NSWRL Junior Reps Rd 7: 20 major talking points from Matts, Fiaola, Ball and Gale Cup action
Moving round delivered in every sense of the word as teams looked to punch their finals ticket and others dropped out of the race. Catch up on the 20 major talking points from round seven.
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Round seven signals finals time is on the radar in NSWRL Junior Reps as teams made their move while others saw theirs took a major hit.
See who gave their chances a boost in our 20 talking points from Matts, Fiaola, Ball and Gale Cup weekend action.
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HAROLD MATTHEWS
STANDING UP TO BE COUNTED
Talk about coming up clutch when it counts.
Payton Tarau did just that for the Rabbitohs as they escaped a last-minute thriller with Penrith, scoring the matchwinning try to cap off an 18-point haul.
With two points separating fourth and tenth, it’s no exaggeration to suggest that try could well have saved South Sydney’s season.
RUNNING HOT
There are few teams in better form than the Central Coast Roosters.
Hammered in round two after a first-round bye, the Roosters have won their last five games by an average margin of 24 points.
They’re playing with confidence and with an attacking flair that makes them so exciting to watch.
HOW THINGS CHANGE
After their defeats at the weekend, Western Suburbs and Canterbury officially dropped out of the race for the finals.
These two finished in the top two positions last year, with the Magpies going on to make the grand final.
With strong junior bases, there’s no doubt the pair will be back stronger in 2026.
FINDING FORM
Parramatta’s season can end as one that could’ve been, or it can be one that is remembered for a long time.
The Eels have lost two games by just two points, but find themselves back in the eight after a classy win over Wests.
They started hot and responded when Wests challenged them in a good display – now they have games against the Central Coast and Manly to try and book their finals spot.
STREAK ON THE LINE
Illawarra’s unbeaten run goes on the line against the Roosters in round eight, a clash that could well be replicated in a few weeks time.
The Steelers are the only undefeated team in the division, while the Roosters have their sights set on the top four and boast an explosive firepower few can match.
They scored three tries in the opening seven minutes against Canberra.
LISA FIAOLA
CONFIDENCE BOOST
Cronulla retained sixth spot on the ladder following their stunning upset victory over Central Coast, but what can’t be measured is the team’s boost in confidence.
In the run home they face tough but winnable contests against the Knights and Tigers, and are perfectly placed to hit the finals in fourth place.
RARE DAY OFF
The Roosters fell short in the Shire, but don’t write off the Central Coast girls just yet.
On a rare day off, they conceded three tries but you can expect the Roosters to be firing again in the finals. Along with the high flying Bulldogs, they’ve let in just 22 points in six starts.
FOOT OFF THE PEDAL
There’s little doubt that Canterbury are perfectly placed to claim back-to-back titles, and the Bulldogs showed just as much with six scorching first half tries against the fourth ranked Knights.
Newcastle reduced the flow of points after the break, but with only two tries you have to wonder if the Bulldogs eased back through the gears, saving themselves for another day.
GO LEFT
Illawarra collected a much needed victory over the Sea Eagles, and when Halle Barrett powered over early the Steelers continued to feed an electric left edge.
Halves Skye Spencer and Ella Greatz directed the traffic and with the likes of fullback Ella Churchill chiming in, the Steelers’ next three came along the same edge.
GREEN HOT
With two wins and four losses, Canberra have made a massive impression in their debut season.
They currently sit in ninth spot and with closing matches against the winless Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles, don’t be surprised to see the Raiders suit up in week-1 of the finals.
SG BALL
STORM WARNING
Melbourne continue to show they’re the real deal after the Storm made it five in succession with a stunning upset victory over Canberra.
Now poised to finish inside the top four, the Storm showed once again they can handle pressure situations, rising off the canvas to finish over the top of a highly touted Raiders combination.
THE WORM TURNS
The Rabbitohs have caught plenty unaware this season, but the magnitude of their victory over Penrith was a stunning reminder of the club’s improving pathways program.
Blessed with the largest league nursery in the state, Penrith’s best proved no match for Tyrone McCarthy’s electric Rabbitohs who showed they’re a genuine force in a nine tries to two rampage.
TOUGH COMP
Following their first half capitulation to the Roosters, it would be easy to write off Balmain after their impressive start to the season.
The Bondi Boys shot clear 30-4 before Balmain restored pride in a 14-point loss. The Roosters now sit seventh, just one point behind the Tigers, but with four competition points separating the top eight teams, every victory is a considerable achievement.
EELS ON TOP
With an emphatic victory over a resurgent Magpies, the Eels appear to have wrapped up the minor premiership with two rounds remaining.
One-point clear of Souths at the top of the table, it’s difficult to see Parra slipping up against the struggling Bears and Sea Eagles in the run home.
FINALS COME EARLY
Cronulla enjoyed a comfortable win over the Sea Eagles, but if they’re to improve on last season’s ninth spot they’ll need to keep racking up the wins.
It makes Sunday’s clash with Balmain a must watch at Sharks Stadium. With the Sharks ninth and the Tigers sixth, the result could shape the season of both teams.
TARSHA GALE
IN NEED OF A BOOST
The Roosters lost their second-straight game in the U19s, and it's the fashion that will have them upset.
They led 18-6 at halftime against the Sharks and weren’t able to hold off their charge as they scored four unanswered tries to claim the win.
They now find themselves in seventh and extremely long odds to make the top four.
BEARS FALL SHORT, AGAIN
You have to feel for this North Sydney side.
They’ve shown enough promise to suggest they should be fighting for eighth, not searching for the first win of the year in round seven.
Norths led 18-6 at the break and were denied by a penalty goal in the late stages to go down.
It comes off a draw against Manly the round prior.
PANTHERS SHOW GRIT
South Sydney hasn’t enjoyed a fruitful season, but they put together their best performance in a while to almost topple the Panthers.
They led with 12 minutes to go before a miracle run from Madison Wilson gave Penrith the win.
Most importantly it keeps their hopes for the top four alive.
EELS BACK IN THE FRAME
On the back of two-straight losses, Parramatta needed to get back on track and they did just that in a real slog against the Tigers.
They did it tough and their star forward pack stood tall in a much-needed performance in the run to the post-season.
KNIGHTS A SMOKIE
Newcastle sits in eighth and barring a miracle that’s where they will finish barring a miracle from Canberra.
Judging by their showing against Canterbury, teams will be wary about finishing fifth and copping them in the first week of finals.
They were overrun late but showed they can match it with the best team.
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