Penrith District Rugby League: Meet 30+ young guns in the U19s finals
It’s finals time in local Penrith footy, and the region’s next generation of stars are gearing up in the battle for the under-19s premiership. Meet 30+ young guns on show in the finals.
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A big month of Penrith footy is set to explode into action with the commencement of the local finals.
With some of the region’s best up and coming talent on show in the under-19s, we profile more than 30 players from all six finals teams.
Check out the stars on show.
ST MARYS SAINTS (1ST)
ZEDRICK TUPULUA
Prop/Lock
After playing junior reps for Manly in 2023, Zedrick returned to Penrith and this year kicked on to play a full season of SG Ball Cup (under-19s) with the Panthers.
A member of the premiership winning under-19s last year, he is one of St Marys’ top forwards and is known for big minutes and a never-say-die attitude.
COOPER FLOOD
Hooker
A versatile hooker, Flood is equally at home in the No.13 jumper and this season was crowned MVP following a standout season for Penrith in the Harold Matthews Cup (under-17s). Dangerous with and without the ball, his game continues to develop at a rapid rate.
MALAKAI TUIPULOTU
Halfback
Malakai is the Saints’ chief organiser, and with a calm head is capable of kicking the side out of trouble. A full tilt, he possesses the size and strength to test the best defence.
JOSIAH VAHAAKOLO-FIFITA
Second row
Among the best in the pack, the Penrith pathways rep is no stranger to breaking the line. A member of last year’s under-17s grand final side, Josiah has gone to another level this year and leads the side for tries scored.
EJ SAVESI
Centre
Another with SG Ball experience, the gifted centre uses height and pace to light up the right edge. Is equally dangerous stepping off both feet and knows how to find the line.
CAINE JOHNSTONE
Five eighth
Tall and slightly built, Caine has quickly found his feet since returning from a knee injury. Consistent and skilful, the silky smooth playmaker runs the left edge, and doesn’t mind a no-look pass.
ST CLAIR COMETS (2ND)
MARCUS PATIOLE-JOHNSON
Second row
A major attacking threat, the mobile backrower is a powerhouse on the Comets’ right side of the field. Can crash through the line, and has a clever passing game in heavy traffic.
MITCHELL OWEN
Halfback
An off-season recruit from St Marys, the stocky ball playing utility is fast making a name for himself and has also turned out for the Comets in first grade. Brings a pinpoint kicking game and has the power to score tries at the drop of a hat.
EZRIAH LEAUANAE
Five-eighth
A fleet-footed No.6, Ezriah is explosive off the mark and can slice through the narrowest of gaps. Kicks well in attack, and his grubber from close range is difficult to defend.
DECLAN CONNELLY
Hooker
An unfashionable hooker with a game built on heart and desire. Declan isn’t the biggest on the books, but he offers slick service around the ruck and can drop the big boys with an old school tackling technique.
CHAS RIDDLE
Fullback
Another rising Comet that has tasted first grade this season, Chas is a long striding outside back who celebrated Magic Round with a four-pointer against Windsor in the top grade.
WINDSOR WOLVES (3RD)
HENRI YOUNG
Prop/Second row
Menacing and rangy, Henri is a respected middle known for carving out big minutes. Joined the Windsor campaign after spending the early part of the year playing SG Ball for the Balmain Tigers.
JACK DICKINSON
Second row
Another of the Windsor pack to test the pathways further afield, this former North Sydney Bears backrower is credited for his toughness and tireless efforts.
COOPER HENDERSON
Fullback
A dynamic fullback with a dangerous turn of speed, the flyer in white headgear is fast becoming compulsive viewing. Currently in the junior reps mix, no player has scored more tries than the Wolves No.1 this season.
JAYDEN BUSFIELD
Centre
One of the Windsor feel-good stories, Jayden is currently enjoying a breakout season since stepping up from the Wolves’ under-17 Division 2 side. More than capable in the top grade, the young centre has crossed for seven tries.
HARRISON BULL
Halfback
A halfback with a decent bag of tricks, Harrison’s hard work is starting to get recognised. All going well, the Windsor skipper could nail down a spot in Penrith’s under-19 squad next season.
TYSON KUNKEL
Lock
One of the louder voices in the Windsor pack, the North Sydney Bears rep is a chief organiser in defence. Brings good all-round skills, and knows how to put a teammate through a gap.
