Macarthur Rugby League: Round three wrap, talking points, 50+ GALLERY
Once again the Macarthur Rugby League has proven to be a successful breeding ground, and also a competition that former stars just can’t stay away from. Round three talking points, 50+ GALLERY
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It was a round whittled down by bad weather to just two first grade contests, but despite the lack of on-field action there was still plenty to digest.
For some, last year’s decision to pull the pin on their footy days was a call made too early. While at the opposite end of the scale, several young guns are now forging their own identity.
Looking ahead to this weekend, and a couple of fierce rivals are set to exchange fireworks on Saturday night.
After three rounds of the Macarthur Rugby League, here’s what’s making news.
UGLY SPRAY
In his first appearance for Picton this season, Luke Keppie was a shining light for the Magpies in Mittagong. With a try, several assists and four conversions the SG Ball rep oozed class.
But not everything the young playmaker touched turned to gold. With a chance to level the scores midway through the first half, his conversion attempt from point-blank range sailed wide of the left upright.
LETHAL GRUBBER
Back in the day Queensland legend Allan Langer made a habit of crossing the stripe from his home-spun grubber kicks.
Almost twice the size of “Alfie”, Jake Brisbane has an equally effective technique. His deft touch was on display against Picton, but according to Mittagong teammate Blake Barbuto it’s nothing new.
“‘I’ve played with him since we were 16 and nothing has changed. He’s just got the touch, he’s a freaky player.”
NEW KNIGHT
It was good to see former Thirlmere hooker Mitchell New rewarded with his NSW Cup debut last Friday night.
Following an off-season move to the Macquarie Scorpions, the premiership winning Rooster played his part off the bench in Newcastle’s 30-24 win over St George Illawarra at McDonald Jones Stadium.
And despite the heavy rain, the likeable speedster was backed by a loyal band of supporters.
TIGERS BIG BOOST
It seems Michael Lett isn’t the only Macarthur footy star to ditch retirement.
After just three rounds, former Tigers prop Evrett Vaurasi has once again been seduced by the aroma of game-day liniment.
Among The Oaks’ best last season, his return alongside Oakdale recruit Joseph Ualesi gives the Tigers pack a massive boost.
BATTLE OF THE PROPS
For old school footy heads at Kirkham last week, the battle upfront was better than Christmas.
City props Ava Seumanufagai and Junior Moors didn’t take a backwards step, giving Roos fans plenty of reason for optimism.
But as is often the case, Camden’s Danny Fualalo raised the intensity the longer the game went, eventually crossing from a trademark charge to put the result beyond doubt.
TACKLE OF THE WEEK
When Jordan Tencate spotted Picton forward Henry Lealuga-Puhotau catching his breath in back play, the flying Mittagong winger seemed certain to score.
But with a brisk shuffle, the Magpies big man made good ground, shutting down the raid over the sideline with a miraculous covering tackle.
LOCAL DERBY MAYHEM
If last season’s battle between rivals Picton and Thirlmere is any guide, then Saturday night’s clash at Victoria Park is the place to be.
Once again the Magpies will start as underdogs. But just like last year, don’t be surprised if they surge on the back of a raucous home crown and stage another stunning performance.
JUNIOR INFLUX
With the surprise omission of Western Suburbs from the SG Ball finals, many clubs are expected to bolster their stocks.
With the finals kicking off this weekend, East Campbelltown and The Oaks are among the clubs expecting to field several new faces.
ROUND FOUR (13-14 APRIL)
MEN’S FIRST GRADE
South West v Campbelltown Collegians, Onslow Oval
Picton v Thirlmere, Victoria Park
The Oaks v Camden, Dudley Chesham Sports Ground
Campbelltown City v East Campbelltown, Fullwood Reserve
Narellan v Oakdale, Narellan Sports Ground
WOMEN’S OPEN AGE: FIRST GRADE
Glenquarie v Thirlmere, Seddon Park
The Oaks v Camden, Dudley Chesham Sports Ground
Campbelltown City v Minto, Fullwood Reserve
Warragamba v Campbelltown Collegians, Warragamba Sports Ground
ROUND THREE WRAP
Heavy rain threatened to wash away the entire round of the Macarthur Rugby League, but a combination of impressive drainage and sunshine saw two of the five contests completed on schedule.
At Mittagong, a premiership veteran made a surprise return for Picton, while the Rams and Roos went head to head at Kirkham Park.
All three postponed matches have been rescheduled to take place on April 27-28.
