Regional talents: 60 players to watch in the 2025 Andrew Johns/Laurie Daley Cup competitions
Regional pride is on show as the best emerging talents look to make their mark in the Johns and Daley Cup competitions. We look at 60 young guns ready to shine this season.
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Regional pride and a shot at the big time are on the line for another year.
The Andrew Johns (U16s) and Laurie Daley (U18s) Cup comps are back with more eyes than ever on the country talent looking to make their mark.
After chatting with all 20 teams involved in this year’s competitions, we take a look at the 60 players to watch in 2025.
JUMP TO
Andrew Johns Cup - Laurie Daley Cup
ANDREW JOHNS CUP
Samuel Michie (Central Coast Roosters)
A hard-running player who has the versatility to fill a number of roles (halves, second row, lock). Will start the season in the middle and lead from the front.
Tukia Fotu-Moala (Central Coast Roosters)
A young halfback who is coming back from injury, he’ll be eager to put that behind him as he showcases his attacking prowess and strong kicking game.
Allan Lardner (Central Coast Roosters)
A representative with the NSW Indigenous side, Lardner has been described as an explosive centre who will make an impact with every touch of the ball.
Darcy Farquhar (Illawarra South Coast Dragons)
Has been given the honour as captain of the Dragons this season and won’t let anybody down. Can fill in from one to 13, although will start the season calling the shots at the back.
Fletcher Couchman (Illawarra South Coast Dragons)
The younger brother of boom St George Illawarra twins Ryan and Toby, Fletcher has an elite pedigree and is an attacking half on the way up.
Preston Ruiz (Illawarra South Coast Dragons)
An up and coming second rower who is a Stingrays junior. Gets his chance to show that he belongs at this level.
Ashton Dewanto (Macarthur Wests Tigers)
The East Campbelltown junior has excelled in the pre-season. That work ethic has impressed officials as he looks to break into a strong side.
Sonny Mills (Macarthur Wests Tigers)
A back-rower who started out in the Harold Matthews program and has taken the side to another level. Brings a level of professionalism since coming back to this grade.
Sebastian Pei (Macarthur Wests Tigers)
The front rower from Campbelltown Collegians is no stranger to getting across the tryline and brings good size to what is shaping as an imposing forward pack.
Marlowe Young (Monaro Colts)
Hails from Goulburn and the back-rower has impressed team officials with the attitude he brings and his football brain. A real leader among the group.
Drew Kemp (Monaro Colts)
The halfback gets his chance to shine after making the ACT U15s Schoolboys and being part of the Raiders development squad in the past.
Jack Ryan (Monaro Colts)
Partnering Kemp in the halves is Ryan. Comes from the strong West Belconnen junior club and can also feature at lock if required.
Morgan Carter (Newcastle Maitland Region Knights)
A talented young centre who brings plenty of promise, Carter comes into this season after an impressive display for the NSW U16s Koori team.
Chayce Afa (Newcastle Maitland Region Knights)
A dual-code talent in both league and union, Afa will showcase his skills in the 13-a-side game after spending time in the NSW Waratahs Academy.
Charlie Burey (Newcastle Maitland Region Knights)
The halfback of the team who will have no troubles shouldering that responsibility. Mature for his age with a good footy head on his shoulders.
Cooper Bannon (North Coast Bulldogs)
A back-rower from Port Macquarie, Bannon has shown promise as a NSWCCC representative and performed well at that higher level.
Noah Langdon (North Coast Bulldogs)
An electric fullback who is capable of breaking a game open, Langdon is a leader among the group and one of the best talkers in the side.
Javier House (North Coast Bulldogs)
The five-eighth/halfback from Sawtell has looked extremely comfortable at this level and has been one of the most impressive during the pre-season.
Lex Izzard (Northern Rivers Titans)
The son of former Panthers star Brad, Lex is making a name for himself as an exciting five-eighth who has showed a lot of promise in both league and union.
Cruz Sewell (Northern Rivers Titans)
A zippy dummy half who can thank touch football for his evasive skills, Sewell shapes as a key man to getting the Titans rolling.
Jaylon Russell (Northern Rivers Titans)
Studies at league powerhouse school Keebra Park and plays with Tweed at club level. Russell will put his name in the mix for one of the fastest fullbacks in the comp.
Sam Oliver (Northern Tigers)
The Singleton junior has been named as the captain of the Tigers and the young halfback is hoping he can replicate a club premiership at the Johns Cup level.
Thoedore Ballard (Northern Tigers)
Brings a good size to the second row and the Aberdeen junior looks like he will cause plenty of havoc on an edge.
Dustin Hiscock (Northern Tigers)
Coming off a strong season that saw him represent NSW CHS, the Dungowan product is a strong-bodied centre who can shine.
Logan Foster (Riverina Bulls)
One of the standouts of the pre-season, Foster brings a level of competitiveness that is wanted across the board. A strong runner of the ball.
Kobe Gustowski (Riverina Bulls)
The five-eighth will captain the Riverina side this season. Look for his running game to catch teams off guard with his explosive speed.
Zayd Williams (Riverina Bulls)
Coming off a pre-season spent training with Canberra in Harold Matthews, Williams is a smart halfback who will excel in the U16s.
Thomas Maas (Western Rams)
From the strong St John’s club in Group 10, Maas can fill a number of roles but will take on the hooking duties. A strong leader who will captain the side in 2025.
