Macarthur Rugby League: Round five talking points and weekend wrap
It didn’t take much to launch the ball out of sight at one venue, while at another, one of the biggest props in the comp dazzled with a surprising turn of speed. Macarthur RL R5 talking points.
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Here’s what’s making news after round five of Macarthur Rugby League.
RELATED CONTENT: MACARTHUR RL SEASON PREVIEW
LIGHTS OUT
A dimly lit Dudley Chesham was no place for fullbacks on Saturday evening.
Aside from the blackout during the reserve grade clash, when power was restored, spotting a high ball in the main game proved almost impossible. At one stage, Tigers half Daniel Payne had City fullback Creedence Kelly Donovan running in circles before Josh Van Der Meulen swooped on the bouncing ball to score.
“It was hard to see anything above a chip and chase,” said Payne after the final siren. “We caused a bit of trouble with the highball.”
In better news, with the new grandstand now a feature at the Oaks venue, an upgrade to the lighting is the next item on the agenda.
WOW FACTOR
The start of the second half in the Oakdale versus Thirlmere clash must be seen to be believed.
Positioned for a routine hit-up, Francis Tuigamala caught the Roosters chasers off guard, busting clear and quickly hitting top gear. With a surprising burst of speed, as the big man neared halfway, he sent Cooper Smith flying along the Sid Sharpe touchline.
Fullback Barry Ruttley arrived to shut down the play with a classic covering tackle as the ball spilled free. Unhappy with the referee’s call of knock-on, Smith voiced his concerns to the touch judge and was promptly marched to the sin bin.
RISING EAGLES
In promising signs for East Campbelltown, the Eagles’ first victory of the season featured three of the club’s rising talents from last season’s under-18s grand final.
All three — Matthew Lucas, Brooklyn Milford, and Kimball Liufau — are part of the Wests Tigers pathways program, and they all held their own in the top grade
Under the NSWRL player points index system, teams are capped at a maximum of 100 points, and the three locals helped the Eagles field a side with a total of just 51 points.
NEW RAMS
Still on fresh faces, top grade debuts don’t come much better than Riley Oitmann’s two-try effort for Camden.
Held in high esteem, the zippy outside back showed why he has been a key player for Wests Magpies, having progressed through the Harold Matthews and SG Ball Cup competitions.
One of two Rams on debut in the win over Picton, captain-coach Brad Speechley was also impressed with Zac Riley’s performance off the bench.
“Zac came on for the last 25 minutes and finished as our player of the match,” Speechley said of the Kiwi hooker.
“We picked him up from Corrimal. He had a super pre-season, and his pace gives the side a different look.”
NOT DONE YET
What is it with The Oaks and retirees?
With Matt Brasington and Neil Begovich fresh out retirement, Mitch Gough took his place on the wing in the win over City.
“Mitch retired at Oakdale but got the itch again,” Daniel Payne said of the former Workers flyer.
“He’s been killing it for us, always doing what he needs to do.”
MAGPIE GROUNDED
Daniel Roberts was a big out for Picton in round five. Unsettled by a couple of niggles picked up in the round four win over Mittagong, the Magpies playmaker could be missing for a few weeks.
With a long history of setbacks, it’s a bitter blow for Roberts who was just hitting his straps following a strong pre-season.
ROUND SIX
Campbelltown Collegians v Thirlmere, Bradbury Oval
The Oaks v Narellan, Dudley Chesham Sports Ground
Campbelltown City v Oakdale, Fullwood Reserve
South West v Picton, Onslow Oval
East Campbelltown v Mittagong, Waminda Oval
Bye: Camden
ROUND FIVE WRAP
Round five of Macarthur RL was one for the big boppers as a former Origin star made his return, while another unloaded a bag of tricks and one scored a hat-trick.
Full wrap.
EAGLES SPOIL T-REX RETURN
A late signing for the Narellan Jets, former Origin star Tony “T-Rex” Williams strapped on the boots for the first time in two seasons in Sunday’s showdown with East Campbelltown.
Now 36, the wrecking ball imposed himself with several trademark charges before limping from the field in the 30-10 loss at Narellan Sports Ground.
