Macarthur Rugby League: Round one talking points, 80+ photo gallery
In a wild opening to the Macarthur Rugby League season, elation and heartbreak at one club was matched by an ugly twist at another. Eight talking points, 80+ PHOTO GALLERY.
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Here’s what is making news after the opening round of the Macarthur Rugby League.
RELATED CONTENT:MACARTHUR RL SEASON PREVIEW
GOANNAS’ BIG STEP
After a rocky off-season, not many picked South West to defy the odds and roll Narellan in the opening round.
And while ex-NRL stars Greg Eastwood and Brad Takairangi played key roles, plenty of kudos goes to new coach Luke Deller.
A former junior reps coach at South Sydney, from all reports, his thorough and professional approach has made an instant impact.
HORROR INJURY
It wasn’t all smiles for the Goannas at Narellan on Sunday. A serious injury to South West centre Marshall Brown saw the reserve grade match called off and first grade moved to the adjoining field.
According to Goannas club president Mark Baird, Brown suffered a dislocated and fractured ankle.
The match has been rescheduled to take place on Sunday, April 28.
UGLY TWIST
With one round done and dusted, the Tigers’ No.1 jumper has already been cursed.
Off-season signing Chris Taripo was a late withdrawal with a knee complaint, then after spearheading The Oaks to victory over Picton, replacement fullback Daniel Payne twisted his left knee in an awkward fall.
While the diagnosis of Payne’s injury remained unknown at the time of writing, captain-coach Mitchell Brasington is hopeful both players will be right to take the field in the Tigers’ next clash against Narellan on Sunday, April 7.
LIONS REJECTED
While Mittagong didn’t get on the scoreboard at Oakdale, they didn’t die wondering, and on another day may well have pinched the result.
With 15 minutes remaining backrower Liam Henry charged over the line, but somehow lost the ball in a miraculous Kyle Fraser covering tackle.
Then in an absolute mismatch in size two minutes later, hooker Jermaine Haule smashed the ball free from Michael Meadows, just as the rampaging centre seemed certain to power over out wide.
FAST EDDIE
With the biggest win of the round, last season’s minor premiers Camden showed that they’ve lost nothing over the summer break.
Even with the departure of regular try-sneak John Ryan to Ryde-Eastwood, the Rams are still a force out wide.
With a stunning dive to plant the ball in the left corner, former Mounties winger Eddie Aiono announced himself in spectacular style.
TWO REPLACES ONE
The off-season departure of gun premiership hooker Mitch New threatened to leave a significant hole in Thirlmere’s line-up.
It’s still early days, but after the Roosters’ win over East Campbelltown coach Darren McLeod said he was delighted with how Adam Campbell and teenager Rielly Smith combined to fill the void.
A regular half last season, the more experienced Campbell weathered the early storm before Smith added a touch of dash.
PICTON RACE THE CLOCK
Picton rallied late to salvage something from a slow start last season, but with so many key players now moved on, it may take a while for Simon Woolford’s side to hit top gear.
Plenty of passes found the turf in a clunky showing at The Oaks, and with key playmaker Daniel Roberts still sidelined, the Magpies will have their work cut out navigating a tough month, starting on Sunday with Oakdale at home.
WOMBATS HAT-TRICK
Centre Cassie Fitzpatrick scored a hat-trick as Warragamba marked its arrival in the women’s top grade with a 38-12 victory over fellow newcomers Glenquarie.
In the match of the round, Christina Morrell bagged a double as Campbelltown Collegians kicked started its title defence with a 22-6 win over Camden - PHOTO GALLERY below.
Elsewhere, The Oaks cruised past City 36-0, while at Thirlmere, Linda Kaufusi and Siteri Peter both crossed twice as Minto outclassed the Roosters 38-0.
NEXT WEEK, ROUND TWO
MEN’S FIRST GRADE
Campbelltown Collegians v East Campbelltown, Waminda Oval
Campbelltown City v Narellan, Fullwood Reserve
Mittagong v Thirlmere, Mittagong Sports Ground
Picton v Oakdale, Victoria Park
South West v Camden, Warragamba Sports Ground
WOMEN’S OPEN AGE: FIRST GRADE
Glenquarie v Camden, Kirkham Park
Campbelltown City v Warragamba, Fullwood Reserve
Thirlmere v The Oaks, Thirlmere Sports Ground
Campbelltown Collegians v Minto, Benham Reserve
ROUND ONE WRAP
The Oaks and Picton kicked off the opening round of the new season on Saturday evening before the weather closed in on Sunday, making for some unpredictable footy in the remaining four matches.
South West took a giant step at Narellan, while down the road at Thirlmere, a relatively new Roosters combination made a statement of their own, opening their premiership defence in style.
Macarthur Rugby League Round one wrap.
TIGERS UNTROUBLED AT HOME
The Oaks have kicked off the new season in style, comfortably accounting for a rusty Picton 28-8 on Old Boys Day at Dudley Chesham Sports Ground.
Daniel Payne was instrumental in guiding the Tigers to a 16-4 halftime lead.
A regular in the halves last season, the playmaker shifted to fullback and had an immediate impact, throwing a pinpoint cutout pass to send winger Casey Timmer across the line before doing it all himself just before the break.
Off-season signing Joseph Ualesi celebrated his arrival at the Tigers with a try. The big prop steamed onto an Andrew Madden offload before skipper Mitchell Brasington rounded out the scoring just before the final siren.
Picton had their moments, but largely struggled for combinations following the retirements of Anthony Provost and Tim Dengate. The loss of hooker Jarrod Brackenhofer midway through the first half didn’t help, but they still managed to score a couple of nice tries.
Winger Matthew Dengate finished off the first, following slick inside work on the right edge by young backrower Emmett McCoskery and fullback Leon Longbottom.
