The 61 Premier Men and Women to watch at the NSW State Cup touch football
Some of the best talent in Australia will descend on Port Macquarie for the State Cup. We look at the 61 players to watch from the Premier Men and Women. SEE THE FULL LIST.
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THE New South Wales State Cup is ready to light up Port Macquarie this weekend with some of the best touch football talent in Australia to strut their stuff for their clubs.
An elite group of 11 men’s and nine women’s teams will line up in the Premier Divisions, with the goal of bringing the trophy back to their region.
In anticipation for the huge event beginning on Friday, NewsLocal looks at the 61 players to watch this weekend.
PREMIER MEN
JACK LEWIS
Canterbury
Link
A fresh face in the Canterbury side who has been training the house down. Looks sharp and ready to go.
MITCHELL WICKHAM
Canterbury
Winger
A state representative winger who is back in Canterbury colours. Has plenty of experience and pace out wide, and is a classy finisher.
ZAK BALZAN
Canterbury
Middle
One of the young up and comers in the side who has enjoyed a fantastic season so far and looks set for a long career at this level.
CUBAN PORTER SHEEN
Manly-Warringah
Winger
In the Australian U20s system and regarded as one of the best wingers in the country. Is super quick and brings a lot of energy to the side with his presence.
JAYCOB FONG
Manly-Warringah
Middle
One of the quickest players over 10m, Fong is an incredible talent with a superb passing game. A player of the future at the highest levels.
NATE SCRANAGE
Manly-Warringah
Link
Very good organiser of the team. Scranage is a smart player who puts his fast teammates in good position. Only 21 and a very good defender.
TAIMANA ELERS
Newcastle
Middle
Been in Australian U18s squads and a real up and comer through the ranks. A Newcastle junior who has stepped up well at the Premier League level.
MATT ATKINS and BLAKE POTTS
Newcastle
Middles
The dynamic duo for Newcastle who really control things for the side. They played State of Origin together and they are the nucleus of the team. Everything comes off the back of them and their efforts.
FLYNN ANGLES-CORKE
Penrith
Link
An excellent ballplayer out on an edge who causes headaches for the defence and is good at setting up his outside men.
LIAM ROBINSON
Penrith
Link
Has a lot of X-factor about him. A super quick and fast player who possesses a lot of pace off the mark.
TJADYN ASHBY
Penrith
Middle
The captain of the side who is good at controlling the tempo of the contest and leading Penrith’s charge.
KAI SIMBOLON
Parramatta
Middle
The Boland Medal winner from this year’s Vawdon Cup. In fine form and can stamp his authority as one of the competition’s most valuable.
JORDAN MARSHALL-KING
Parramatta
Link
The younger brother of Benji Marshall. Had a couple of years off but the Parra junior is back in the team and adds plenty of skill to the mix.
WILL HICKEY
Parramatta
Link
A young man in the midst of his maiden Premier League and State Cup campaigns. An U20s Origin representative who has been exceptional this year.
TYLAN BERRYMAN
Hornsby
Middle
A 16-year-old who excels at a number of sports. Signed with the Rabbitohs, a NSW U16s Rugby rep and a lethal talent in the middle for the Hornsby team.
CIARAN TONER
Hornsby
Link
An Australian player and stalwart of Hornsby. Brings a wealth of experience and is such a skilful, level-headed talent.
JOHN AND MAURICE KENNEDY
Hornsby
Link (Maurice) and Middle (John)
The identical twins work together in a fine tandem to cause issues for opposing sides. Lethal stepping and passing, the pair still have the fire in the belly and a performing at a high level.
JACK WEATHERALL
Bankstown
Winger
A very tall player who has the ability to have a massive impact on any game he’s involved in. The captain is a pacy type.
JOSH BAKHOS
Bankstown
Middle
A head down, tail up worker who gets through an enormous amount of effort in defence for Bankstown.
MITCHELL GRAY
Bankstown
Utility
Plays as a halfback in league but used as a specialist attacker here. A clever player who takes on the line very well.
JOSH MOFFITT
Central Coast
Link
He has plenty of touch football smarts. A solid ballplayer who is good at creating opportunities for his side.
CHRIS LENNON
Central Coast
Link
The youngest player in the Central Coast side. Has a ton of speed and a very sharp left to right pass.
KYLE JERMYN
Central Coast
Middle
The speed of Jerymn is underrated. Can put the burners on when required and a great defensive player.
DYLAN THOMPSON
Doyalson
Link
Very quick out on an edge and his right to left pass is exceptional. An Australian rep with plenty of experience at this level.
JAKE FITZPATRICK
Doyalson
Middle
Fitzpatrick is an agile player in the middle who is very smart with what he does and a good leader as well.
ALEX LANGBRIDGE
Doyalson
Link
Another pacy type for Doyalson who has a dynamic left to right pass. Also a high-level rugby league player.
RILEY JONES
Beresfield
Link
An unassuming teen who has some of the best footwork and steps that we will see. An elusive player who will play a hand in many tries.
