NSWRL Junior Reps: 12 top performers from round four of Fiaola, Gale, Matts, Ball competitions
With the push for the finals starting in the NSWRL Junior Reps, the big guns stood tall. We look at the 12 top performers in round four of the Fiaola, Gale, Matts and Ball competitions.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Round four of the NSWRL Junior reps saw upsets, dominance and teams begin their climb up the ladder with the midway point of the season almost upon us.
Here are our top 12 performers from all grades at the weekend.
LISA FIAOLA CUP
ALAVINA TU’IFUA (WESTS TIGERS)
The Tigers bench forward had an almighty impact against the Bears.
With every carry she attracted multiple defenders and most times that wasn’t nearly enough to stop her.
In a side that performed out of their skin, she really led the way with her intensity, breaking through the line and offloading at will in a fantastic showing.
SHARON LATAPU (PARRAMATTA)
Was the difference for Parramatta as they overcame a tough Illawarra side on the road.
She picked her moments to perfection, chiming in from fullback to set up the first two tries for her side.
Then she put the finishing touches on with a beautiful grubber, chase and regather from dummy half to lift the Eels to victory.
EVELYN ROBERTS (CANTERBURY)
Could have picked any number of Bulldogs players from their big win over South Sydney, but five-eighth Roberts was the pick of the bunch.
Her involvement was first class as she linked to perfection with halfback Abbey Fuz, playing a hand in a number of tries.
A 60-metre individual effort out of dummy half was the sweetener for the young half, putting the exclamation mark on her solid form in 2024.
TARSHA GALE CUP
ABBIE HAMILTON (WESTS TIGERS)
Turned in a brilliant performance to help the Tigers to claim their first win of the Tarsha Gale Cup season.
A classy centre, Hamilton had a first-rate involvement throughout the morning and was rewarded with a pair of tries.
On both occasions she had to push her way through traffic, including powering through five defenders for her second try in an incredible show of strength.
LAILANI MONTGOMERY (SYD ROOSTERS)
The Roosters attack is firing on all cylinders in the Tarsha Gale Cup and Lailani Montgomery is the maestro making it happen.
Another superb showing from the halfback saw her finish with five try assists as she led her side to a 12-try romp against Penrith.
She played to the line, put her forwards into open space and even got it done with the boot. Montgomrey did it all.
KORETI LEILUA (CRONULLA)
When the Sharks needed someone to stand tall in the dying stages against Manly, Leilua answered the call.
The front rower was the reason they were able to escape Brookvale with a point, courtesy of a massive charge up the middle to burst through the defence and score.
She backed it up moments later with another huge run, before a flick pass out the back allowed her team to tie the scores up.
HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP
WAKA HAMMOND (MELBOURNE)
It’s not the first time this season the halfback has absolutely carved it up, this time in a historic win over Balmain.
When the Tigers fought back to tie things up at 12-all, Hammond took over the contest and made it his own.
He scored two tries from close range by slicing his way through the defence, and set up another to help the Storm claim their first ever U17s victory.
EDDY CAYLESS (SYD ROOSTERS)
It was a terrific cameo performance from Cayless off the Roosters interchange that helped solidify a win over Penrith.
The forward showed strength and speed to get over the line in the second half and push the lead out further.
Then he backed it up from the next kick-off with a huge burst before putting Lachlan Metcalfe into space for the easy try.
TALEN RISATI (PARRAMATTA)
Was the difference for the Eels as they remained unbeaten to take down a stubborn Illawarra outfit.
The five-eighth was at his attacking best, taking on the line with great success and at key moments of the contest.
He broke through just after halftime, and when scores were level inside the final 10 minutes, he again produced some magic with a show-and-go to win the game for Parramatta.
SG BALL CUP
LUKE LAULILII (WESTERN SUBURBS)
A busy performance from the fullback was the catalyst for the Magpies putting the Bears to the sword.
It seemed like he was everywhere on the field as he linked with halves Luke Keppie and Heith Pritchard to cause havoc.
Finished the morning with two tries and played a hand in others to maintain his excellent form.
MOTU PASIKALA (NEW ZEALAND)
Continues the trend of fullbacks getting it done, Pasikala showed his skills for the Warriors in a smashing of South Sydney.
His workrate is enormous and was on full show as he posted a double and set up another with an ambitious grubber and chase for Alvin Chong Nee to touch down.
Born in Tonga, Pasikala looks to have a very exciting future in league.
