NSWRL Junior Reps: 10 talking points from a huge grand final day at CommBank Stadium

The NSWRL Junior Reps season came to a thrilling conclusion with grand final day at CommBank Stadium. We look back at the major talking points from the biggest day of the year.

Newcastle’s Malaki Poa fires out a pass during the Tarsha Gale Cup grand final at CommBank Stadium. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

The future of the NRL and NRLW was on show throughout a thrilling NSWRL Junior Reps grand final day at CommBank Stadium.

Action was hot throughout the afternoon as we saw the conclusions to the Lisa Fiaola, Harold Matthews, Tarsha Gale and SG Ball Cup seasons.

We take a look back at the major talking points from the day.

WRESTLING MOMENTUM BACK

You have to admire how quickly the Warriors were able to take control of their grand final against Wests.

Under the pump and down by 10 early, the whole game changed after some individual brilliance from Jack Thompson to slice through the defence.

An error minutes later led to their second try, with the Warriors making it back-to-back scores and taking the lead.

They’re a tough team to hold out when their tails are up.

Jack Thompson played a key role for the Warriors. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

KIWIS’ DEFENSIVE WALL

The Warriors had to hold out the Magpies early in the second half to maintain their 14-point buffer, and they stood up to the challenge.

We’ve seen how much firepower Wests has on numerous times throughout the year, but full credit has to go to New Zealand for how they turned around a slow start.

The signs remain promising for the Wests Tigers pathways however, and it’ll be no surprise to see a number of these players kick onto bigger and better things.

STEELERS HORROR START

It’s a testament to the composure of the Steelers that they didn’t let the worst possible start impact their ability to respond.

Tarsha Gale player of the season Kasey Reh fumbled the opening kick-off and Newcastle swiftly took advantage with Lily McNamara touching down inside 60 seconds.

ON THE NRLW RADAR

The St George Illawarra Dragons are hoping their eye for young talent will pay dividends at the top level with Indie Bostock turning in a player of the match performance.

She had a double within the space of five minutes to lay the platform for Illawarra to take a handy lead into halftime.

The best was clearly her second as she raced 90 metres from the scrum to send the travelling supporters at CommBank into raptures.

Indie Bostock was outstanding for Illawarra. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

BREAK PROVES BENEFICIAL

There was a bit of noise last week about top-two teams and extended breaks between the final round and their first finals game.

It proved to be little more than an excuse with three of the four premiers finishing in a top-two position.

The only team that didn’t was Wests in Harold Matthews, and you can’t say they didn’t have their chance to win after leading 10-0.

TIGERS’ GOLDEN RUN

Canterbury’s pathways system continues to flourish ahead of the club’s inclusion in next year’s NRLW. The Bulldogs were untouchable throughout the Lisa Fiaola Cup season and continued the dominance with an emphatic grand final victory over the Wests Tigers.

Upon reflection, the Tigers’ effort to reach the decider is one of the feel good stories of the season. With a squad cobbled together from across the metro region, coach Scott Clark quickly got them firing, and they delivered in the finals with two major upset victories.

AgnewsFaaui was a strong performer for Wests Tigers in the Lisa Fiaola Cup. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

BIG DAY NERVES

Three sides made shaky starts on the biggest day of the season at CommBank Stadium.

With a touch of grand final nerves, the Tigers, Steelers and Dragons all paid the price for errors in the opening minute. In each case, their opponents struck the first blow with a try in the following set.

SAINTS BLITZ

Arguably the day’s top performer, St George ran rings around a fine Canterbury SG Ball outfit. The Bulldogs’ commitment was never in doubt, but they were simply outclassed by the Dragons’ up-tempo style.

Coach Willie Talau touched on a style aligned to the quality of athletes at his disposal. With an eye towards the future, we can see more than a handful pushing for higher honour in the coming years.

MitchellWoods sin-binned during the SG Ball grand final. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

IN THE DOGHOUSE

By the time Canterbury’s Mitchell Woods was sin-binned in the 20th minute, St George were already breathing fire and leading 16-4.

From the get-go, the Red V forwards punched holes through the middle and when prop Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga found the backfield, the Bulldogs’ skipper had no other choice but to try and slow the momentum.

DOUBLE TROUBLE

Every player loves scoring a try, but to jag a double in the biggest game of the season is something to remember.

On a magic day of footy, five players managed to cross twice, while Canterbury winger Asha Taumoepeau-Williams got her name on the list four times. Not bad for someone who prefers the back-row.