SAMUEL SHERLOCK
Centre
A quality centre and reliable finisher, Samuel plays on the left edge and has already crossed nine times this season. A former Balmain Tiger, he’s one to keep an eye on.
LATRELL FING
Five-eighth
The Dubbo playmaker has a finger in plenty of pies. Recognised for his pace at the Bulldogs, the gifted ballplayer continues to push for a spot in the Canterbury Jersey Flegg (under-21s) squad.
GLENMORE PARK BRUMBIES (4TH)
ZAID LEHN
Five eighth/hooker
A natural with ball in hand, the Panthers rep is electric off the mark and almost averages a try with every outing. Crossed for a memorable four-pointer in last year’s decider and will once again carry the side’s hope in attack.
JACK EWER
Lock
The workaholic skipper goes all day and will be desperate to erase memories of last season’s heartbreaking extra-time draw in the grand final. The current Penrith SG Ball captain, Jack is a vital cog in the Glenmore Park machine and continues to enhance a growing reputation.
TOM VANEGAS
Winger/fullback
A tall and athletic winger, the Penrith SG Ball rep is a respected finisher and can expect to see plenty of ball from the Brumbies halves.
LIAM PERRAM
Second row
There’s nothing flash about Liam Peram, but the backrower gets through a mountain of work that can largely go unnoticed. Another on the Penrith books, he’s a big game player.
JACOB KELLY
Centre/winger
A pacy centre, Jacob is at home on either edge and sits near the top of the try scoring list. In a season to remember, he scored two tries on first grade debut this year, including a long range intercept.
No slouch with the boot, he’s also a handy option from the tee.
COLYTON COLTS (5TH)
JACK ATTARD
Five eighth/fullback
One of the brightest prospects in the Penrith district, Attard recently represented NSWCCC at the under-18 ASSRL National Championships in Coffs Harbour. Following several stunning performances, he was named at fullback for the Australian Schoolboys.
CAMERON ROBERTSON
Halfback
One of several Colts juniors to make their first grade debut this season, Robertson is a rising playmaker and regular in the under-19s for Penrith.
BILLY THOMPSON
Hooker
The Penrith pathways rep continues to find his feet after recovering from several long term shoulder injuries. Dangerous around the ruck, Billy burrowed over to score during his first grade debut against St Marys.
MITCHELL HEATHER
Centre/winger
Known as Colyton’s Mr Dependable, the centre will look to extend what has already become a memorable season. A reliable defender with a strong carry, in addition to several first grade outings, Mitchell has also signed a one-year Jersey Flegg deal with Penrith.
HAYDEN BROWN
Prop
The punishing prop with a big mullet is fast becoming a cult hero at Colyton. With no self-preservation, Hayden continually launches his body into the opposition defence.
Just turned 18, and is on target to crack next year’s SG Ball squad.
JWAKEEM HAPE-VA’A
Second row
The busy backrower is quickly making a name for himself. After spending the early part of the year play reps for North Sydney, Jwakeem joined Colyton’s big boys in first grade where he didn’t look out of place.
BROTHERS (6TH)
EJAYA AGBERE
Centre
Blink and he’s gone, just like when he struck four times recently against Cambridge Park. Deceptively quick, Ejaya can cover just about every position on the park and is a motivator in defence.
JOSEPH VELLA
Prop/second row
A coach’s dream, Joseph in an old school front-rower good for multiple carries in each set. Mistake free, the man mountain has reached new heights in his second season of under-19s.
WILL HERBERT
Halfback
The little general brings an excellent kicking game and strong communication skills sharpened by stints at Penrith. Happy calling the shots, but also backs himself at the line.
SEMISI FAASISILA
Second row
The Brothers backrower only knows one way – a thousand miles an hour. After recently returning to the field from a fractured cheekbone, Semisi has continued from where he left off.
COOPER HALE
Centre
According to coach Aaron Edgar, the pathways centre ‘hits the line like there’s no tomorrow’. A big body, they reckon the only thing Cooper loves more than footy is a big session at the gym.
KYE RAVEN
Lock
A former MVP winner for Penrith Harold Matts, Raven continues to make giant strides with Brothers in the open-age Sydney Shield competition. A noted try scorer, senior results pending, the award-winning lock could make a surprise appearance in the under-19s finals.
JACK HANCOCK
Hooker
Many have come unstuck after mistaking the diminutive No.9 for a speed-bump. Has all the speed and skills you need in a hooker, but also hits like a sledgehammer in defence. If needed, Jack can also kick goals.
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