Penrith District Rugby League: Round 11 talking points, Don Feltis Cup
Amid a sea of new faces in local Penrith footy, one St Marys wrecking ball is quickly building a spectacular highlights reel. Crucial combinations and more, Don Feltis Cup talking points.
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As players continue to come and go in the Don Feltis Cup, one Fijian flyer made an epic statement last weekend at Parker Street Reserve. While at the same venue, the power of established combinations was also on show.
That and more, round 11 talking points.
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FLYING FIJIAN ON FIRE
Parker Street Reserve may be worlds away from the game’s biggest stages, but last weekend, a Fijian wrecking ball unleashed his inner Semi Radradra in an electrifying display for St Marys.
Simply refusing to be tackled, Sailosi Torovi torched Brothers’ right edge, fending and bumping his way to a breathtaking first half double.
Flagged by John Faiumu as a surprise packet before the season started, the captain-coach continues to be blown away by his off-season recruit.
“Sailosi stood out on the wing,” he said following the 32-all draw.
“He doesn’t play regularly, but when he does he’s awesome to watch. He came to us along with a couple of mates, and we thought he was one to keep.
“It’s a bit weird, because we don’t even know what position he plays. We could put him in the middle and he’d just run the ball hard, the exact same thing he does on the wing.”
RISING COMBO
With a come-from-behind draw, a familiar combination proved pivotal as Brothers kept their season alive.
Chasing points in a frenetic ending with St Marys, Zane Lang crossed twice, and it was the centre’s potent mix outside five-eighth Jarrod Considine that proved the difference.
Running a direct line in the closing minutes, Land steamed onto a perfect pass from Considine to keep the chase alive.
“They’re probably one of our more solid combinations in the team,” said Brothers coach Damien Lane.
“We get a lot of changes week-to-week, and those two bring consistency on the left edge. They’re getting better every week.
“Jared is a really talented footballer. To be honest, I don’t know how he’s just playing A-grade, but I’m happy to have him.”
BIG GAME TIP
Video footage of Windsor’s victory over Emu Plains scarcely does the battle justice. Standing on the sidelines, the ferocity and deafening crunch of bodies proved there was more at stake than just two competition points.
In a warning to finals aspirants, battered Wolves skipper Eton Lindsay pointed to the grind of big-game footy.
“That’s all I focus on,” he said following his side’s 30-16 statement victory.
“Getting into that grind. The more errors you have, obviously, against a team like Emu, they make you pay for it. So we just wanted to cut the errors and then add vision.
“And we got lucky today. But we did the work to get lucky.”
WINNING-ISH
While an improving Minchinbury have struggled to get across the line in recent weeks, with the aid of some hefty starts, they’ve managed to keep both hands on the Don Feltis Challenge Cup.
The Jets have taken the weekly winners cheque following their past three defeats, and they’ll fancy another $500 on Sunday when they host Windsor backed by a whopping +45.5 head start.
MAGIC ROUND RETURNS
Following the success of last season’s inaugural Magic Round, it’s time to mark July 11 12 in the calendar, as the second version promises to be even bigger.
Doubling as Indigenous Round, Leonay Oval is once again set to become the hub of local footy with a swag male and female talent slogging it out in a variety of competitions.
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ROUND 12
SATURDAY, JULY 5
Brothers v Colyton, Parker Street Reserve
SUNDAY, JULY 6
Riverstone v Cambridge Park, Basil Andrews Playing Fields
Minchinbury v Windsor, Federation Forest
St Clair v Emu Plains, Peppertree Sporting Complex
Bye: St Marys
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