NSWRL Junior Reps round six: Top 12 performers, key talking points, full photo gallery
There’s just three weeks of the NSWRL Junior Reps regular season remaining. We take a look back at the top 12 performers from round six, plus check out our huge weekend photo gallery.
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In terms of wild round of NSWRL Junior Reps it will be hard to top what we witnessed at the weekend.
Here are the top performers from round six of the Lisa Fiaola, Tarsha Gale, Harold Matthews and SG Ball Cup competitions.
LISA FIAOLA CUP
MACEY COX (NEWCASTLE)
There were a host of Knights players that shone in a big win over St George, but it’s hard to overlook the efforts of Macey Cox.
She’s had a really strong season and was at her blistering best again as a running fullback.
Cox made something happen every time she touched the ball, setting up her teammates and scoring a classy double.
MIA VAOTUUA (CENTRAL COAST)
The Roosters are rocketing up the Lisa Fiaola standings and their strike centre is a big reason for that.
She continued her incredible try-scoring form with a hat-trick, but it’s the way she scored that has the Central Coast believing they can contend for a title.
Vaotuua was able to explode through the smallest of gaps and burn off her rivals with sheer pace. An exciting prospect.
LAHNAYAH DANIEL (CANTERBURY)
There was a four-try effort from Tejahla-Jane Daniels-Maifea and Evelyn Roberts controlled things beautifully out of dummy half.
But the performance of second rower Lahnayah Daniel was simply outstanding as she tore Manly to shreds out on an edge.
She hit the line strongly to score a four-pointer and was involved in countless more as the Bulldogs racked up 94 points.
TARSHA GALE CUP
INDIANA RUSSELL-LIA (MANLY)
The Sea Eagles cemented themselves as title contenders after becoming the first team to defeat Canterbury in the regular season since 2022.
Russell-Lia was a big reason for that with an explosive display that saw the front rower finish with a double.
She powered over the top of her rivals in a dominant showing that NRLW scouts should be taking notice of.
AYLAH MCCULLOCH (NEWCASTLE)
The Knights female pathways are blessed with incredible fullback talents and you can add Aylah McCulloch to the list.
Stepping in for Lilly-Ann White, McCulloch ripped St George apart with a clinical performance.
She finished the game with four try assists and played a major hand in another as she took over from the back.
IMOJEAN VEA (CANBERRA)
It was hard to knock the efforts of Lara Cosgrove and Elise Simpson who were simply brilliant.
But five-eighth Imojean Vea was outstanding for the Raiders as they moved back into finals contention.
She linked beautifully with her outside backs and looked in full control to help guide her side to a big win.
HAROLD MATTHEWS
JAMIE COWLING (CANBERRA)
It turned out to be the most exciting game of the weekend, and Jamie Cowling was the man to get it done for Canberra against Penrith.
Sold a lovely dummy to give Canberra the lead early in the contest as he sliced his way through, before showing his versatility with a chip and chase to set up Kruger Roache for the try of the game.
His boot gifted a try to Lochie Ellard, before he came into his own with scores tied in the 59th minute after he shaped to kick the field goal, before stepping and finding an overlap to help win the game.
KEONE ANITELEA TSIOUSSIS (SOUTH SYDNEY)
Given his chance to start in the halfback role for the first time this season and didn’t disappoint with the Newington College student starring.
Put the writing on the wall early as he took the ball to the line and had the Bears defence guessing for the whole afternoon.
Ended the game with a try and three try assists as he went deep into his back of tricks to lock down the jersey for the rest of the season.
LOCKYER-AZILE FOLIOLA (MELBOURNE)
Such a talented dummy half who the Storm should be looking to lock down in their pathways for years to come.
He was simply dominant around the ruck and Manly had little answer for him close to their line as Foliola did what he wanted.
Set up the opening two tries for big front rower Phoenix Woods, before he scored one of his own and was able to lay on another for Micah Warena for good measure.
SG BALL
FLETCHER HUNT (NEWCASTLE)
Makes this list for the second-straight week after an attacking masterclass to deliver Newcastle a key win in their grand final rematch with Parramatta.
Hunt was unstoppable as he guided the Knights attack and helped flying winger Harley Walker to a hat-trick.
He had two try assists and set up another, with the pick of the bunch a lovely chip off one step to hit Walker on the chest to score with ease.
HEITH PRITCHARD (WESTERN SUBURBS)
The classy five-eighth continues to impress with every week as the Magpies continue their charge up the ladder.
