Sydney Roosters: 17 junior reps to watch in Harold Matthews, SG Ball and Tarsha Gale Cups in 2024
There are sons of club legends, teen prodigies and cross-code stars in the making. Check out 17 Roosters junior rep guns to keep an eye on in 2024.
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2023 was a mixed year for the Roosters’ junior rep sides.
The highlight was undoubtedly the Roosters’ Indigenous Academy, who took out the Tarsha Gale Cup title with a brilliant display.
The club’s SG Ball team also performed well to qualify for the finals in sixth before being eliminated, while at the other end of the spectrum, the Sydney Roosters under-17s suffered the disappointment of an 11th-place finish in the Harold Matthews competition, with the Central Coast affiliate finishing down in 13th.
With the pick of the local Eastern Suburbs and Central Coast talent to choose from, as well as some shrewd recruits from around the country, the Roosters will be looking to better their performances in 2024.
We’ve put together a list of 17 of the club’s brightest young guns from the Harold Matthews (under-17), Tarsha Gale (under-19) and SG Ball (under-19) squads. Check out who to keep an eye on below.
Harold Matthews
REX BASSINGTHWAIGHTE
A cross-code star who also plays for the NSW Waratahs under-16s, Bassingthwaighte made the move from his hometown of Dubbo to Sydney this year to attend Shore School and will line up for the Roosters’ in 2024.
A powerful outside back, the 16-year-old turned plenty of heads in the last season’s junior rep competition, starring for the Western Rams in the Andrew Johns Cup.
JAI CALLAGHAN
He might be one of the smallest players on the field, but what Callaghan misses out on in size, he more than makes up for in ability and ticker.
A standout in this year’s Andrew Johns Cup, picking up the team’s Best and fairest award, the young fullback, who can also play in the halves, was a constant headache for opposition sides.
Picking up seven tries in seven games, including two in the grand final win, he provided a spark for his side time and time again, just when they needed it most.
EDDY CAYLESS
It’ll be the case of following in his uncle’s – rather than his father’s – footsteps for Eddy Cayless.
The son of Parramatta legend and New Zealand international Nathan Cayless, Eddy will don the tricolours in 2024, which comes after his uncle Jason pulled on the Roosters’ jersey 83 times between 2002 and 2005.
ISAAC FOTU-MOALA
With great footwork, a dangerous short kicking game and the ability to play off-the-cuff footy, the young five-eighth is an exciting prospect.
A star for the Roosters’ triumphant Andrew Johns Cup side earlier this year, Fotu-Moala went on to represent NSW Country in 2023 before turning in some excellent performances for the Central Coast Sports College in the Peter Mulholland Cup.
DARCY SMITH
Man of the match in this season’s Andrew Johns Cup grand final victory over Newcastle, the powerful backrower showed plenty of skill and leadership in what was a very successful campaign.
A Central Coast local from the Kincumber Colts, Smith was one of four from the triumphant Johns Cup to be selected for the under-16s Country side earlier this season.
Tarsha Gale
SHARLIZE CAMPBELL
The flexible centre/second rower will be one of the more experienced players in the Roosters’ squad for next season, having been part of this year’s Tarsha Gale Cup-winning side.
A handy utility player, Campbell was selected in the NSW Country team for the Women’s National Championships in May, and is earmarked as a star of the future.
IMOGEN HEI
Crafty out of dummy-half with good service and a strong running game, Hei was one of the Roosters’ best in this season’s triumphant Tarsha Gale Cup side.
A year older and with another pre-season behind her, the hooker will be hoping to take her game to another level in 2024.
LAILANI MONTGOMERY
Another Rooster returning after a strong junior rep season, the Central Coast product was a key attacking threat in this year’s Tarsha Gale Cup side, with her brilliant footwork helping to earn her selection in the NSW Country side in the centres.
However, in a sign of her flexibility, Montgomery went back home to enjoy an excellent season in halves for The Entrance Tigers in the inaugural Central Coast Women’s Premiership, and will be hoping her experience playing in open-age competitions will hold her in good stead for another strong season.
ALIYAH NASIO
An exceptionally talented backrower, Nasio is one of the club’s most exciting young prospects.
While still young enough to play in the Tarsha Gale team for another couple of years, the 17-year-old stepped up into the Roosters’ NSW Women’s Premiership this season, where she stood out so much that she was ultimately selected in the open women’s City side for its clash with Country in May.
While an NRLW debut looked likely, Nasio unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury at the Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League National Championships in July, and will be determined to make a strong start to the junior rep season in 2024.
SG Ball
RILEY BURKE
The absolute breakout star of the Central Coast Rugby League competition this season, the young winger was a standout for the Erina Eagles, crossing for 21 tries in the regular season to be crowned leading tryscorer in first grade and subsequently named CCRL rookie of the year.
Just 70kgs wringing wet, Burke has got great footwork, electric speed and has a real nose for the tryline. After such an excellent season playing against grown men in local footy he’ll be looking to continue his strong form in the junior rep set-up.
JAKE ELLIOTT
While still young enough to play SG Ball, it’s highly likely that we’ll see Elliott turn out in the higher grades next season.
A talented half, the Erina Eagles junior was a key part of the Roosters’ run to the Jersey Flegg grand final this year, despite playing three years above his age.
With another pre-season under his belt, Elliott will certainly be one to keep an eye on in 2024.
ZACH FITTLER
The son of one of the greatest Roosters of all time in Brad Fittler, Zach is one of the club’s most promising juniors.
A massive unit with sharp footwork and good ball skills, Fittler junior can play anywhere in the forwards and was excellent for the Roosters in last season’s Harold Matthews competition, earning the Best Forward award.
A NSW under-16 representative, Fittler was recently selected in a NSW under-17s invitational side that played against a junior Warrington Wolves team, and is earmarked as a star of the future.
ZAC GILLETT
Tough, smart, with a great passing game and sharp out of dummy-half, Gillett has just come off a bumper 2023 that saw him crowned Players’ Player and Best and Fairest for the Central Coast Roosters’ Laurie Daley Cup side.
And after receiving his first taste of A-grade football with Wyong in the Central Coast competition, the young hooker will be looking to continue his development in SG Ball.
MIKEY NASSAR
A huge coup for the Roosters, the fullback joins from Balmain, where he starred in the junior rep system over the past couple of seasons.
Likened to a Tom Turbo clone, the 16-year-old has all the makings of a future NRL star. Already 6’2 and as someone who can run 100m in less than 11 seconds, Nassar combines his athletic ability with an excellent kicking game and footwork to wreak absolute havoc on opposition defences.
TOBY RODWELL
Another son of a gun, Rodwell is the son of former Illawarra and Souths Centre Brett Rodwell, who will be hoping to follow in his dad’s footsteps by carving out an NRL career for himself.
A talented running half who is incredibly dangerous with the ball in hand, Rodwell also starred for the Chooks in last season’s junior rep competitions and will be looking to take his game to another level in SG Ball in 2024.
ZAC SARFATI
No stranger to the grade, not only did the fullback play up an age group in SG Ball this season, but went on to claim the club’s Best Back award after helping guide the Chooks to the finals.
The Randwick Boys High student also starred at a schoolboy level, earning selection in NSWCHS team and was picked in the under-18 City team that defeated Country 30-10 in May.
DE LA SALLE VA’A
Another young player from good rugby league stock, Va’a is the younger brother of Roosters’ forward Xavier Va’a, who is part of the club’s NRL top 30.
The 193cm, 114kg powerhouse – who is still growing – is an absolute machine in the forwards.
Playing up a year this season, Va’a dominated the SG Ball competition and picked up the Chooks’ Player of the Year award.
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