Macarthur Rugby League: Round three wrap and latest talking points
One club has gone full circle with player depth, while a couple are set to benefit from the long-term addition of fresh legs. Latest talking points from R3 of Macarthur RL.
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Here’s the latest talking points after round three of Macarthur Rugby League.
RELATED CONTENT: MACARTHUR RL SEASON PREVIEW
FRESH LEGS WINS THE RACE
You had to feel for Collies after they were run down late at Oakdale.
Clearly on an upward trajectory they did the little things right for longer, only to be shown up by a couple of young bucks at the death.
With a mad dash to the corner, Sonny Edwards-Moeke gave Oakdale the lead, before Alex Isdale chased down his own kick to clinch the two points.
“It’s always good when you’ve got 18-year-old kids who are super fit,” said Oakdale coach Kyle Fraser.
“Sonny could get called up again by Wests, and I’m not sure what’s happening with Alex at Cronulla. We hope they kick on with pathways footy, but we always welcome them back home whenever they return.”
OLD AND THE NEW
On the flip side, City have found stability with the return of veteran Michael Stevens.
Still finding his legs after a two-year absence, the playmaker’s calming influence was noticeable in the much needed victory over South West.
In addition, the Kangaroos are better for the addition of a couple of late recruits.
Dane Ransom came off the bench against the Goannas. A product of renowned rugby league nursery Kirwan State High School in Townsville, the rising prop has just completed a full season for the Magpies in SG Ball.
And keep an eye on Pesamino Pasina. Looking sharp after a pre-season with North Sydney’s NSW Cup squad, he proved a handful on the left edge with two tries.
FULL SQUAD LUXURY
It was a surprise to see highly rated half Luke Keppie playing in the No.14 for Picton at Narellan. Former Manly SG Ball half Jackson Cahill-Smith started in the No.7, but according to Picton coach Simon Woolford, it’s not what it seems.
“Luke was away all week and the boys trained really well, so we started him off the bench,” he said.
“If it happened last year I would have felt pressured to play him, but we now have the luxury of a full squad and different options.”
POINT BLANK
Given the heavy conditions in round three it’s probably harsh to point the finger at the goal kickers, but a couple of clangers caught the eye.
For Collies, former Newcastle sharpshooter Ken Sio sprayed one from just to the left of the posts, while at Fullwood, Mick Taute found the upright from close range.
That said, to be fair to the City fullback, he also banged one over the from the sideline.
NO LOOK
Collies picked up a gun playmaker when they signed Tyrone Harding from Narellan, but he’s not the only one on the books.
With a no-look ball to rampaging try-machine Tifa Iuta, prop Carson Lealuga-Puhotau caught the Oakdale defence off guard with the pass of the round.
DERBY CLASH
Good luck trying to pick a winner in round four.
All five contests appear to be a flip of the coin, although none are more important than the all Campbelltown affair at Waminda.
Desperate to open their account, Easts won’t pull any punches when they host fierce rivals, City.
And with former Eagles premiership winner Michael Stevens suiting up for the Kangaroos, a rowdy reception is expected.
ROUND FOUR (SUNDAY, MAY 4)
Campbelltown Collegians v Camden, Bradbury Oval
South West v Narellan, Onslow Oval
Thirlmere v The Oaks, Thirlmere Sports Ground
Picton v Mittagong, Victoria Park
East Campbelltown v Campbelltown City
Bye: Oakdale
ROUND THREE WRAP
After a week off, the unpredictable results continued in the Macarthur RL as several teams showed they’ll be no pushovers after a slow start.
Round three wrap.
MAGPIES OVERRUN 12-MAN JETS
Picton has made it two straight wins after the Magpies came from behind to defeat a 12-man Narellan 34-26.
After a relatively even opening, the Jets trailed 10-4 but were rocked when backrower Salesi Funaki was given his marching orders for striking in the 27th minute.
Despite the setback, it was Narellan who regrouped and struck against the odds with tries to prop Levi Bromfield and halfback Tyreece Rea-Milford before the break, and they jumped to an unlikely 20-10 lead when winger Isaiah Tuiaki crossed from a bomb in the 44th minute.
From there, it was all Picton as the Magpies raced in five unanswered tries in a whirlwind 25 minutes to lead 34-20 and extend Narellan’s winless start to the season.
In a classy performance, James Tautaiolefua kicked off the comeback with a try, and the gifted centre continued to dominate the right edge where he finished the day with three try assists.
“We made three or four early errors, and we knew we couldn’t keep doing that against a big side like Narellan,” said Picton coach Simon Woolford, who never doubted his side’s ability to stage a comeback.
“Even when we were down 20-10, I wasn’t too worried. If we played our own game I was confident we could come back, and we won comfortably in the end.”
Asked about the send off, Woolford said he was comfortable with the referee’s decision.
“It was a blatant strike, and he was clearly agitated and wanted to go on with it,” he said. “Although I was surprised they got the penalty, the initial penalty was for a simple ruck infringement, so I thought that would have been reversed.”
With several key middles on the sidelines, Picton’s unheralded pack set up the victory in a major confidence boost for the big games ahead.
“Jaycob Oloaga played a full game at prop and lock Mikaere Patea played big minutes too,” said Woolford.
“Along with young prop James Folaumoetui, they were our best.”
