collegians might have run out of puff and succumbed to a fast finishing Tigers, but not any more.
With size, pace and now fitness to mix it with the best, Glen De Bono’s side went further ahead when skipper Tifa Iuta cut against the grain to make it 22-6 midway through the second half.
Consultation tries to Joseph Ualesi and Daniel Payne reduced the margin, but it was all too late for the Tigers who now remain winless after two rounds.
“We probably would have lost this game last year,” said Collies first grade manager Mitch Hoffmann.
“The boys are in much better shape now, and they still managed to get the win after we lost five-eighth Adam Hoffmann and centre Norwin Latu to injuries during the match.
“We finished with two on the bench, but the boys showed plenty of character. It was a big day for the club, we won all three grades against The Oaks for the first time.”
Winger Leon Longbottom opened the scoring, and halfback Tyrone Harding and prop Jokatama Dokonivalu added their names to the scoresheet in a dominant first half. Although for Hoffmann, the real impact was made without the ball.
“Our target is to keep teams to 18 points or less, and to achieve that against a team like The Oaks lifts the confidence among the squad,” said Hoffmann, who singled out two key performers and provided an update on the club’s injured stars.
“Backrower Henry Lealuga-Puhotau and Ken Sio shared the player of the match award. Unfortunately, Adam dislocated his shoulder and could miss five weeks, while Norwin hurt his hamstring.”
MAGPIES BOUNCE BACK
Picton has bounced back in spectacular fashion, overcoming Campbelltown City 48-10 at Victoria Park.
With both sides coming off opening round defeats, a win was imperative and Picton did it in style, racing in nine tries to two on an afternoon where club veteran Michael Lett saluted the home fans with a hat-trick.
Winger Jack Lindsell scored either side of the break in a contest the Magpies broke open just before halftime when Lett towed the ball through for his first to make it 16-4.
Hooker Charlie Woolford pressed home the advantage with a try from dummy half in the 44th minute, while Lett kick started the celebrations, latching onto an intercept to score his third in the final minute.
City’s tries came via an acrobatic effort from fullback Sadee Sub Laban and another to five-eighth Amazon Pua’avase.
LIONS DEFY ANOTHER SLOW START
For the second straight week the Lions have overcome a healthy deficit, this time surging past Narellan to win 38-30 in an epic contest in Mittagong.
Narellan created the early running when centre Justice Leota sliced through in the sixth minute, and when towering forward Edward Fono powered over for his second, it was 18-0 after 27 minutes.
Gordon Toomalatai pegged one back against his old club, and when winger Jordan Tencate scored from a Kyle Wilson pass in the 40th minute, the Lions trailed 24-12.
Bryson Goodwin showed he’s lost none of his touch after the break. With the game on the line, the 39-year-old broke clear to send Jake Steadman under the posts and he backed it up, scoring two of his own as Mittagong crossed for five second half tries to round off consecutive victories.
PHOTO GALLERY
Oakdale v Camden
Thirlmere v South West
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