“There was a reshuffle to the side when regular fullback Chris Taripo pulled out with a sore knee,” said Brasington.
“Payney shifted down back and David Morrissey slotted into halfback and delivered a really strong performance.”
New centre Challis Tupuola caught the eye, and the damaging centre opened the scoring for the Tigers when he caught Picton napping with a shortside rush.
“Challis impressed, he’s strong and created several chances on the left edge and also held his own in defence,” said Brasington, who also praised the Tigers’ pack.
“Picton were strong in the forwards, and we knew we had to be physical,” he said.
“The boys worked hard and Ualesi was pretty happy to get across the stripe. With the bye and Easter, we now have three weeks off, so hopefully we get a few back before our next game with Narellan.
REIGNING PREMIERS LEAVE IT LATE
Despite missing a host of faces from last season’s grand final winning side, a gutsy Thirlmere have overcome a 14-point halftime deficit to overrun East Campbelltown Eagles 32-18.
From the moment winger Thomas Kaufononga came down with a Sean Connor kick for the opening try, it was all East Campbelltown as the Eagles raced in another three tries to lead 18-4 at the break.
The change of ends brought about a change of fortune.
A solo effort from five-eighth Tim Simona three minutes after the resumption kick started the home side’s comeback, and when quick-stepping winger Marika Tuilau crossed for the first of his two tries with 15 still to play, Thirlmere found themselves leading 20-18.
James Lee was outstanding on the left edge for Thirlmere, and the fullback’s miraculous one-arm offload for Ken Sio’s try put the result beyond doubt.
“It wasn’t a perfect start by us, but we always pride ourselves on being able to play a full 80 minutes,” said Thirlmere coach Darren McLeod.
“The Eagles scored two first half tries from well placed kicks and put on some nice plays, but we kept applying pressure and were able to keep them scoreless in the second half.”
While the likes of premiership stars Kye Madden and Simona played key roles, McLeod highlighted the efforts of several lesser known players.
“Waqasaqa Qiolevu played on the wing last year and started in the back row, he made plenty of strong charges and played error free,” said McLeod.
“Prop Lachlan Bush returned after a disrupted 2023 and was an absolute machine, and after spending last season in the reserves, Vince Romeo stepped up and delivered a strong performance.
“We expected to make a slow start, but it didn’t turn out that way, and we’re extremely proud of everyone who took part.”
GOANNAS STUNNING BREAKTHROUGH
There were wild scenes as the Goannas clawed their way back at Narellan, downing the Jets 34-12 to cap off a historic win.
Narellan crossed first through centre Tuakana Tunupopo and took a commanding 12-0 lead to the break. From there, the Eddie Faalua inspired Goannas flipped the script on a winless 2023, racing to the club’s first victory in the top grade with six unanswered tries.
South West replacement Sato Ketia Opo crossed from his own grubber to kickstart the comeback, and the Gonnas drew level in the 55th minute when the unfashionable No.20 sent former Bulldogs prop Greg Eastwood crashing over next to the posts.
Four minutes later, the sounds of an upset grew louder when Faalua powered across to put South West six points clear. And when ex-Eel Brad Takairangi sent fullback Wylleon Baker on an unimpeded run to the line, at 24-12, the Goannas were flying.
Any thoughts of a Narellan comeback were snuffed out as South West continued to pile on the points, adding a further two tries to Fatiauma Moeahu-Leota and Baker, who was named South West’s player of the match.
“Narellan were in control at halftime,” said relieved South West club president Mark Baird.
“But with the added experience of Eddie, Greg and Brad, there was no panic and with a better completion rate, the boys knew the points would come.
“People don’t realise the passion in this club. We’re not getting ahead of ourselves, we just want to be competitive and with the senior guys leading the way, our younger players now have respected figures to follow.”
After such a long drought, Baird said there was a bit to do before the party started.
“The celebrations weren’t straight forward, first we had to print off the team song for the boys.”
RAMS FIRE OUT OF THE BLOCKS
After falling at the final hurdle last season, Camden have made their intentions clear, breezing past Campbelltown Collegians 42-8 at a slippery Kirkham Park.
Collies held then own in the early exchanges, but it was all Camden from the 10th minute when skipper Brad Speechley put fullback Aiden Menzies away to open the Rams’ account.
Speechley went on to complete a double in a 26-0 opening half that finished with winger Eddie Aiono scoring a spectacular try in the left corner.
Camden centre Atini Gafa scored twice after the break, while Collies finished with tries to Tifa Iuta and Sam Manuleleua.
OAKDALE SHUT-OUT LIONS
It was an old school scoreline at Oakdale as the Workers held off Mittagong 9-0.
In a contest featuring some of the competition’s best attacking talent, the only try of the match was scored by centre Cooper Smith in the 23rd minute, when the former Tigers backrower sliced through the line and won the race to the left corner.
The remainder of the points, all scored in the first half, came from the boot of halfback Jacob McKinnon as both sides struggled to control possession in the slippery conditions.
“It was one of the best defensive efforts in my five years at Oakdale,” said captain-coach Kyle Fraser.
“Mittagong are not short on strike power, but we kept turning them away. It’s the first time in my time at the club that we haven’t conceded a try, it was a really impressive effort.”
Hooker Jermaine Haule was named Oakdale’s best, but Fraser also praised his new recruit.
“Luke Williams was brilliant at lock, he made a stack of tackles and our defence will be even stronger when he’s joined by regular workhorse Michael Bullock.”
PHOTO GALLERY
FIRST GRADE: NARELLAN V SOUTH WEST
FIRST GRADE: CAMDEN V COLLEGIANS
RESERVE GRADE: CAMDEN V COLLEGIANS
WOMEN’S OPEN AGE, FIRST GRADE: CAMDEN V COLLEGIANS
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