OAKDALE LEAVE IT LATE
They were pushed all the way, but Oakdale eventually finished over the top of Campbelltown Collegians 24-16 in a gripping contest at Sid Sharpe Oval.
Proving their perfect record to start the season was no fluke, Collies crossed through winger Ray Mu and skipper Tifa Iuta to lead 8-6 at halftime, and they maintained a two-point buffer until Oakdale stormed home to snatch the result with two tries in the final 10 minutes.
Returning from the Cronulla pathways, Alex Isdale helped guide the Workers to their second win in three starts. The teenage playmaker put Zac Jones away just before the break and with the game in the balance, sealed the result with a solo effort just before the final siren.
While they didn’t get the result, Collies showed they’re a genuine finals contender. Iuta and Jokatama Dokonivalu punched out impressive metres and they showed resilience in defence, turning Oakdale away on numerous occasions.
“Collies are a quality team,” said Oakdale coach Kyle Fraser.
“There’s a reason why they came here with two wins in a row. They’re big, strong, and they play the whole game.
“They only made one error, so credit to them. We had to dig deep but got there in the end.”
TURNING POINT
Oakdale met fire with fire and opted to start the match with Francis Tuigamala at prop. The big man made several damaging charges, but it was his second stint that proved the turning point.
With 13 minutes to play Oakdale trailed 16-14, but the momentum shifted as soon as the man in the No.18 jumper returned to the field.
His first carry bent the line and drew a penalty, and in the next set, teenage fullback Sonny Edwards-Moeke dashed over in the left corner to put Oakdale in front for the first time.
Then several minutes later, the prop sent Cooper Smith racing along the touchline and after kicking ahead, Collies were subsequently reduced to 12 when backrower Henry Lealuga-Puhotau was sent to the sin bin for taking a player out.
“Francis is a big boy, but his fitness levels are much better this year,” said Fraser.
“He’s a big part of this side and offers so much. The boys love him, and when he comes on he gives everyone a lift.”
HARDING HIGH BALL
On a heavy track and with a slippery ball, Collies halfback Tyrone Harding proved a nightmare for Oakdale’s back three.
With a mixed bag of bombs and cross field kicks, both wingers and the fullback didn’t want a bar of the No.7’s punishing tricks.
CITY FIND FORM
Campbelltown City opened their account in style as the Kangaroos burst the Goannas’ bubble with a thumping 44-22 victory at Fullwood Reserve.
Coming off a courageous win over Thirlmere, South West fullback Cohen Benson threw a magic ball to get the Goannas away to an early 6-0 start, but the tide quickly changed as City went on a 40-minute rampage, piling on 30 unanswered points.
Wrecking ball prop Juniors Moors charged over after 15 minutes, while another two tries quickly followed from the boots of half Mick Stevens and fullback Mick Taute.
Brayden Topine was at his explosive best on the right edge, and the backrower played a key role in centre Jacob Williams finishing the day with a well deserved hat-trick.
Coming off the bench, Pesamino Pasina notched a double as City quickly move on from an 0-2 start in the nine tries to four demolition.
South West scored three late tries to make the scoreline more respectable, with winger Shaun Va’alepu crossing for a double.
WILLIS IN OVERDRIVE
Camden finished round three as the only unbeaten team after the reigning premiers scored a flurry of late tries to overcome Mittagong 40-16 at Kirkham.
Jackson Willis was the star of the day. The five-eighth bagged four tries including a second half hat-trick, and landed six conversions for a remarkable haul of 28 points.
Mittagong fired out of the blocks to lead 12-0 after tries to David Eccleston and winger Mitch Barbuto, before the Rams hit back through Vann English and Willis to trail by two at halftime.
Willis stepped off his left foot to put Camden in front for the first time, but the Lions stuck to the task and quickly levelled at 16-all when Thomas Eccleston added his name to the scoresheet.
Keeping pace with the Rams over the entire 80 minutes is a constant challenge but the Lions showed plenty of heart until Bailey Dickenson thundered across with 15 minutes to play.
Sensing another victory, the Rams flicked the switch and added another three four-pointers, including the last to backrower Trent Peoples.
ROOSTERS KICK CLEAR IN TRY-FEST
Thirlmere moved to second on the ladder after the Roosters got the better of East Campbelltown in a 13-try extravaganza at Waminda Oval.
It looked like being one way traffic for the visitors as they piled on four straight tries to keep pace with the clock at 24-0.
Skipper Kye Madden strolled through for the first, and with a mountain of field position five-eighth Tim Simona picked holes in the Eagles right edge defence, laying on tries for Marika Tuilau and Justin Smith.
Then it was East Campbelltown’s turn. With all the ball, the Eagles stepped on the gas either side of halftime, replying with four consecutive tries to trail by two just after the interval.
As the Eagles continued to mount more pressure, Simona provided the circuit breaker, racing away to score under the posts for a 30–22 lead.
Bryce Ball pegged on back, but Thirlmere kicked again, scoring the final three to win 48-28.
Madden finished the day with a double, while Barry Ruttley crossed for two fine individual efforts including a length of the field effort from dummy half.
Roosters half Joey Towerton ensured the score continued to rise in multiples of six, kicking a perfect eight from eight off the tee.
PHOTO GALLERY
Camden v Mittagong
Picton v Narellan
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