Archie Black (Western Rams)
A Nyngan junior who brings a typical country toughness to the Rams. Will start the season at halfback and isn’t scared to get through work in defence.
Billie Caton (Western Rams)
Another St John’s product in the Western Rams side, Caton is a hardworking fullback who is strong with his returns. Also has shown promise in union.
LAURIE DALEY CUP
Riley Ilham (Central Coast Roosters)
Captained the 2023 Johns Cup side to a premiership, the lock is looking to return to his best after injuries impacted last season. A tough player.
Brok Elliott (Central Coast Roosters)
The younger brother of future Roosters talent Jake, Brok is looking to follow a similar trajectory. Has experience training with SG Ball and can take over a team at this level.
Tayte Bayley (Central Coast Roosters)
A strong centre who has been with the club for a while. Gives a talented halves pairing a genuine strike weapon on an edge.
Lexin and Rhys O’Dea (Illawarra South Coast Dragons)
A halfback/second-rower combination, the duo are always on the same page and that is an underrated trait when moving towards more elite football. They play on the same edge and will form a lethal partnership for the Dragons.
Archie Wheeler (Illawarra South Coast Dragons)
Has proven to be one of the fittest during the pre-season, the outside back has been strong in the trials and is looking to carry that form over to the regular season.
Riley Ingersole (Macarthur Wests Tigers)
A player that has grown in leaps and bounds to earn the starting halfback role with the Tigers. An East Campbelltown junior who performed strongly as an underage player in U18s last year.
Jake Jones (Macarthur Wests Tigers)
Has made people take note throughout the pre-season, the ultimate professional and teammate who works hard and does everything asked of him.
Glassie Glassie (Macarthur Wests Tigers)
Has experience at the SG Ball level to start the season and the big centre will have a point to prove whenever he steps on the field in Daley Cup.
Troy Codey (Monaro Colts)
Comes into this competition after leading the Raiders around at halfback in the Harold Matthews Cup. A natural leader who will relish the captaincy in 2025.
Thomas Handsaker (Monaro Colts)
A big, powerful front rower who will give Monaro plenty of impact from the interchange bench. Adds an element of class to the side.
Kruger Roache (Monaro Colts)
Was one of Canberra’s exciting players throughout the Harold Matts season in 2024. Played on the wing there and will get his chance to get more ball at fullback for the Colts.
Kyran Blair (Newcastle Maitland Region Knights)
A kay player for the Knights who can play five-eighth or fullback. Brings a good ability to break open the opposition and is a matchwinner.
Lachie Hails (Newcastle Maitland Region Knights)
Likely to partner Blair in the halves throughout the season, Hails steps up from Harold Matts with the Knights and has a solid kicking game.
Fletcher Sommerville (Newcastle Maitland Region Knights)
A classy outside back who adds plenty of flair to the side after impressing for Newcastle last year. A big body who is a very good goalkicker as well.
Gus Single (North Coast Bulldogs)
Comes back to the U18s level after playing the entire Group 2 season in first grade with Macksville. The forward will be feared in the middle among opposition.
Toby Batten (North Coast Bulldogs)
Helped Nambucca to a first grade title, no mean feat for a 17-year-old at the time. A natural leader who will be looking to star with bigger things on the horizon.
Rielly Laverty (North Coast Bulldogs)
Along with Batten, Laverty got some great experience in the pre-season training with Canterbury in SG Ball. A classy five-eighth who is exciting to watch.
Jimmy McCombie (Northern Rivers Titans)
Returns for his second season of Daley Cup, this time as the captain of the team. That experience will do him wonders as he looks to stamp himself among the top players in the comp.
Jett Flatley (Northern Rivers Titans)
Was named in the North Sydney squad for the upcoming junior reps season but will line up with the Titans. That’s a positive sign that Sydney clubs are scouting the talented back-rower.
Elliott Farrell (Northern Rivers Titans)
Been a strong player with Byron Bay in the credentialed NRRRL comp. Has long been in the program and getting a taste of first grade is a sign of the centre’s class.
Dustin Wyrzykowski (Northern Tigers)
Named as a co-captain of the side, the second rower brings a level of intensity in the second row that his teammates will feed off.
Jayden Seckold (Northern Tigers)
Comes from Scone and will co-captain the side. Has spent time with Manly’s pathways previously and shapes as an exciting hooker as they look to make the grand final again.
Nate Rothall (Northern Tigers)
Comes into the Tigers for his second season at U18s and his big charges in the middle will give the halves the perfect platform to work off.
Vula Wate (Riverina Bulls)
Made waves with one of the individual tries of the season last year, steps up as a bottom-age player but the big, strong Wate will have no problems aiming up as a middle forward.
Isaiah Pulleine (Riverina Bulls)
A versatile winger/centre who will give the Bulls an attacking weapon out wide. A good finisher when given a chance, steps up into his second season with the U18s.
Diezel Watson (Riverina Bulls)
A halfback who fits the mould as a general of the team. Can attack the line at the right time and is someone who has grown immensely over the pre-season.
Jayden Innes (Western Rams)
Coach Shane Rodney has entrusted halfback Innes with the captaincy. Spent time with Wests at Harold Matthews level and looks set to rise to new heights once again.
Logan Coombes (Western Rams)
A versatile weapon who will give the Rams one of the most exciting utilities in the comp at their disposal. A year-young but looks primed for a breakout season.
Jack Colley (Western Rams)
Has shown that he is a regular in this team with starring performances on and off the field in the lead up to the season. A strong centre.
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