His combination with Tallyn Da Silva and Luke Keppie is one of the best in the comp as evidenced with his two try assist performance.
He helped to set up another two with his running game on full display.
RATU RINAKAMA (CANTERBURY)
We saw a bit of everything from Ratu Rinakama as the exciting winger showed off his pace, athleticism and undoubted talent in a big win over Cronulla.
Rinakama finished with a hat-trick to keep him in contention for top tryscorer honours, including his second of the afternoon that saw him ground the ball while being lifted into touch.
To spread the love, a rampaging Rinakama sprinted down the sideline and could’ve had his fourth, but opted to set up a teammate instead.
ROUND SIX TALKING POINTS
REACHING FOR THE RECORD BOOKS
The 17-try demolition at Chester Hill by the Bulldogs in Lisa Fiaola Cup had everybody scrambling.
It’s the biggest scoreline we’ve witnessed in the competition and the biggest margin of victory on record that we can find.
The scary thing for the rest of the competition is that Manly are no slouches and have put together two big wins of their own.
This Canterbury side is on another level.
TRY OF THE YEAR CONTENDER
There was plenty to choose from, but from the same fixture the effort of Josinah Filisi Tauiliili in the 60th minute was extraordinary.
The bench forward showed no signs of fatigue in the hot conditions as she raced 60 metres one off the play the ball to burst her way through.
She was involved in a host of other tries and gives a real impact to the Bulldogs.
MANLY CONQUERS THE STREAK
In brighter news for Manly their Tarsha Gale squad was able to end the unbeaten run of Canterbury.
It’s the first regular season loss they’ve suffered since 2022 with the Sea Eagles now just one of two undefeated sides in the U19s women along with Illawarra.
They’re sneaking under the radar and are a side that knows how to get the job done when the game is on the line.
FORMLINES OUT THE WINDOW
If you’re trying to predict the week-to-week results across the grades you’d be doing as well as most people’s SuperCoach teams from round one.
Canberra’s Harold Matthews side was winless through five rounds but managed to knock off the Panthers in a huge upset.
Parramatta put 50 points on the Roosters in Lisa Fiaola and Manly scored its first win over a strong Melbourne SG Ball side.
Good luck with your tips for round seven!
EELS MAKE HUGE STATEMENT
Parramatta started the Lisa Fiaola season with a heavy defeat, but since that point they’ve looked every bit the title contender.
Their winning run stands at four and they put the exclamation point on things with a massive 50-4 win over the highly regarded Roosters.
It sets up a blockbuster clash with the Central Coast this weekend as the Roosters look to build on their win over Penrith.
CAN ANYONE STOP CHOOKS?
The Roosters remain on their lonesome at the top of the SG Ball standings, and after a hammering of St George at the weekend it begs the question on if anyone can put an end to their run.
Their attack is able to turn it on in an instant but it’s their defence that will be most pleasing.
They were able to hold a potent Dragons outfit to just 10 points, and have only conceded more than 16 just once this season.
CONSISTENCY KEY FOR RAIDERS
Putting similar performances together has been an issue for Canberra in all grades this season.
But if they can take some inspiration from their past weekend it’s not too late to salvage the year.
They were superb across the board against a strong Panthers club, coming away with three wins.
None were more thrilling than their last-ditch success in Harold Matthews.
Finals remains on the cards if they can go on a run to end the season.
CLOSE TO THE SMARTEST PLAY
It just wasn’t happening for the Central Coast Roosters in the first half of their Harold Matts clash with Parramatta.
They were down 22-0 and lacking a spark, before Isaac Fotu-Moala slotted a field goal right on the siren to send them into the sheds down 21.
It almost proved a masterstroke as they got back to 26-21 with seven minutes remaining, but unfortunately for them they couldn’t muster one last try.
THREE WAY RACE FOR THE TOP
Top two spots are a premium in the Junior Reps, and three unbeaten teams remain in the hunt in the U17s boys.
Western Suburbs sits at a perfect 5-0 record while a draw between Canterbury and Parramatta has the pair a point behind them.
With the Roosters in the picture sitting at just a win from top spot, we’re in for a fantastic finish over the next three rounds to determine top two finishes.
KNIGHTS RUNNING HOT
For the second-straight week Newcastle has gone undefeated across all grades and they remain a genuine chance of qualifying in all four divisions.
They’ve completely turned it around in Lisa Fiaola to rise from winless to seventh in the space of a fortnight.
In SG Ball they continue on their hot run of form and look like they can replicate their grand final appearance from last season.
WEEKEND GALLERY
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