Mid-year review: Every NSWRL junior reps club graded at the halfway point of the 2023 season
WE’RE halfway through the NSWRL junior rep season, and the mid-year report cards are in. See what grade your team scored for their Harold Matthews, SG Ball and Tarsha Gale Cup campaigns.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE NSWRL junior representative season has reached its halfway point and it’s time for the class of 2023 to receive their mid-year grades.
From the stars of the Harold Matthews, SG Ball and Tarsha Gale Cup through to the extraordinary teams performances, this year has had it all so far.
Join us as we rate how your favourite club has fared through four rounds of the season:
BALMAIN TIGERS
Harold Matts: 9th (1-2)
SG Ball: 9th (2-2)
Tarsha Gale (Wests Tigers): 13th (1-3)
Grade: B-
Things started slow for Balmain, in particular their men’s teams, but they have really picked up in recent times.
The Matts and Ball have combined to win their last three games, with the class of future NRL talents Josh Feledy and Tony Sukkar shining.
They definitely have the class to contend for a finals spot in both grades, it’s just a matter of putting it together for the remainder of the season.
CANBERRA RAIDERS
Harold Matts: 1st (4-0)
SG Ball: 1st (4-0)
Tarsha Gale: 4th (2-1)
Grade: A+
Canberra’s unbeaten young guns are firming as title favourites in the men’s competitions.
Matts playmaker Jonah Anderson has been a standout, while star fullback recruit Chevy Stewart has been just about unstoppable in the SG Ball.
After a slow start in the Tarsha Gale Cup, the Raiders’ girls have roared back into finals contention with back-to-back victories.
CANTERBURY BULLDOGS
Harold Matts: 2nd (3-1)
SG Ball: 7th (2-2)
Tarsha Gale: 2nd (3-0)
Grade: A-
It’s been a fantastic 2023 so far for Canterbury’s junior reps, winning eight from 11 and boasting top-two spots in two grades.
The SG Ball men have hit a wall over the past two weeks but have the class to turn it around instantly.
Mitchell Woods has dominated in Harold Matts, while the Tarsha Gale team is shaping up as a genuine contender to end the Roosters Indigenous' recent stranglehold on the competition.
CENTRAL COAST ROOSTERS
Harold Matts: 12th (0-3)
Grade: C+
Their season is shaping up as one that could’ve been great.
They went down by two points to the ladder-leading Raiders in round one, and then lost to the Steelers by the same margin a week later.
There’s definitely the talent on the Central Coast, but they need to be able to put it together for a win.
CRONULLA SHARKS
Harold Matts: 3rd (3-1)
SG Ball: 8th (2-2)
Tarsha Gale: 10th (0-1-2)
Grade: B
There’s been signs of promise through the Sharks’ campaign so far, particularly in the Harold Matts where the team is flying.
Ball has been a mixed bag and they have some tough encounters coming up which will make their road to the finals a challenge.
They’ve tried hard, but the Tarsha Gale side just hasn’t managed to get it together as of yet.
ILLAWARRA STEELERS
Harold Matts: 6th (3-1)
SG Ball: 11th (1-1-2)
Tarsha Gale: 5th (1-1-1)
Grade: B+
Something special is brewing down in Illawarra with the Steelers a live chance to qualify for all three grades.
They’ve been the only team to test the Roosters in Tarsha Gale and their draw was most unlucky. This squad has talent.
The men have been well around the mark, especially in the Harold Matts where they are proving they can mix it with the big guns.
MANLY SEA EAGLES
Harold Matts: 13th (0-3)
SG Ball: 13th (0-3)
Tarsha Gale: 12th (1-3)
Grade: D
After finishing mid-table last season, Manly’s juniors were expected to feature at the pointy end in 2023.
Still winless in six outings, the Sea Eagles have shown glimpses of brilliance but are now long odds to make the finals.
Colossal prop Tafao Asaua has made a name for herself in the Tarsha Gale, and got on the scoresheet in the club’s first win in female competition.
MELBOURNE STORM
SG Ball: 16th (0-4)
Grade: D
It’s been tough going for the Storm in the SG Ball Cup, losing all four of their games including three at home.
Their defence is leaking close to 50 points per game, a figure that can’t continue if they are going to pick up a win or two over the back half of the year.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Harold Matts: 8th (2-2)
SG Ball: 4th (3-1)
Tarsha Gale: 3rd (3-1)
Grade: B+
It’s been a mixed bag in the Harold Matts, with two fine wins offset by two disappointing performances.
In a side chock full of talent, fullback Fletcher Sharpe’s six tries are a stand out for the fourth placed SG Ball outfit.
