Penrith District Rugby League season preview: Every club profiled ahead of the 2024 season
The Penrith District RL season is scheduled to kick off in April. With plenty of changes in the top grade, see how your team stacks up in our comprehensive 2024 season preview.
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Local footy is back, and the best A-grade talent in the area is ready to unleash in another season of the Penrith and District Junior Rugby League.
The new nine-team competition kicks off in April and will be hotly contested over 18 rounds before the race to the decider is whittled down to five teams in August.
We profile the teams in this year’s competition. See how your team shapes up in 2024.
ST CLAIR COMETS
Captains: Tinirau Arona, Robert Henderson
Coach: Ayden Pittman-Lyon
Home ground: Peppertree Sporting Complex
Major new signings: Tinirau Arona (ex-NRL Roosters and Sharks), Ethan Mokoia (ex-Ryde Eastwood), Josh Kalati (ex NSW Cup/RMC – Canterbury)
Departures: Nil
Players to watch: Tinirau Arona returns to St Clair following a distinguished 12-year career in both the NRL and Super League. Nudging 35, the powerful forward still has the skills and nous to help rocket the Comets back into finals contention.
In what shapes as a formidable pack, prop Ethan Mokoia brings a wealth of experience from the Sydney Shield and Ron Massey Cup. While Josh Kalati joins from the Bulldogs after a brilliant 2023, where the front-rower was named Canterbury’s RMC player of the year.
In the halves, local young guns Horatio Edwards and Malakai Houia bring a mix of speed and variety off the boot. And a special shout-out to veteran outside back Robert Henderson – St Clair’s most capped player – who is set to add to his more than 300 appearances.
Surprise packet: Behind a dominant pack, don’t be surprised if speedy hooker Bryson Demanuele becomes a crowd favourite.
Why they will be competitive: After the disappointment of 2023, St Clair visited the market in a busy off-season. Now with experience and the exuberance of rising local talent, the Comets appear destined for a finals return.
Opening three rounds: Brothers (A), St Marys (H), Cambridge Park (H)
Last season: 10th
ST MARYS
Captain: Tyrone Glassie
Coach: Tama Taoho
Home ground: St Marys Leagues Stadium
Major new signings: Several recruits from Queensland and regional NSW.
Departures: Reece Lipowicz (Cambridge Park), Bailey Nouredine (Glenmore Park)
Players to watch: Promising fullback Xavior Savesi returns after picking up the club award for Open Men’s Player of the Year in 2023. After an outstanding pre-season he has the potential to lift another notch or two.
Henry Togise has been tasked to lead the pack in his second season. Damaging upfront or locking the scrum, his output is sure to influence the result alongside skipper and halfback Tyrone Glassie.
Surprise packet: Kye Eldridge is a promising young back-rower from last year’s winning C-Grade side. Now part of the St Marys senior system, he’s one to keep an eye on during his first year in opens.
Why they will be competitive: A proud club operating under the motto, “never take a backwards step”, St Marys is once again expected to feature at the business end of the season. One of several clubs fielding teams in Sydney Shield and Ron Massey Cup, coach Tama Taoho said his side will be young and competitive.
Typically strong across all grades, St Marys has been active over the summer bolstering its stocks from other Sydney districts, country regions and Queensland.
Opening three rounds: Cambridge Park (H), St Clair (A), Glenmore Park (H)
Last season: Minor premiers (lost GF qualifier)
BROTHERS
Captain: TBA
Coach: Damien Lane
Home ground: Parker Street Reserve
Major new signings: Kaylan Murray (Narrabri), Brendan Randall (North West), John Hanson (North West)
Departures: Dylan Hodson (Sydney Shield – Brothers), Raymond Mikaele (Ryde Eastwood)
Players to watch: Western NSW signing Kaylan Murray arrives from Narrabri, and with a regular habit for crossing the stripe the experienced utility is sure to turn heads.
Ex-North West centre Brendan Randall comes with a solid reputation and has been flagged to start in the pack. Out wide, Isaac Petrus packs plenty of punch from centre or fullback. Solid and fast, look for him to lift his teammates with physicality on both sides of the ball.
Surprise packet: A key member of last season’s under-19 outfit, with half a chance, slippery playmaker Tyren Ryan could force his way into the top grade. Small in stature, his lack of self preservation in defence could prove a point of difference.
Why they will be competitive: Brothers offer a genuine pathway to Sydney Shield, Ron Massey Cup, and ultimately the Penrith Panthers. They missed the finals last season, but with so much aspiring young talent on the books, they won’t be down for long.
At the whim of higher grade selections, coach Damien Lane expects his top 17 to vary each week. But with several seasoned campaigners adding stability, Brothers expect to make the finals.
Opening three rounds: St Clair (H), Emu Plains (A), Windsor (H)
Last season: 8th
EMU PLAINS
Captain: Thomas Romer
Coach: Darren Bell
Home ground: Leonay Oval
Major new signings: Blake McDermott (North West), Isaac Thompson (Mounties), Cameron Williams (The Oaks), Ryan Jervis (Lithgow)
Departures: Sam McKendry (retired), Ryan Eisenhuth (Brothers – RMC), Jake Stig (Mounties – Sydney Shield), James Riik (Cambridge Park)
Players to watch: Following the departure of several key figures from last season’s grand final winning combination, the arrival of former Penrith NSW Cup five-eighth Isaac Thompson comes as a massive bonus. Brings pace, skill and leadership.
Cameron Williams joins Thompson in the halves. A fierce competitor, Williams guided The Oaks to last year’s Macarthur reserve grade title and finished the season with more than 200 points.