While all eyes were on Williams, East Campbelltown veteran Kobe Chamberlain stole the show. Returning to his barnstorming best, the backrower terrorised the Jets’ left edge with three tries as the Eagles celebrated their first victory of the season.
After spending last year at the helm of East Campbelltown, Jets coach Jake Tonitto would have been optimistic about securing Narellan’s first win of the season. It was even early, but the Eagles didn’t turn back once Chamberlain bounced away from a couple of defenders to opening the scoring midway through the first half.
Full of running, the tearaway almost had another several minutes later, but his spirited charge was enough for Joseph Romeo to score in the next play. Another to the towering figure of Jack Crichton saw the score blowout to 18-0 at halftime.
Romeo turned provider in the second half, throwing the final pass for two tries as Chamberlain continued to dominate in combination with his centre partner.
Trailing 24-0, Narellan eventually got on the board through Jacob Esau. Amid a spate of niggle in the closing stages, the prop backed up again to score the final points of the day before Chamberlain was sent to the sin bin five minutes before the final siren.
“It’s a great result for the team’s morale,” said Eagles club president Dan Draper.
“They defended well and moving Sean Connor to fullback proved a masterstroke. I thought Matt Lucas was brilliant in the halves, he’s only 19, there’s not much of him but he really stood up on the left edge.
“He’s one of several juniors who have stepped up to first grade this season. We are committed to promoting players from the under-18s, and while it’s been a slow start, we’re happy to see guys transition and the goal is to keep the side together long term.”
Quizzed about Chamberlain’s form resurgence, Draper was happy to share in the loyal clubman’s breakthrough achievement.
“It was Kobe’s first hat-trick in first grade, and he was pretty happy about it. His combination with Joseph was a feature on the right edge.”
GAP CLOSING
They didn’t get the chocolates but after holding their own in a 28-18 loss to Camden, Picton proved the gap between the reigning premiers and the rest of the field is closing.
After conceding more than 60 points last season, Simon Woolford’s Magpies returned to Kirkham Park bigger and better on Sunday. With early tries to Charlie Woolford and teenage winger Kobe Tooala, they set the pace with 12 points in as many minutes.
Camden returned serve and trailed 12-10 at the break following tries to Trent Peoples and flying pathways winger Riley Oitmann.
The Rams returned to dominate the second half. Oitmann showcased his pace when he ran down a kick to score out wide. However, it was Bailey Dickinson’s unexpected ball-play that ultimately swayed the final result.
More than just a battering ram, the big prop hit John Ryan on the chest with a pinpoint long ball for the go ahead try. He was at it again shortly after, firing off another bullet pass for the winger to dash over in the left corner.
Camden went further ahead when Atini Gafa dived over to make it 28-12, before Picton recruit Joel Etherington pegged one back from dummy-half just before full time.
“Bailey is probably our best ball-playing middle,” said Camden captain-coach Brad Speechley, who was a late withdrawal after opting to rest his injured knee.
“We knew they were going to target Jackson Willis in the halves. Bailey always sucks in the defence, so we gave him a licence to pass.”
The victory was Camden’s fifth in succession and while the wins continue to mount, Speechley acknowledged his side’s dominance has diminished.
“Picton are way better than last year,” he said. “They play fast and are working out how to deliver their best, I think they are a good chance of making the top-five.
“Overall, the competition is much better than last year. However, our combinations are off and our defence and discipline have declined compared to what we achieved last season.”
Coming off three straight wins, Picton had already turned the corner after the disappointment of 2024. And despite the loss, Woolford said there’s plenty to like about his team’s effort.
“Our first half was good, but our discipline let us down in the second half,” said Woolford.
“I thought we did a good job on their two props. James Folaumoetui and Jaycob Oloaga really stood up to Dickinson and Danny Fualalo.
“Both our halves are only 19. They are still getting used to running the team, and we need to keep working on the older guys to buy in and let them take control.”
LIONS REBOUND
Mittagong made the most of a return to familiar surroundings, downing South West 28-6 to record their third victory of the season.
Out played in round four at Picton, Joseph Eccleston brought the home fans to their feet when the slippery winger sliced through to score a dazzling 80m solo effort under the posts.
