Souths Juniors season preview: Your ultimate guide to the 2024 A-grade season
The Souths Juniors A-grade fields its strongest competition in years in 2024 with eight teams vying for glory. We have your ultimate guide for all teams competing in the A-grade season.
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A later than usual start hasn’t dampened the enthusiasm ahead of the start of the Souths Juniors A-grade season.
This year three new teams will enter the fold with eight sides to battle it out in one of Sydney metro’s strongest competitions.
The Coogee Randwick Wombats, Marrickville Kings and Alexandria Rovers all step up to the big time, with La Perouse Panthers not in the top flight in 2024.
We preview all eight clubs ahead of the new season, continuing with the Mascot Jets.
JUMP TO
Alexandria Rovers - Coogee Randwick Wombats - Coogee Dolphins - South Eastern Seagulls - Matraville Tigers - Mascot Jets - Marrickville Kings - Redfern All Blacks
MARRICKVILLE KINGS
Coach: Francis Langifisi
Captain: Joseph Malouf
Last season: N/A
Key recruits: William Leha is a young gun who joins the Kings after a Harold Matthews season with Manly. He was a constant tryscoring threat in that team and he can bring that form to a new competition. Lennox Jensen is a Port Macquarie talent who is part of the current St George SG Ball side chasing a premiership this weekend. Able to play at fullback or in the outside backs, he adds plenty of pace to their backline. Kirk Patton, Sosifa Taufaao and Mikaele Apikatoa are three more key additions who add class to the Kings.
Season outlook: After the highs of winning a reserve grade title in 2022, things didn’t go to plan for Marrickville last year. That’s in the rear-view mirror now as they enter the A-grade competition for the first time in almost 20 years and chase their first title since 1995. A number of players who helped them taste success a couple of years back are fit, firing and ready to take on the new challenge. Local junior Francis Lanifisi leads the team as coach and he has a big name assistant by his side, with ex-NRL star Tony Williams linking with the club. It’s hoped the man they call T-Rex will lace up the boots but that is still to be confirmed. They will have a big squad of players to call upon this season, and while they acknowledge they enter the campaign as underdogs, they’re ready to shock the league.
Players to watch: Lemoto Langifisi was a key player in their reserve grade title win and brings valuable Sydney Shield experience to the side with their mix of youth and experience. Joseph Malouf is the leader of the Kings who has a winning mentality. He’s a talented middle forward who can get through a mountain of work. Jamie Taylor and Kaleb Duncan are two more key pieces from the 2022 side that are ready for the step up to A-grade, and love representing the club.
MASCOT JETS
Coach: Noah Sete
Captain: TBA
Last season: Sixth
Key recruits: Mascot has made it a goal to bring back a host of their juniors to the helm as they look to end their premiership drought that has stretched since 1998. After a few strong years with Matraville, big forward Sione Tovo adds a classy edge to the front row. Brothers Wes and George Lolo also return and bring good experience at the lower grades level, and will partner well with Tovo.
Season outlook: There was no team hotter than Mascot to finish the season off in 2023, but unfortunately for them their run was left too late. A sixth-placed finish didn’t sit well with a lot at the club and they’re determined to get the club back to its former glory. This time they’re focused on a hot start to ensure they have no such issues in making the finals this time around. With former Rabbitoh and local junior Noah Sete at the helm as coach there’s a real sense of community within the club. They made a point to get in two weeks of pre-season before Christmas and are ready to go for round one despite coming into the season without a trial. There’s a good feel at the club and with a lot of returning juniors, it would be a special moment for them if they could end the drought.
Players to watch: Tali Touetu’u claimed Player of the Year honours with Mascot last year and only looks like he’ll improve from that. Comes into this season with the benefit of spending some time training with the NSW Cup side. Drew Williams entered into the Rabbitohs Jersey Flegg squad after impressing with the Jets last season and is a highly promising outside back.
MATRAVILLE TIGERS
Coach: Alan Daly
Captain: Liam Balzan
Last season: Grand finalists
Key recruits: Eli Roberts played a key role for Redfern in their grand final win over Matraville last season and this time around will suit up for the Tigers. He’s a lightning fast centre who can change the game in a big way. Andre Wright has previous experience with the Roosters in Jersey Flegg and is on the cusp of NSW Cup. He was one of La Perouse’s best last year as a hard-running middle forward and offers Matraville a big motor in the front row or at lock.
Season outlook: They weren’t far away at all from making it back-to-back A-grade titles, leading late before being run down in the grand final. It creates an obvious motivation as they look to get back to the top of the tree. Some key recruits will add plenty to their side and offset personnel changes. They’ve been training hard and have changed how they’ll attack the game in 2024. Forwards were the focus last year, now they’re looking for their explosive backline to generate points and exploit their opposition around the edges. They’re ready to roll with an agile pack.
Players to watch: Kyle Wilson is regarded as one of the best fullbacks in Souths Juniors and he’ll again lead from the back for Matraville. Was one of their best last season and can take his game to a new level. They will also be boosted with the return of Rabbitohs pathways players whenever available.
SOUTH EASTERN SEAGULLS
Coaches: John Sutton and Trevor Schembri
Captain: Dean Richards
Last season: Fifth
Key recruits: Corey and Zac Makelim are two highly talented brothers that have come across from La Perouse. Zac is currently in the Rabbitohs NSW Cup squad and both will add a huge edge to the Seagulls. Allen Horsfield is another recruit from the Panthers who adds a veteran presence in the front row. Scored a few meat pies last year and will be a great leader among the younger players.
