Souths Juniors Round Seven: Five key talking points from the weekend’s A-grade action
As a new Latrell put his hat in the ring to be crowned king of Redfern, we look at the stats that show how hard Matraville will be to overcome. Here are the five talking points from Souths Juniors.
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After a big round seven in the Souths Juniors competition, we take a look at the five major talking points from the weekend.
ANOTHER LATRELL THE NEW KING OF REDFERN?
The form of Latrell Mitchell for the Rabbitohs has him listed as Redfern’s hero.
But there could be another namesake set to be equally adorned.
Latrell Robinson featured in his first game of the season after returning from injury and made an immediate impact, finishing with a double in RAB’s win over La Perouse.
A previous NSW Cup and Melbourne Storm pathways player, Robinson has played alongside Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Suliasi Vunivalu.
His experience gives the All Blacks a genuine title shot.
LOGJAM IN THE MIDDLE
One win separates four positions as teams jostle between spots two and five.
With the tight nature of the competition, just six teams and multiple fixtures against each other, it makes the second half of the competition so important for finals spots.
Currently RAB and La Perouse sit equal second on four wins, with Coogee and South Eastern on three victories apiece.
Who will take the initiative over the coming weeks and go on a run to seal their post-season future?
CAN THE TIGERS BE STOPPED?
One team that doesn’t have to worry about positioning at this stage is the Matraville Tigers.
They remain three wins clear at the top with a perfect 7-0 record, with a few interesting and encouraging stats for how they’ve got there.
Through seven games they have the third best attack, but are clearly the competition’s premier defensive side, conceding just 12 points per game.
They haven’t conceded more than 18 points, and have only scored more than 22 points once, as they continue to grind out teams.
FIJIAN WRECKING BALL ON FULL DISPLAY
Joe Rokoqo was a man on a mission with a devastating display in the middle for Matraville.
He finished a narrow win over the Dolphins with a double as the wind took over at Coogee Oval, providing a nightmare for fullbacks.
Rokoqo has been in scintillating form in 2023, just another reason why the club is experiencing such success this season.
JETS NOT FAR AWAY FROM TAKEOFF
They may have suffered a 22-4 defeat at the hands of South Eastern, but you get the feeling a first win is just around the corner.
They matched it with the Seagulls for a large portion of their match at Pioneers Park, keeping the scores level until the final 20 minutes, where they couldn’t contain the home side.
It won’t be long until they can improve their 0-7 record in a positive way.
ROUND SEVEN WRAP
THE league favourites continued their golden run as another contender got it’s season back on track.
Here’s the latest from the Souths Juniors competition in our round seven wrap.
MATRAVILLE CONTINUES UNDEFEATED RUN
Matraville’s premiership defence extended to seven-straight wins after a hard-fought 16-14 win over the Coogee Dolphins at Coogee Oval.
Down on troops again as they navigate a challenging mid-season period, the league’s best defensive team showed its mettle again.
“It was a tough slog. We were very under equipped with lots of blokes away and injuries,” coach Grant Hyde said.
“We had to use a lot of reserves, and it was a grinding defensive effort. They got on our edge and scored some soft tries, but I thought we were bigger and stronger, and able to get over the top of them.
“We were in front for most of the game and led 16-8. They scored with about 10 to go and I thought ‘this was where we win it or lose it’. But our defence was strong and we tackled well again.”
Joe Rokoqo will have his membership in the front rower’s club looked at after the big Fijian came away with a double, capping off a strong performance in the middle.
“Joe played really well. Our fullback Kyle Wilson had spiders on him, he was very strong,” Hyde said.
“Tristan Alvarado killed them and Brent Hawkins played really well. He hardly made a mistake.”
ALL BLACKS REGAIN FORM
After back-to-back defeats, the Redfern All Blacks regained form in style with a 30-12 win over La Perouse at Erskineville Oval.
Despite being edged out by the Panthers on the bell in round two, RAB wasn’t going to let a handy lead slip again this time.
They raced out to a 20-8 lead at halftime, going on with the job in the second to cap off one of their best wins of the season and move to level with La Perouse on the standings in equal second.
“It was a tough game but I believe out forwards dominated the match for us,” RAB official Bradley Anderson said.
“Ian Nelson was named man of the match and he played unreal in the middle.
“Latrell Robinson was outstanding in his return from injury in his first game back for the season in the second row, scoring two tries.”
SEAGULLS GROUND JETS AT PIONEERS
South Eastern remains in the logjam of teams chasing Matraville after a 22-4 win over Mascot at Pioneers Park.
The Seagulls were made to work for the win, leading just 4-0 at the break and with scores level after Dylan Williams crossed early in the second half for the Jets.
They finished too powerfully over the final quarter however, with Tallis Angianga and Peteru Pritchard giving them a handy advantage, and Solomon McGuire finishing off the job in the dying stages.
They sit in a share of fourth with the Coogee Dolphins, who they will take on this weekend.
RESERVE GRADE
La Perouse and South Eastern remain the only two undefeated sides in reserves following narrow wins at the weekend.
The Panthers edged out rivals and in-form team Redfern 24-18 at Erskineville Oval, while a late Marc Cranshaw penalty goal gave the Seagulls a 20-18 win over Alexandria at Pioneers Park.
In a double header at Coogee Oval, Mascot made it four-straight wins after taking down Moore Park 16-0, while the Dolphins had some success over Matraville to the tune of 32-14.
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