Macarthur Rugby League: Debut and forfeits, round seven talking points
In a strange weekend of Macarthur Rugby League, one powerhouse club defied tradition while another unveiled a teenager on the rise. Debut, forfeits and more. Round 7 talking points.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Picton pulled the pin in a major surprise last Saturday, and in the process highlighted the growing list of unavailable players in the Macarthur competitions.
Further south, and East Campbelltown unveiled another rising star in a surprising double act. Collegians stumbled, but are on track for a bright future.
All that and more, round seven talking points.
EYE ON THE FUTURE
With the loss to Oakdale, Collegians slipped from finals contention and you can be sure several sides above them couldn’t be happier.
Despite a swag of narrow defeats, Collies are arguably among the form teams in the competition. Now with an eye on the future and several key recruits rumoured to be on the way, 2025 looks very bright.
COSTLY SLIP UP
Still on Collegians, with three consecutive defeats by four points or less they just can’t catch a break.
Leading Oakdale 6-4 in the shadows of halftime, Norwin Latu looked like running an intercept the length of the field until his ankle packed it in on halfway.
YOUNG EAGLE TAKES OFF
They keep churning out the No.9s at East Campbelltown. Hot on the heels of Tallyn Da Silva’s rise to the NRL, teenage hooker Brooklyn Milford had a day to remember at Mittagong.
Following a solid start to the year with Wests Magpies, the Harold Matts rep got more than he bargained for in the Southern Highlands. After making his senior debut in reserve grade the 17-year-old capped off a fine afternoon in first grade, coming off the bench to help Jake Tonitto’s side upset the Lions.
PICTON FORFEIT
Picton’s decision to forfeit both senior matches with Camden was unfortunate, but it highlights the player availability predicament faced by many clubs.
While a number of other clubs have also been hit hard by injuries, last weekend was the first time a match has been forfeited in either firsts and reserves this season.
Compared to the number of cancellations last year, it’s a remarkable improvement.
X-FACTOR
Thirlmere are a rung below the side that won last season’s grand final, but the return of Curtis Scott for the remainder of the season is a mighty addition.
Showing no signs of rust following two months of boxing, the centre exploded from the get-go against City with a first half hat-trick.
Just as capable out wide or in a roving role, it will be interesting see to see where he fits in coach Darren McLeod’s puzzle during the closing rounds.
BETTER ON A FAST TRACK
It was good to see East Campbelltown click into gear last Sunday in Mittagong. Used to playing on a heavy Waminda Oval pitch, the Eagles looked a different side on a fast track.
This week they tackle City at home, and it will be interesting to see how the ground has recovered from the recent wet weather.
MATCH OF THE ROUND
Camden host The Oaks in what shapes as the match of the round on Sunday. Needing a victory to hold down a top three spot, the Tigers have it all to play for against a Rams outfit shooting for a 12th straight victory.
Back in round four, the Rams prevailed 22-4.
ROUND 15
Thirlmere v Picton, Thirlmere Sports Ground (Saturday)
Campbelltown Collegians v South West, Bradbury Oval
Camden v The Oaks, Kirkham Park
Oakdale v Narellan, Sid Sharpe Memorial Oval
East Campbelltown v Campbelltown City, Waminda Oval
ROUND SEVEN WRAP
This weekend’s round of Macarthur Rugby League reverted back to round seven in a square up for time lost to bad weather.
In a major surprise, Picton were scheduled to host Camden on Saturday but through lack of numbers forfeited both grades.
City headed to Thirlmere in a clash that saw Curtis Scott back in action for the Roosters.On Sunday, East Campbelltown’s season went on the line at Mittagong. Collies hosted Oakdale and South West met The Oaks.
COLLIES CAUGHT SHORT
Oakdale eventually got the job done at Bradbury Oval, holding on by the skin of their teeth to overcome a rapidly improving Collegians 20-18.
With the two competition points in the bag, the Workers headed home after locking down second spot on the ladder following a contest that could have easily finished in a draw.
Desperate for a win to keep their slim finals hopes alive, Collies turned away two opportunities at the death to draw level, only to cough up possession on both occasions in another heartbreaking loss.
Fullback Adam Hoffmann put Collies on the board in the fifth minute, before Oakdale struck back via a determined charge from Kyle Fraser to trail 6-4.
After a low scoring first 40 minutes, winger Hamish Oxley crossed out wide to put Oakdale in front. But they quickly found themselves trailing 12-8 when Hosea Leuea pounced on a Josh Bergamin grubber kick.
In a frenetic final 20 minutes, Oakdale opened an eight-point buffer with tries to Luke Williams and Peter Lett before Hoffmann raced away to score his second under the posts.
Collies continued to press the line, and ignored two golden opportunities to draw level from point-blank range. In the end, the two-point loss was Collegians’ third straight defeat to a top-five side, and the third by four points or less.
“The win was there for the taking,” said Collegians team manager Mitch Hoffmann.
