NSWRL Junior Reps Rd 2: 20 major talking points Matts, Fiaola, Ball, Gale Cup round two
It was a big weekend for the No.9s and a host of former struggling sides now flying above the radar. See what made headlines in our 20 talking points from NSWRL Junior Reps round two.
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With the second round of the NSWRL Junior Reps done and dusted, it’s time to look back at the weekend that was.
Here are the 20 major talking points from across the four grades:
HAROLD MATTHEWS
MAGPIES THE REAL DEAL
There’s a lot to like about the way Western Suburbs are playing at the moment.
Despite conceding inside 90 seconds against the Bulldogs, they were able to compose themselves, hit back just minutes later and then pile on six of the next seven tries to blow Canterbury away.
That explosive ability makes them a genuine contender.
SEA EAGLES FIND THEIR GROOVE
Speaking of teams that can put away a game in an instant, Manly did just that in a strong showing over the Central Coast.
The Roosters cut it back to 14-10 with 15 minutes to play before the Sea Eagles put four tries on in what seemed like an instant.
The addition of Max Prykiel into five-eighth looks a masterstroke.
MAILMAN DELIVERING
Anthony Mailangi is having a monster start to the Harold Matthews season for Souths.
After starring in a big win over St George, the front rower came up with the play of the game to seal victory in Melbourne.
With nothing doing close to the line, he hopped into dummy half and caught the defence out to score what would prove the be the match winning try.
DRAGONS SHOWING GOOD SIGNS
Despite the fact they were comfortably accounted for by Souths, they had plenty of chances in the first half of that game to keep things closer.
In a sign of growth, they were able to convert early against Balmain and opened up a 14-0 lead that would prove to be too much to overcome for the Tigers.
There’s enough talent within the group to suggest they can pick up a few more wins.
MATURITY KEY FOR KNIGHTS
Newcastle came into their Harold Matts clash as favourites over North Sydney, but the way they were able to respond to a clear momentum shift was admirable.
The Bears got it back to level just after the break after trailing 16-0, but importantly for Newcastle they were able to recover and kick clear, scoring through Noah McNamara and extending through Chase Butler’s boot.
It’s what they needed after losing at the death to Parra in round one.
LISA FIAOLA
HOLLER FOR A MARSHALL
It was fantastic to see Monique Marshall mobbed by teammates after her match winning try ended a long drought for the Dragons. Always thinking, it was the clever hooker’s play to start the set that put St George within striking distance.
Given a penalty 35m out and down by two in the final minute, the No. 9 sprang into action, taking a quick tap and gaining a crucial 15m as the Rabbitohs retreated onto the back foot.
BLINK AND THEY’RE GONE
Marshall wasn't the only No.9 to cause havoc for the defence in round two.
At Kenthurst, Bailey Ma-Chong exploded from the base of the ruck with two first half tries for Parramatta, while Penrith’s Betsy Fifita showed how to crack the Bulldogs' line.
But for all-round brilliance, Frankie Cappello’s effort for the Raiders was tough to beat. After splitting the Tigers with a dummy and step, she returned one play later, diving under the posts for a well deserved four-pointer.
FULL CIRCLE
Talk about a whirlwind start to the season. After two outings, the Knights have finished at both ends of the spectrum.
Coming off a comprehensive 48-0 demolition of Souths, Newcastle quickly found out what it’s like to be on the other side after they failed to cross the stripe in a heavy 26-0 loss to Central Coast. They’ll be desperate to get back on the horse this week when they travel to Belconnen.
SLOW BUILD
Following last season’s epic run to the decider, big things were expected of the Wests Tigers in 2025.
Coming off an opening round loss to Central Coast, they were expected to outclass an inexperienced Raiders from the outset. They stormed clear 40-6, but they only clicked into gear after 20 minutes when the scores were locked six apiece.
ONE TO WATCH
With an eye to the finals, this week’s Canterbury versus Illawarra match-up promises to be an intriguing battle.
The Bulldogs are yet to be tested and the Steelers failed to concede a try in round one before last week’s bye. For Illawarra, it’s chance to get square with the Dogs after their surprising exit before last season’s grand final.
SG BALL
STEELERS’ ELECTRIC LEFT
Illawarra blew Manly away with three tries in the opening 14 minutes, and they all came down an electric left edge.
Fullback Lucas Borg set up the first, before five-eighth Aaymon Fitzgibbon put Jackson Smith across in the ninth minute.
In a warning to opposition coaches, Fitzgibbon and Borg then joined forces, sending Zane Timmins into the same corner to make it 16-zip.
RARE FOUR
It’s pretty rare to see a player score four tries, let alone in a losing side. But that’s exactly what happened to Knights winger Aidan Gow in the narrow loss to Norths.
Positioned outside Toby Winter, Gow ran in two four-pointers either side of the break and could easily have finished with five if not for a contentious forward pass ruling.
SECOND HALF FADE OUTS
Despite failing to register a win in the opening rounds, Wests have shown they’re not far off the pace, having matched it with both Balmain and Canterbury.
They led the Tigers at halftime, while against the Bulldogs they headed to the sheds with one try apiece. But it’s the second half where the problems start.
Balmain scored 22-6 after the break, while the Bulldogs stormed to victory with an 18-6 second stanza.
REAL DEAL RAIDERS
Canberra were a surprise omission from last year’s finals, so it was always going to be interesting to see how they rebounded in 2025.
So far so good. Pitted against two strong sides in Canterbury and Cronulla, the Rourke O’Sullivan coached Raiders have turned heads in both contests. With a big mobile pack and loads of skill out wide, this week’s clash with a dominant Illawarra shapes as another big test.
ALSO-RANS TO FINALS CONTENDERS
Twelve months ago after two rounds, Balmain and Souths were both nudging the bottom of the ladder wondering how to open their account.
Fast forward a year and both are riding high inside the top four with back-to-back victories. Now set to face teams coming off a last start loss, there’s every chance the two inner-city clubs could both peel off a miraculous hat-trick.
TARSHA GALE
PARRA’S ATTACKING FORCE
Parramatta’s attack has been clicking at an alarming rate for the rest of the competition.
They’ve got a good mix of hungry young talents along with those who have experience at higher levels, and the way they’ve been able to put opposition to the sword over the opening two rounds is extraordinary.
They piled on 48 against an improved North Sydney after cracking the half century against the Raiders, and they’ll be favoured to rack up a big score against Manly in round three.
CAN GRIND LEAD TO MORE?
It wasn’t pretty, but the Rabbitohs are on the board after escaping past the Dragons narrowly at Redfern.
Can this be the win that turns things around?
They’ll enjoy a bye round before coming up against defending premiers Illawarra, who took down St George by 12 in their opener.
FORWARDS FIND THEIR VOICE
The Wests Tigers are in a share of top spot after smashing Canberra to record their second win of the season, and they have one major reason for that.
Their forwards have been phenomenal to start the year and have got them on top early in both games.
There are some highly promising players among them and officials have to be impressed with what they’re giving so far.
SIGNING OF THE SEASON?
It’s only early doors, but Kirrawahn Duckett is shaping as one of the best new signings of the Gale Cup season.
The electrifying fullback scored in her debut last weekend and backed it up with a hat-trick in a huge win over Manly.
The Sharks are glad they were able to grab her from the Rabbitohs.
DEFENCE KEEPING ROOSTERS IN HUNT
While the Roosters only just went down in round one, they only conceded 12 points.
They again conceded first against the Knights, but it would be the only time their line was breached as they humbled Newcastle 30-6.
They currently boast the second-best defence in the comp, a trend they can hang their hat on in the weeks to come.
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