Season outlook: After they were less than a minute away from winning a grand final in 2022, a number of factors contributed to a down year last season. They’re confident they can turn things around in 2024 with some quality recruits joining their team, players committed for the duration and the huge addition of a Rabbitohs club legend in the coaching ranks. John Sutton has brought his 300+ games of NRL experience in a big way, getting their training right and perfecting their systems. With the new interchange rule coming into place, the Seagulls are confident they have a mobile forward pack that will be able to handle the change,
Players to watch: Mitchell Reeve is coming back from an ACL injury last season, where he was the competition’s leading scorer in 2022 as a 19-year-old. Exciting player who has put on some muscle and is raring to go as he looks to secure a place in the Rabbitohs’ Jersey Flegg side. Lachlan Hughes comes across from Concord Burwood and is a front rower who has played with some of his new teammates at the Koori Knockout. Was very keen to link with the club once it was confirmed Sutton was coaching.
COOGEE DOLPHINS
Coach: Joel Morris
Captain: Roy Asotasi
Last season: Fourth
Major inclusions: The addition of Roy Asotasi speaks for itself. A former Rabbitohs and New Zealand international captain, he brings leadership straight out of the gate. Cody Kelso played Jersey Flegg with the Wests Tigers last year and is a solid second-rower who provides an X-factor on an edge. Noah Ryan is another who has come through the Western Suburbs junior reps ranks and adds some class.
Season outlook: Coogee has built its team on defence in recent years, and they want to add a bit more in attack to help them take that next step. They’ve been close in the finals of late but have just fallen short, and this time around they’re hoping the addition of an NRL premiership winner and classy UK halfback can lift them over the line. The Dolphins have had a strong pre-season, identified where they needed to improve and have actively taken steps to do just that, recruiting from outside of the Souths Juniors competition to bring more top-line talent into the region. Structures and processes have been adjusted with the intention of piling on more points throughout 2024, and there’s a confidence within the coaching staff they can go further in a strong competition.
Players to watch: James Barran is a massive watch this season after coming across from the UK. He has spent time in the Wigan Warriors system and has experience in third and second division for Oldham and London. Club officials are very excited to see what he can produce. Rowan McIntosh was super impressive last season and is now with the Rabbitohs Jersey Flegg set up. He’s a chance of appearing for the Dolphins throughout the year and would be a huge inclusion.
ALEXANDRIA ROVERS
Coaches: Thomas Leal and Bradley Anderson
Captain: TBA
Last season: N/A
Major inclusions: Kareel Phillips and Kieran Vale have been staples in the Souths Juniors competition and bring a winning mentality with them. They were both last seen with the Redfern All Blacks and they’re huge additions for Alexandria. Phillips was the man of the match in the 2022 grand final for Matraville and the thought of him and Jake Trindall in the halves will have Rovers fans salivating.
Season outlook: It’s a big year for the Rovers, stepping up to A-grade for the first time in 20+ years and daring to dream about their first title since 1990. There’s no doubting it’s a tough task, but they rise to this level with last year’s reserve grade premiership in their keeping. Their return to senior footy started with a number of former players coming together in 2022 to honour fallen mates, and has now grown to having close to 70 registered players across three grades. While understanding the strength of the A-grade competition this year, there’s a huge sense of excitement for the year ahead, with officials keen for the club to make a good go of it in their return to the top flight. Fitness was a major reason for their success last year and they’ve been training hard to ensure they will come into a new year ready to fire from the opening round.
Players to watch: Jake Trindall was the grand final hero last year and has the benefit of a pre-season with the Rabbitohs reserve grade. A genuine matchwinner who deserves his crack at NSW Cup level. Denver Burns and Jayden Riley were also part of the reserve grade side and had huge years in helping them towards the premiership. They will have no issues at all with the rise in class.
COOGEE RANDWICK WOMBATS
Coach: Jason McKell
Captain: TBA
Last season: N/A
Major inclusions: Jason Clark is a Wombats life member and a favourite among the Rabbitohs faithful. He played 172 games in the red and green, including the 2014 drought-breaking grand final win. Clark adds veteran experience and a great knowledge of the game to the side, and at just 34 years of age can make a huge impact on the field.
When not in the Rabbitohs pathways teams, Emmanuel Di Bartolo will run out for the Wombats in a huge coup for the side. He’s an exciting half who turns them into title contenders if playing for an extended period.
Season outlook: After sitting out A-grade last season, the most successful A-grade club in South Juniors history returns. With a young core who went abroad and took other opportunities last season, they’re all back and committed to returning the Wombats to the summit in 2024. They were keen to come back and show what they can do. Coogee Randwick is proud of its history as breeding success and helping their juniors get graded, with Rabbitohs enforcer Davvy Moale one of the more recent examples of that. They’ve built a solid squad for the upcoming season and club officials believe the competition for spots will have them pushing for finals and more.
Players to watch: Tim Bennett and Shaun Dowie have Coogee in their blood and are two key returning faces to the side. They were part of the side that won the A-grade competition back in 2019, with Bennett also adding another title with Matraville in 2022. Bear Williams was allotted to Coogee Randwick in the draft and is a solid second-rower who has come over from the UK. James Kokkinos and Archie Donnelly are also Rabbitohs-aligned players who add some serious quality to the side if they drop back to A-grade.
REDFERN ALL BLACKS
Coach: Wes Patten
Captain: TBA
Last season: Premiers
Season outlook: They largely flew under the radar last year with personnel changes, but managed to put it all together when it mattered the most to take out the premiership. More eyes will be on them this year as they become the hunted. A few key outs like Joven Gyemore, Eli Roberts and Rob Ryan will hurt, but having former NRL talent Wes Patten at the helm ensures they will be in the mix once again. They’re out to win their fifth title in the space of nine years to cement their position as one of the great clubs of the modern era.
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