While in the Tarsha Gale, the Knights only loss came late in a titanic contest against the unbeaten Bulldogs.
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
SG Ball: 5th (3-0)
Grade: A-
The Warriors introduction to SG Ball has been a memorable one, winning all three games to date.
The only knock on their form is they are yet to beat a team who has won a game in 2023, however that’s not their fault and they’ve been impressive in doing so.
They have arguably the toughest run home, facing four teams inside the top seven over their last five games.
NORTH SYDNEY BEARS
Harold Matts: 15th (0-4)
SG Ball: 12th (1-3)
Tarsha Gale: 8th (0-1-2)
Grade: C
It’s been a difficult opening for the Bears, with only one win to show from 11 starts.
Several heavy defeats in the men’s grades have been offset by several stunning defensive performances in the Tarsha Gale, where the Bears’ remain in contention for a finals berth.
PARRAMATTA EELS
Harold Matts: 6th (3-1)
SG Ball: 2nd (4-0)
Tarsha Gale: 6th (2-1-1)
Grade: A-
With only two defeats so far, Parramatta’s reputation as a junior powerhouse shows no signs of collapse.
In the Matts, the Eels are one win shy of top spot. While in the Ball, a mix of power and skill has resulted in some significant blowouts in recent weeks.
And in the Tarsha Gale, the girls’ season is building nicely. Since an opening round loss to the reigning premiers, they’ve been unbeaten in their last three starts.
PENRITH PANTHERS
Harold Matts: 5th (3-1)
SG Ball: 3rd (4-0)
Tarsha Gale: 9th (1-1-2)
Grade: A-
Their boys have been extraordinary this season, going down just the once through four rounds, giving great hope to Penrith fans they can continue their dominance in the top grade.
The likes of Luke Hanson (SG Ball) and Jaxen Edgar (Harold Matts) have really stamped their class on their respective competitions.
A win and draw from the last two rounds shows the Tarsha Gale women are on the right path as well.
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Harold Matts: 11th (1-2)
SG Ball: 15th (0-4)
Tarsha Gale: 7th (1-2)
Grade: C+
Two wins from 10 games highlights a tough start to the year for the Rabbitohs.
Their SG Ball side has been plagued by player unavailability, but they’ve been well off the pace against some quality sides.
Both their Matts and Tarsha Gale teams have shown promise on their day, but will need to lift an extra level to find themselves in the playoff hunt.
ST GEORGE DRAGONS
Harold Matts: 14th (0-4)
SG Ball: 14th (0-4)
Tarsha Gale: 11th (1-1-2)
Grade: D+
It’s almost unbelievable that the Dragons having nothing to show from eights starts in the Matts and SG Ball. Faced by a tough draw, in the majority of cases they’ve managed to match their opposition until halftime.
Finals are probably a bridge too far, but a late resurgence wouldn’t be a surprise.
It’s a different story in the Tarsha Gale, where despite sitting in 11th spot, the young Dragons are just one win shy of fifth place.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Harold Matts: 10th (2-2)
SG Ball: 10th (1-1-2)
Tarsha Gale (Indigenous Academy): 1st (4-0)
Grade: B-
The back half of the year can go one of two ways for the Roosters.
They can easily qualify for all three grades if their men’s teams can go on a run, or it will be left up to the women to try and make it a three-peat.
Their Tarsha Gale Cup form has been phenomenal, leading the way on both sides of the ball and Skyla Adams proving she is an absolute star.
WESTERN SUBURBS MAGPIES
Harold Matts: 4th (3-1)
SG Ball: 6th (3-1)
Tarsha Gale (Wests Tigers): 13th (1-3)
Grade: B+
Fourth round defeats to Canberra in the Harold Matts and SG Ball were the first of the season for both teams who promise to be in the mix when the whips are cracking.
Rising stars Onitoni Large (Matts, five-eighth) and Tallyn Da Silva (Ball, hooker) head a list of talent that should have Wests fans excited.
After a bright start in the Tarsha Gale, the Wests Tigers have slumped to heavy defeats and face an uphill battle to keep their season alive.
Penrith RL: Mid-year report card, every team profiled
As we approach the home straight towards the Don Feltis Cup finals we’ve reached out to the coaches for our Penrith District Rugby League review. See how your team shapes up, plus the standouts.
HNWP round two teams: Tigers set to unleash 17-year-old duo
The teams are in for round two of the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership, and the Wests Tigers are looking to the future with two 17-year-old Lisa Fiaola stars to make their senior debuts.