Round three wrap.
LIONS EDGE MAGPIES IN THRILLER
They may have conceded 40 in an eight-point loss to Mittagong, but an improving Picton showed they still have what it takes to challenge the best.
Sparked by the addition of SG Ball halfback Luke Keppie and the return of club legend Michael Lett from retirement, the winless Magpies got within two and threatened a major boilover until hooker Blake Barbuto crossed for the match winner in the dying minutes.
Keppie’s energy and pinpoint kicking along with the relentless go-forward by skipper Alec Susino caught the home side off guard, and if not for a length of the field intercept try to James Coyne, Picton may have led at halftime.
In a 13-try epic full of trick shots, Keppie and Mittagong’s Jake Brisbane both had the ball on a string. Keppie grubbered for Picton’s opening two four-pointers, while five-eighth Brisbane laid on two tries as the Lions went to the break with an 18-10 lead.
An upset loomed on the hour when Keppie pounced on his own kick to put Picton ahead 26-24.
But the joy was short lived. First, Barbuto caught the defence napping from dummy-half and minutes later, Nicholas Eccleston found winger Jordan Tencate with a clever cross field kick to the right corner.
Picton hooker Daniel Webb reduced the margin to 34-32 in the 71st minute, but Barbuto’s double secured Mittagong its second straight win.
WHAT THEY SAID
“We watched Picton’s two previous games and I think we definitely took them way too lightly,” said Mittagong’s Blake Barbuto.
“We can’t be letting in 32 points if we want to be competitive in this league. Coyney’s try on halftime was a massive game changer, it gave us momentum going into the break.
“They fought back but we just did enough.”
After coasting through Picton’s middle with two tries, Barbuto was quick to single out the Lions pack.
“Jacob Mayer played 70 minutes at prop and got us going forward, said Barbuto. “But then our bench forwards Tyler Slade and Dallas Collins picked it up and switched the game our way.”
Despite the loss, Picton skipper Alec Susino believes his side has turned the corner.
“I guess it’s no secret, it has been a slow start for us,” said Susino, who failed to finish the game after suffering a head-knock in the closing minutes.
“But we showed plenty of improvement and looked like winning today. Mittagong are no joke in this conference, so there is definitely plenty of positives, we just need to get better at icing the game.
“Keppie was a massive in for us. He brought energy and I thought five-eighth Hunter Ackerly came on in leaps and bounds playing with him too.”
After hanging up the boots in the off-season, Lett returned at centre and showed his usual class and anticipation in an electric two-try performance.
“Letty is still a week to week for us at this stage, but he’s still got it.”
RAMS TESTED BEFORE BREAKING OUT
Campbelltown City showed they’re a legitimate finals contender after they kept pace with heavyweights Camden, only to fade badly in the second half as the Rams bolted to a third straight win with a comfortable 48-16 victory.
Shifted to the upper field at Kirkham, City struck first when winger Te-Ao-O-Terangi Thompson ran the length of the field.
Eddie Aiono quickly returned serve, getting one back on his opposite before Camden doubled down through Jackson Willis when the five-eighth stepped off his left foot to cross next to the posts.
In an eagerly awaited contest between two fearsome front rows, City trailed 12-10 when prop Junior Moors showed his strength, powering over under the posts in the 27th minute.
It remained that way until Jack Miller slipped through some sloppy Roos defence in the right corner, and when fullback Aiden Menzies quickly bagged another down the same edge, Camden took a commanding 22-10 advantage to the sheds.
A double to Lindsay Munro straight after the break quickly put the result beyond doubt. Returning from a season of Jersey Flegg with Parramatta, the elusive winger won the race to a Brad Speechley grubber, then finished off a bustling charge by Steele Brown.
City No.6 Anthony Leatham closed the gap to 30-16, but the Rams kicked again, scoring three more including another to Aiono in a blistering final 20 minutes.
“City were very good, they have the ability to isolate defenders one-on-one,” said Camden captain-coach Brad Speechley.
“It was very hot, but Willis unlocked our strike power out wide. He was our player of the match, and if we can hold the ball we can definitely keep adding points.”
But in trying conditions, Speechley was quick to praise Camden’s interchange.
“Danny Fualalo and Trent Peoples were great for us, but Brown and Ben Powers brought plenty of energy off the bench and that proved a significant advantage.”
PHOTO GALLERY
FIRST GRADE; Mittagong v Picton
RESERVE GRADE: Mittagong v Picton
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