AAYMON FITZGIBBON (ILLAWARRA)
Stepped into the halfback role in the absence of Kade Reed for the Steelers and really set the tempo early to help his side claim a statement win over defending premiers Parramatta in SG Ball.
A bigger halfback, Fitzgibbon used that to his advantage with a powerful try, and used his boot to perfection throughout the contest, including laying on a pinpoint kick to put Tom Kirk over.
10 KEY TALKING POINTS
MADE TO WAIT FOR FINALS, AGAIN
Last year the Bulldogs and Roosters were the two clear standouts in the Tarsha Gale Cup, with the pair meeting for the first time in the grand final.
It’s shaping like a similar situation this year where we will have to wait until the finals once more to see these class U19s outfits do battle.
Can we please ensure when doing next year’s draw that we finally get these teams meeting in the regular season?
HISTORY MAKERS
The Harold Matthews Cup saw two teams win their first ever games in the competition.
It started with Melbourne knocking off Balmain at Leichhardt, before the Warriors defeated Souths with the very last play of the game.
Having these two regions represented at this age level is so important, and it’s even better to see them having some success.
SG BALL RACE WIDE OPEN
One of the more hotly contested competitions this year is the U19s men.
We’re four weeks down and still the winner remains unclear.
The unbeaten Roosters claimed another big scalp by knocking off Penrith, while Illawarra handed defending premiers Parramatta its first loss of the season.
Then we had a blockbuster between Newcastle and St George, while Wests returned to its best with some big name players returning.
Your guess is as good as ours as to who wins it from here.
KNIGHTS LEAVE IT LATE
Staying with the Knights and the Novocastrians pulled off a pair of stunning comebacks to record wins in both male pathways divisions.
In both Matts and Ball they failed to score a point before halftime before storming home to knock off the Central Coast and St George respectively.
With their Gale side also doing well, it’s shaping as another successful year for Newcastle.
GREEN MACHINE ON THE UP
There was no sugar coating a poor opening two rounds from Canberra in SG Ball, but they’ve certainly turned the tide since.
After taking down Cronulla to get off the mark, they backed it up with a strong effort to defeat Canterbury and get them back in the finals hunt.
This weekend is a huge test as they hit the road to face the Magpies.
HOT CHOOKS KEEP FIRING
Another week and another clean sweep for the Sydney Roosters who are taking ball before them currently.
Their female sides have been on another planet to their opposition, while the males continue to grind out wins.
Across all four grades they’ve lost just one game in the opening four rounds - an incredible achievement so far.
TIGERS FLY UNDER RADAR
A team who is quietly going about is business in the Fiaola Cup is the Wests Tigers, who climbed to third after a big win at home to Norths.
They were clinical at times and were simply dominant through the middle on the back of their strong forward pack.
So far they’ve been the side to best test the Roosters, and they’ll face another challenge in the Central Coast on Saturday.
TOP FLIGHT LOOKS BRIGHT
Dragons fans in both the NRL and NRLW should be keeping a close eye on both Illawarra U19s sides.
The pair are unbeaten and have been getting the job done in style, with some exciting prospects who are destined to take the next step in their football journeys.
We’ve already seen Ella Koster get a shot in the top flight - don’t be surprised to see one or two of her teammates join her this season.
MAGPIES LOW FLYING
How far can this Western Suburbs team go in Harold Matthews?
They’re 3-0 now and with a favourable draw are expected to extend that streak to six before two huge clashes to finish the season.
There’s a number of dual-code stars in this team and you have to be impressed with the skill level they’ve shown to date.
BELIEF IN THE SHIRE
The Sharks are handling things in style in the U17s boys, quietly moving to fourth on the ladder and putting themselves in contention.
They were brilliant in smashing an unbeaten Manly side, turning it on and showing their attacking flair.
A win against Souths is vital this weekend before a tough finish to the season - the Bulldogs, Roosters and a trip to New Zealand in their last three games.
‘Sad, sombre’: Muted celebrations as LawConnect wins tragic Sydney to Hobart
Under the cover of darkness a multimillion-dollar supermaxi with a “sad and sombre” crew claimed a bittersweet Sydney to Hobart win with muted celebrations and a quiet tribute to the sailors lost.
‘Sad, sombre’: Muted celebrations as LawConnect wins tragic Sydney to Hobart
Under the cover of darkness a multimillion-dollar supermaxi with a “sad and sombre” crew claimed a bittersweet Sydney to Hobart win with muted celebrations and a quiet tribute to the sailors lost.