Upfront, Beau Ferguson brings experience, while Ryan Jervis is an old school prop from Lithgow. Sam Cookson backs up again and offers utility value across the park.
Surprise packet: One of several rising teenagers, Albert Harland is a nuggety hooker known for his explosiveness and ability to kick long from dummy-half.
Why they will be competitive: Despite the loss of numerous big names, the reigning premiers appear to have filled the gaps with several astute off-season signings. Will be hunted every week, but with Thomas Romer leading the charge, they are well equipped to go back-to-back for the first time in the club’s history.
Opening three rounds: Windsor (A), Brothers (H), Minchinbury (H)
Last season: Premiers
CAMBRIDGE PARK
Captain: Will Broadhead
Coach: Aaron Mallett
Home ground: Allsopp Patterson Oval
Major new signings: Reece Lipowicz (St Marys – Sydney Shield)
Departures: Nil
Players to watch: A key player in the halves, Marli Sini brings power and speed and is at his best when taking on the line. Forward Rhys Falconer is another dangerous runner, but the big No.13 can also play ball and is a real danger in traffic.
When it comes to rolling up the sleeves, backrower Lachlan Crossley is a tireless 80-minute worker, and is the perfect offsider for relentless prop and respected skipper, Will Broadhead.
Surprise packet: Local junior Cameron Keene proved a handful at times in first grade last season. Set to play centre, his strong defence will be an important cog on the right edge.
Why they will be competitive: Just missed out on last year’s finals after they were stripped competition points. Still boast a young side, with each member of the spine 22 or younger. Despite an apparent lack of experience, coach Aaron Mallett says his side will surprise plenty and they will be disappointed to miss the finals.
Opening three rounds: St Marys (A), Colyton (H), St Clair (A)
Last season: 7th
COLYTON COLTS
Captain: Jayden Murphy-Hinton
Coach: Scott Thompson
Home ground: Cec Blinkhorn Oval
Major new signings: Blake Hill (Beerwah Bulldogs), Jesse Poulsen
Departures: Benjamin Bragg (retired)
Players to watch: In a competition blessed with quality edge backrowers, Kohen Wright more than holds his own. Prefers the right edge and is no stranger to opening doors for his supports. Joshua Ross compliments Wright in the pack, and last season was among the team’s best.
The brains in attack, Jayden Murphy-Hinton has played SG Ball for Penrith and compliments vision with versatility in combination with cagey playmaker Benjamin Hudd.
Blake Hill is another to keep an eye on. The lock’s arrival from the Sunshine Coast is sure to raise the bar in centrefield.
Surprise packet:Les Kini didn’t let anyone down in his first year in the top grade and the rugged prop won’t be concerned with second season syndrome. Sticks his melon where most don’t, and has the splits to prove it.
Why they will be competitive: Were bundled out in the opening week of last year’s finals, but have worked hard in the off-season to extend the club’s depth. The majority of the 2023 squad remain, and with some key additions are once again expected to make the August cut.
Opening three rounds: Glenmore Park (H), Cambridge Park (A), Minchinbury (H)
Last season: 5th
WINDSOR WOLVES
Captain: Troy Dargin
Coach: Troy Dargin
Home ground: Windsor Sports Ground
Major new signings: Connor Mason (Penrith – NSW Cup)
Departures: Dave McKay, Tuni Taualii (Brothers – RMC), Nick Murphy (Penrith – Jersey Flegg)
Players to watch: Former Panther Connor Mason joins the Wolves and is a welcome addition following the departure of Dave McKay. A gun half with several NSW Cup matches under his belt, Mason could well become the best playmaker in the comp.
Coupled with the magic of Tori and Riki Willie, Windsor fans can expect plenty of opportunities to jump out of their seats. The points don’t stop out wide either, prop Eton Lindsay crossed twice in last season’s grand final.
Surprise packet: Still on Mason, it will be interesting to see how the 21-year-old goes in his first full season in the local comp. Super fit and organised, if his trial form is any guide, Windsor will be tough to beat.
Why they will be competitive: With a stack of players north of 30, Windsor seem to be an ageing side. But with several key energetic additions, captain-coach Troy Dargin is genuinely excited and has good reason to believe they can take the next step.
Opening three rounds: Emu Plains (H), Minchinbury (A), Brothers (A)
Last season: Runner-up
GLENMORE PARK BRUMBIES
Captain: TBA
Coach: Shawn Stevens
Home ground: Ched Towns Reserve
Major new signings: Dave Baumann (Hills District Bulls), Andrew Aiono (Wentworthville), Hayden Riley, Bailey Nouredine (St Marys - SS)
Departures: Ali Chrara (retired)
Players to watch: In an off-season quirk, last season’s finalists St Patricks won’t feature in 2024, with the majority of the squad agreeing to suit up for Glenmore Park.
Already boasting a strong outfit, the Brumbies have been further bolstered by a couple of Sydney Shield big guns. Hills District backrower Dave Baumann plays big minutes, while former Wenty middle, Andrew Aiono, has the foot work to burn the best defence.
Surprise packet: Mark Howlett is an emerging 19-year-old outside back from St Pats. Solid and with a strong carry, he’s set to become a force at both ends of the field.
Why they will be competitive: Glenmore Park struggled for numbers last year and finished at the foot of the table, while St Pats’ season was cut short against eventual premiers Emu Plains in extraordinary circumstances.
With the nucleus of the St Pats team back on deck, it will be interesting to see how they respond to last season’s heartbreak.
Opening three rounds: Colyton (A), bye, St Marys (A)
Last season: 11th
MINCHINBURY
Captain: TBA
Coach: Gavin Dunn
Home ground: Federation Forest
Opening three rounds: Bye, Windsor (H), Colyton (A)
Last season: 9th
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