In a return to his best form, Liam Cassidy made the most of his chances on the right edge. The Lions backrower broke away for Jake Steadman to make it 12-0 midway through the opening half.
After conceding a big lead the week before in their comeback victory against Narellan, South West stemmed the flow of points and trailed by six when Lockyer Pickering-Ratu reached across just before the break.
Blake Barbuto scored Mittagong’s third shortly after the restart. Cunning as ever, the clever hooker pounced on his own grubber from dummy-half.
Down by 12, thoughts of another South West comeback quickly faded as the locals went on with the job. Fullback Nicholas Eccleston struck down a short side, and the No.1 featured again, holding up a perfect pass for a rampaging Andre Wright.
WORKERS DO ENOUGH
Oakdale consolidated second place on the ladder with a 24-18 win over a vastly improved Thirlmere in front of their home fans on Sunday afternoon.
Fresh off a round four bye, the Workers struck first through Vaiala Tamati when the centre out muscled the defence in the sixth minute. The Roosters replied through former winger Waqasaqa Qiolevu, after the prop cleaned up a fumbled grubber kick to score next to the posts.
Making his return from a long term injury, Josh Carr moved with freedom and the giant back rower showed what the Workers have missed in the 30th minute. Surrounded by defenders, he shrugged away from a several tackles to make it 10-6 at halftime.
A week earlier, Thirlmere leaked four second half tries in a heavy loss to The Oaks. With their defence in order, they took on the contest and drew level when Curtis Scott made it 12-all with half an hour to play.
After coming close to scoring just after the break, Workers centre Cooper Smith made the most of his next chance, powering over from close range. And the lead quickly blew out to 12 when fullback Josh Burke found a way through the defence in the 62nd minute.
A late try to Thirlmere winger Gauna Mateiwai set up a grandstand finish but Oakdale held on for a third win from four starts.
SLICK NEW TIGERS
On a night where a power outage left everyone in the dark, Mitchell Brasington’s Tigers brought the energy to Dudley Chesham with a sizzling eight-try demolition of Campbelltown City.
With the start of play delayed following a blackout in the reserve grade clash, thoughts of a City revival reaching three straight victories quickly evaporated as The Oaks clicked into gear, racing in five opening half tries on the way to an impressive 46-6 victory.
Fuelled by intent, Joseph Ualesi set standard when the prop steamed across inside the first five minutes. And with all the running, Brasington and halves partner Daniel Payne set about entertaining a healthy gathering of home fans.
Edge backrower Ragen Gilbert flew high, bringing down a Brasington kick to score the second, and they quickly added a third when the skipper picked off Ben Scambary with a pinpoint cut-out pass.
Behind a dominant pack, Mitch New showed why he could become the recruit of the season. In the try of the night, the former Thirlmere hooker exploded through the middle and combined with Brasington to set up the first of Payne’s two tries before the break.
While the home side were a level above, City were best served by Junior Moors. Unfortunately for City, whenever the front-rower broke the advantage line the play often broke down with cheap turnovers.
“I think over the last couple of weeks we started pretty slow and let the opposition get over the top of us,” said Payne after the Tigers’ second straight win following their two defeats to open the season.
“The emphasis was to start faster tonight rather than trying to catch up all the time. I think we did that well in the first half.
“The guys in the middle were great, it's the same people every week that get us going. Joey knows everything that we need, you can’t fault him. And then Ragen is just something else, that x-factor with energy.”
NEW COMBINATION
The addition of New to an already formidable attacking unit makes The Oaks a difficult proposition to contain across 80 minutes. Never one to shy away from half an opportunity, the No.9 is quickly regaining the type of form that saw him win a premiership at the Roosters.
“The addition of Mitch frees myself and Braso up a bit more,” Payne said of the triple threat.
“Me and Braso have been together for a while now, so teams can cram up on us. But now with Mitch and his pace around the ruck, teams have to tighten up and it frees us up in the halves.”
SERIOUS INJURY
On a night where the club’s new $5.2 million facilities were humming, not everything went to plan for the home side.
After a fierce head clash while defending his own line, replacement prop Kyal Greene was assisted from the field three minutes after the interval with a suspected broken jaw.
From the next play, young prop Dane Ransom stormed over the line for City’s only joy of the night.
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