“It was another great performance. I thought the boys did enough to win but we shot ourselves in the foot with poor handling.
“We knew a draw wouldn’t be good enough for us to make the top five, so the boys backed themselves to score at the end. It’s a shame, they continue to defend well but just can’t get over the line.”
THREE-TRY KNOCKOUT
Less than three days after making short work of AFL legend Barry Hall with an opening round knockout in Wollongong, Curtis Scott was back in action, landing a hat-trick of blows to sink Campbelltown City on Saturday night in the Macarthur Rugby League.
In his second season for Thirlmere, the former Melbourne Storm premiership winner showed he’d lost none of his touch during a two month absence as he ramped up preparations for the heavyweight bout.
In a stunning 12-minute blitz, Scott’s first three touches all resulted in four-pointers as the centre laid the foundation for a crucial 40-20 victory on home turf.
Stationed on the right edge, his right-arm flick pass opened the way for ex-Eel Ken Sio. He did it all himself three minutes later, beating several defenders before pouncing on a Corey Norman kick to make it 18-0.
Dazzled in the headlights, the Kangaroos eventually jumped clear posting two of their own, and they looked like adding another on halftime until Scott raced an intercept 80m to make it 24-10.
“We started really fast but City showed a bit of grit, they got on a roll and made it quite the game in the end,” said Scott after the win that almost guarantees Thirlmere a spot in this year’s finals.
“I haven’t been out here for about eight or nine weeks now. I haven’t touched a footy since I last played back in May, but ended up setting up a few and scoring a hat-trick, so it was a good game.”
Worlds away from the glitz and glamour of boxing’s bright lights, the slugger couldn’t help but reflect on the change of scenery.
“It was a pretty big high the other night,” said Scott.
“I was actually having a laugh with Normy out on the field about coming back and playing bush footy. It’s not as much of a thrill as I had the other night but it’s always good to come out and give back to the grassroots.
“They love their footy at Thirlmere, so if I can come out and put a few smiles on some faces then I’m doing my job. I love coming out here, it’s a great club and they look after us.”
Committed to the remainder of the season and despite an extended boxing preparation, Scott is in peak condition.
“I trained hard for that fight. I was running four to five times a week and doing 25 to 30km a week on the legs, so I felt good out there,” he said.
“I’ll be out here playing with Thirlmere for the rest of the season. I’m looking forward to it, hopefully we can bring another premiership back to town.”
EAGLES SOUR DOWN SOUTH
In a major boilover East Campbelltown has kept its finals hopes alive with an impressive 30-24 victory over the Lions in a thrilling 10-try shootout.
Needing a win to remain in contention, Jake Tonitto’s side arrived at Mittagong on fire and surprised the home side with five consecutive tries on the way to opening an unassailable 30-4 lead in the 47th minute.
Damaging front-rower Penita Tuavao kick started the charge from close range, and the points continued to flow with four-pointers to Edward Fono and classy fullback Viliame Saukuru. Cashing in on the dominance upfront, hooker Jeremiah Leatigaga pounced twice from dummy-half before Mittagong eventually hit top gear in the final 15 minutes.
Centres Jayden Sorouni and Liam Henry breathed life into a Lions comeback, and despite adding another two tries they paid the price for a slow start.
East Campbelltown’s fifth win keeps them three points shy of fifth, while the Lions have slipped to fourth – one-point ahead of Thirlmere.
“We controlled the ball better than we have all season,” said Tonitto.
“Our pack was excellent and I thought we set up the victory through our middles. Penita was brilliant again, he played the entire 80 minutes and was well supported by Henry Ioane Solomona.
“We let them come back towards the end, but with injuries and rotations we’d used all eight interchanges with 25 minutes still to play.”
ONSLOW TRY-FEST
The scorers had their hands full at Onslow Oval as The Oaks got the better of South West 52-36 in an end-to-end contest that featured 17 tries.
Tigers centre Ragen Gilbert set the scene in the second minute slicing through for the first of the visitors’ nine tries as they raced to a 28-18 halftime lead.
South West had their moments and when Brad Takairangi won the race to a grubber in the 30th minute they led 18-16. From there, The Oaks kept them at arms lengths on an afternoon where skipper Mitchell Brasington finished with a personal haul of 24 points.
Centre Challis Tupuola scored twice, while for South West Brenton Doyle-O’Donnell grabbed a double including a long range intercept.
The victory moves The Oaks above Mittagong and into third spot.
PHOTO GALLERY
Campbelltown Collegians v Oakdale
More Coverage
NRRRL: Defensive effort for the ages seals thrilling GF
One team has put in one of the most remarkable defensive displays in recent memory to clinch a thrilling NRRRL premiership.
Read more
‘Can’t put an answer down’: Lower grade hoodoo continues
One side has continued its remarkable big-game record against its rivals after a thrilling lower-grade clash in the RLCC.
Read more