NSWRL Junior Reps: Final power rankings for all clubs, top try and point scorers from all grades

With the NSWRL Junior Reps regular season complete, we deliver our final power rankings of all teams as they prepare for the finals series.

Sosaia Alatini and the Bulldogs surge into number one on the power rankings. Picture: Julian Andrews

We’re at the end of the NSWRL Junior Reps regular season with finals now on the radar.

Taking all Lisa Fiaola, Harold Matthews, Tarsha Gale and SG Ball Cup fixtures into account, we power rank all 18 clubs from the regular season.

1. CANTERBURY BULLDOGS

Combined record: 28-2-3

Last week: 1st

Made the finals in all four competitions including two minor premierships (Fiaola and Matts) and a second-placed finish (Gale).

Their pathways are absolutely firing on all cylinders at the moment and they will love their chances heading into the finals.

2. ILLAWARRA STEELERS

Combined record: 24-9

Last week: 4th

The Steelers will have three teams in the finals after their SG Ball boys were able to secure a win over Norths and take sixth spot.

They will play next weekend while both female pathways teams enjoy a well-earned week off after finishing top two.

3. SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Record: 26-7

Last week: 2nd

Will feature in three finals series with their Lisa Fiaola girls narrowly missing out on points differential.

SG Ball completed their perfect regular season after holding off the Sharks, and now their Matts and Gale teams will face off with Cronulla in elimination games next week.

4. PARRAMATTA EELS

Record: 22-2-9

Last week: 5th

A great weekend saw them finish unbeaten and they can make a big impact in the finals with three teams qualifying.

Harold Matts finished the year unbeaten, while their SG Ball side pulled out the win of the weekend to down Wests and advance to the finals.

5. NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Combined record: 21-1-11

Last week: 6th

Went close to qualifying all four teams but will have to settle for three after Harold Matts were edged out.

They’ll be confident they can go further than week one, particularly with their Fiaola girls who finished the year on a superb winning streak.

6. WESTERN SUBURBS MAGPIES

Combined record: 11-2-4

Last week: 3rd

Their Harold Matts boys get the week off after forcing a draw against Parramatta, but their SG Ball side will watch the finals from the sidelines.

It was a tight finish but you can expect to see plenty of those names in higher grades throughout the year.

7. CENTRAL COAST ROOSTERS

Record: 9-1-5

Last week: 7th

They were agonisingly close to seeing both of their teams in the finals, with the Fiaola girls easily making it after a big win.

Their Harold Matts boys needed to win against Manly, but could only muster a draw and unfrotunately for them will miss out.

Tiana-Lee Thorne of the Wests Tigers in Tarsha Gale Cup. Picture: Sean Teuma

8. WESTS TIGERS

Record: 9-7

Last week: 9th

Ended the Gale season on a sour note after a big loss, but all attention is on the Fiaola girls who are coming into the finals in good form.

They had a big win of their own over Manly and have now set up a first round blockbuster with the Central Coast.

9. CRONULLA SHARKS

Combined record: 17-1-15

Last week: 8th

Will have two teams in the finals with their Gale and Matts teams progressing to the post-season.

Their U17s boys will have a slight advantage over opponents the Roosters after knocking them off at the weekend.

10. MANLY SEA EAGLES

Combined record: 13-3-17

Last week: 10th

Their Tarsha Gale girls will fly the flag for the Sea Eagles in the finals after losing just one game during the season.

That was a two-point loss to the Roosters and they can certainly feature prominently in the finals.

11. NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS

Combined record: 8-9

Last week: 11th

In a nice piece of history for the New Zealand club, their Harold Matthews boys advanced to the finals in their first season.

The ramifications that will have for future pathways is great and an exciting time for all across the ditch.

Brandon Tikinau and the SG Ball Dragons are the lone St George side in the finals. Picture: Sean Teuma

12. ST GEORGE DRAGONS

Combined record: 9-24

Last week: 14th

Their SG Ball team pulled out an incredible second half in order to lock up second spot and deny the Knights.

They were the bright spot for the Dragons this year with the female sides going winless and Harold Matts finishing in 15th.

13. CANBERRA RAIDERS

Record: 11-15

Last week: 12th

They’ll be left to rue a couple of narrow losses in Gale after they just missed out, but finished with a big win over the Rabbitohs.

Their male pathways showed glimpses of what they can do throughout the year but ultimately were soundly out of the race.

14. PENRITH PANTHERS

Combined record: 12-1-20

Last week: 13th

The first time in more than 20 years the Panthers won’t feature in the finals of the NSWRL Junior Reps.

Is it the end of an era? Short answer is no. There’s enough talent that will filter through to Flegg and NSW Cup to keep their streak intact.

Tylan Black Berryman and the SG Ball Rabbitohs finished the year on a high. Picture: Sean Teuma

15. SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

Record: 9-1-23

Last week: 16th

The Rabbitohs showed a lot of promise in the male pathways over the back half of the year, but left their run way too late.
They’ll be disappointed with the female sides however who both struggled at times to compete with the big guns.

16. MELBOURNE STORM

Record: 4-2-10

Last week: 15th

This year will be a big learning curve for the Storm as they look to develop into a genuine provider for their elite teams.

Performed admirably in their first season of Harold Matthews and will see their SG Ball top players step up to Flegg.

17. NORTH SYDNEY BEARS

Record: 2-2-29

Last week: 17th

The going was tough for the majority of the season for the Bears but they can use this to build in the coming years.

Will the talk of an NRL side change the fortunes of their Junior Reps in the future? Only time will tell.

18. BALMAIN TIGERS

Record: 0-17

Last week: 18th

Went through the season without a win in both of their male pathways but that’s not a fair reflection of their year.

SG Ball went within a point of knocking off the minor premiers in the early part of the season.