Top 20: Best performers from the 2023 Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cup seasons so far
Regional NSW has an array of up and coming junior footy talent that is being exposed through the Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cups. We’ve put together a list of 20 of the top performers from these competitions this season.
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The Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cup competitions are the first major stepping stones for aspiring NRL superstars in regional NSW.
10 talented young sides in both competitions have put on an absolute highlight reel of spectacular tries, nail biting games and breakout individuals so far this season.
NewsLocal has put together a list of 20 future stars who have stood out across both competitions in the first four rounds of the 2023 seasons.
HARRY WALD (WESTERN RAMS)
Convincingly the leading point scorer across both the Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cups after four rounds, with 50 points to his name.
He scored the best try of round one, toeing a loose ball all the way from his own 20 metre line to his opposition try line to score a beauty.
XAVIER CACCIOTTI (MONARO COLTS)
After four rounds of action in the 2023 Laurie Daley Cup, this elusive hooker has seven tries to his name.
A Canberra Raiders junior, Cacciotti represented Erindale as a part of the 2022 Schoolboy Cup.
ROBERT INGLIS (NORTH COAST BULLDOGS)
Nephew to Greg, the next generation Inglis has announced himself in the Laurie Daley Cup this season.
Fast and elusive, the blistering fullback/five-eighth has crossed for four tries this season already.
JAMIE COWLING (MONARO COLTS)
Captain of the Monaro Colts Andrew Johns side, Cowling has had his hands on everything this season.
A highly influential five-eighth with an excellent passing game, getting stuck right into his bigger opponents.
PALU TUASALA (ILLAWARRA SOUTH COAST DRAGONS)
A strong running lock forward with a big frame that makes him so tough to stop.
An Illawarra Steelers junior but now with the Dragons Laurie Daley Cup side, Tuasala crossed for an unstoppable hat-trick against the Bulls in the first round of the 2023 competition.
PAUL JOHNSON (MACARTHUR WESTS TIGERS)
A winger with the frame of a prop forward and the skill of a fullback.
Johnson’s frame and power has made him a massive threat this season in the Andrew Johns Cup, crossing for four tries in four games for the undefeated Tigers.
KALEB HOPE (NORTHERN TIGERS)
A skilful centre for the Northern Tigers in the Laurie Daley Cup, Hope seems to always end up in the thick of the action for the Tigers who are three wins from four this season.
Hope amassed a massive 22 point haul in round three against the Central Coast Roosters.
JARRAH TREWEEK (ILLAWARRA SOUTH COAST DRAGONS)
A highly skilful second rower who compliments his big frame with excellent distribution.
Two tries and a handful of assists already this season, Treweek is an absolute weapon for his side.
FLETCHER O’DOHERTY (NEWCASTLE MAITLAND REGION KNIGHTS)
A strong running second rower who is tough to stop bursting into pockets of space in the Andrew Johns Cup.
O’Doherty crossed for three tries in round four against the Bulls, taking his season total to four.
REX BASSINGTHWAIGHTE (WESTERN RAMS)
An agile five-eighth/fullback who has been a key attacking weapon for the Rams in the Andrew Johns Cup.
Three tries from four games this season for the young gun, the pick of the bunch being a 90 metre kick return try against the Monaro Colts.
MATHIAS PETONE TOMULI-AH-KUOI (MONARO COLTS)
The ultimate bench weapon, Tomuli-Ah-Kuoi is one of the biggest prop forwards in the league and is near impossible to stop.
Injected into games to punish weary oppositions, the big front rower can cause damage, having already bundled his way over the line for three tries this season.
JACKSON RIECK (ILLAWARRA SOUTH COAST DRAGONS)
The glue behind the free-scoring attack of the Illawarra South Coast Dragons in the Laurie Daley Cup.
Rieck has three tries to his own name and has been instrumental in providing for his teammates.
TALI KOLOFALE (CENTRAL COAST ROOSTERS)
A lethal winger who has been an instrumental part of the highly effective right flank of the Central Coast Roosters in the Andrew Johns Cup.
Six tries from four games, he knows how to sniff out four points.
JACK TALBOTT (ILLAWARRA SOUTH COAST DRAGONS)
The Dragons fullback is always in the thick of the action in the Andrew Johns Cup, having amassed 32 points this season already.
He’s an assist machine with his great positioning and passing game, a very handy tool in the Dragons attack.
CALLUM DOWELL (NORTHERN TIGERS)
A clever halfback who is tricky for oppositions to handle in the Laurie Daley Cup.
Has three tries for the season and was instrumental in pulling the strings for the Northern Tigers in their 26 point round one comeback against the Bulldogs.
PETER FRENCH (MACARTHUR WESTS TIGERS)
The only undefeated captain remaining, having led his side to four wins from four in the Andrew Johns Cup.
A giant prop forward who leads defensively, as well as being strong and mobile which has led to him scoring two tries this season.
AXEL ANTONY (ILLAWARRA SOUTH COAST DRAGONS)
A powerful and hardworking lock forward who is tough to stop on the drive.
Great leg speed and hard carries, he has burrowed his way over for three tries in his opening four games of the Andrew Johns Cup.
WILLIAM JENKINS (MACARTHUR WESTS TIGERS)
A tough running second rower in the Andrew Johns Cup.
A fearless defender who has scored both his tries this season from charging down opposition kicks.
JYE LINNANE (NEWCASTLE MAITLAND REGION KNIGHTS)
A fast and powerful halfback, with a frame that could see him possibly in a lock forward position some day.
His hands are on everything in attack for the Knights, notably in round three against the North Coast Bulldogs where he crossed for four tries.
KAIDYN PECKHAM (CENTRAL COAST ROOSTERS)
A dangerous centre in the Andrew Johns Cup who is a major attacking threat for the Roosters.
Has crossed the line in three out of four games so far.
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