REEVE HOWARD
Beresfield
Middle
The typical worker in the team who isn’t the flashiest player but does the hard yards and sets plays up.
CONNOR EDWARDS
Beresfield
Link
One of the biggest strike weapons in attack. If he’s on song, Beresfield will go a long way in the State Cup.
MADALITSO MASACHE
Western Suburbs
Winger
A NSW and Australian representative who gives Wests a touch of class. Among the best finishers in the competition.
JOHN PAUL CATALANO
Western Suburbs
Link
An 18-year-old is one of the most exciting young talents in the state. Blessed with lightning footwork and a fantastic low drive.
JUSTIN COSTELLO
Western Suburbs
Link
An experienced player who is a standout defender. Has an extraorinary reach that makes it hard for any pass to get past him, and very well balanced on his feet.
PREMIER WOMEN
KALEIGH MCDONALD
Western Suburbs
Link
Is only 21 years old but cleaned up at the awards night for Wests. A dynamic link who is set to fire for Wests.
SIAN FILIPO
Western Suburbs
Link
A NSW Country representative in league who is signed with South Sydney. A young talent who is elusive when given room to move.
MIA RODGERS
Western Suburbs
Middle
Made her Premier League debut at just 15 years of age. Has already played for the NSW U20s and is experienced beyond her years.
AMY DUFOUR
Newcastle
Middle
An Australian women’s player who is one of the paciest in the competition. A strong running game and always taking the line on.
RACHEL JEFFS
Newcastle
Middle
Plays more of an organising role within the side and such a solid ballplayer. Sets up a lot of Newcastle’s deadly attacking raids.
JESS POTTS
Newcastle
Middle
Also does a lot of organisational stuff within the side. Very sharp on the line and runs a lot of static plays. Dangerous one-on-one.
HANNAH DYBALL
Manly-Warringah
Middle
Regarded by many as the best player in the game and gets the chance to showcase that here. Her running game is second to none.
SHELLIE DAVIS
Manly-Warringah
Middle
An Australian player who is lethal. Her biggest strength is her static play on the line and her ability to beat her defender.
SAMMY RODGERS
Manly-Warringah
Winger
There aren’t many better finishers out there than Rogers. An unbelievable defender and a great asset for Manly-Warringah.
GEMMA SQUADRITO
Easts
Link
Captains Easts for the first time and has been a stalwart at the club. One of the go-to attacking weapons in attack. A strong defender who can take an intercept.
BIANCA SACHR
Easts
Link
Up and coming player come through the juniors. Won a Junior State Cup at U18s a few years ago. Has a heap of speed and is a workaholic.
EMILY IRONS
Easts
Link
One of the more intriguing players lining up. An England representative who was a standout in the local park comp. An attacking force who is deadly on sweep plays.
MORGAN MANNION
Central Coast
Link
One of the youngest players in the side but is extremely quick and has fast acceleration. Had a stint with the NSW U20s.
AMY REGAL
Central Coast
Link
A senior player in the side who brings a wealth of leadership and experience. A very good ballplayer.
KATE GOODHAND
Central Coast
Middle
A hardworking middle who sets the tempo on both sides of the ball. Rarely misses a touch and leads the attacking charge.
NICOLE SALDERN
Northern Beaches
Middle
The captain of the side who is a hard-running middle with plenty of speed to burn around the ruck.
PIHUKA DUFF
Northern Beaches
Middle
A State of Origin women’s player with great skills and a touch of class for the Northern Beaches.
ELLIE WILSON
Northern Beaches
Winger
A young winger who is just 17, but has heaps of potential. Led the tryscoring ranks in the Vawdon Cup.
COURTNEY YOUNG
Canterbury
Middle
The reigning Smith Medal winner for player of the year. Young is a current NSW player and has just broken into the Australian squad.
CLAIRE TANDEK
Canterbury
Middle
Former Australian women’s player. Named in the NSW Golden Jubilee side. The veteran talent continues to perform at an elite level.
BOBBI LAW
Canterbury
Link
Coming back to touch after winning the NRLW Premiership with the Knights. A long-term Canterbury rep making her return after a few years.
BEC BEATH
Canberra
Middle
Is the veteran in a very inexperienced team. Bec’s leadership and calmness are the attributes the Brindies women's team will rely on most.
ELSIE WILSON
Canberra
Link
Elise is a smart attacking player. Has tremendous vision and will be hoping to follow up a great National Touch League with another good tournament at State Cup.
KEESHA KAPEA
Canberra
Link
Has really come of age in 2022. Has taken her attacking game to the next level and will be looking at continuing to progress.
MACKENZIE DAVIS
Hills
Middle
She has fantastic footwork and her speed is electric. Can turn on a dime and her passing game is elite.
WAIARIA ELLIS
Hills
Middle
One of the youngest players in the tournament at just 15. Her vision is beyond her years and is able to play what’s in front of her.
JADE POND
Hills
Winger
Does a stellar job on the wing with her ability to finish off tries and shut down the play with her defensive decisions.
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