Group 7 future stars: 28 young guns lighting up the U18 competition in 2023 at halfway mark
Group 7 has an abundance of junior emerging talents bursting at the seams who are set to shine in the senior’s comp in the future. Check out the star U18 performers from the 2023 season so far.
The South Coast News
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The Group 7 competition down the south coast of NSW is bursting at the seams with junior talent.
No doubt a large number of the current crop of U18 players will be seeing their first grade debuts coming sooner rather than later.
From elusive hookers to rapid fullbacks to scary front rowers, the competition has so much talent on its hands.
Check out the list of junior stars who have been dominating the U18 competition so far in 2023.
Caleb Hall (Gerringong Lions)
A victorious Illawarra South Coast Dragon in the Laurie Daley Cup, Hall has returned to club footy with a bang.
Provides a real attacking spark from fullback with electric pace and impressive footwork.
Paea Sione Liteila Ahio (Gerringong Lions)
‘Teila’ leads the competition votes for Player of the Year by some margin.
A big bodied front rower who has been impressive in both attack and defence this season, proving too tough to handle with eight tries to his name.
Big future ahead of this one.
Cooper Harrison (Gerringong Lions)
Another victorious Dragons returning to captain the undefeated Gerringong Lions.
The five-eighth is leading the competition for both tries (nine) and points scored thanks to a solid goal kicking record.
He’s also an invaluable defender and a steady influencer in attack.
Lachlan Leir (Gerringong Lions)
The other strike partner in the front row for the Gerringong Lions.
Another big frame, standing at 6’4’ and coming from a farming background, he’s a strong defender and ball carrier.
Seth Pearman (Gerringong Lions)
A Steelers SG Ball Cup representative who knows how to find the try line from hooker, scoring six tries this season so far.
Electric out of dummy half and a great defender.
Isaac Laughton (Gerringong Lions)
A talented prospect in the second row who represented the Country U18s side in 2023.
A big bodied player with a bright future, showcasing a good attacking game and having been in and out of the first grade side this year.
Zacc Lewis & Daniel Brady (Stingrays of Shellharbour)
The talented halves combination that have cemented the Stingrays in the top three at the halfway point of the year.
Both exhibit calmness and composure, steering the boys around the park with great wisdom.
Lincoln Miners (Stingrays of Shellharbour)
Player’s Player recipient in 2022, Miners is a defensively rock solid hooker.
Elusive and skilful, he was the starting Dragons hooker in the Laurie Daley Cup grand final.
Masyn Corbacho (Stingrays of Shellharbour)
A lock forward who doesn’t look like one.
Defensively outstanding, terrific ball-playing ability and one to watch in attack who can turn a game on its head.
Hudson Bailey (Warilla-Lake South Gorillas)
Son of former-NRL prop Luke Bailey, Hudson also has a bit of an old-school approach about him.
A lock forward playing for 70 minutes most games, he’s got good skill and aggression.
Tobi Rosewarn (Warilla-Lake South Gorillas)
Has taken on the captaincy reigns in his second year of 18s and has really elevated his game this season as a result.
Dreau Clarke (Warilla-Lake South Gorillas)
Another Steelers representative who is playing five-eighth, despite being a natural backrower.
He’s been leading the team around well this year, the glue in the middle of the park, showing his attacking worth with eight tries.
Jai Luke-Lidbury (Warilla-Lake South Gorillas)
Another player excelling despite playing out of position.
The young hooker is in the dummy-half despite being a natural halfback, but has really come on in the last few weeks and found his form in the role.
Kye Andrews (Kiama Knights)
A kid with an AFL background playing just his second year of rugby league, so what he’s learned in such a short time is incredible.
Safe at the back and putting in some outstanding kick returns, often breaking the line with his quickness and agility, picking up a massive eight tries for the Knights.
Taj Roberts (Kiama Knights)
A skilful ball-playing lock forward.
Controls the ruck well and tidies up for his side in the middle.
Callum Hodgson (Kiama Knights)
Has evolved his game in five-eighth from being a try scoring machine to an elite ballplayer.
Fast, agile and looks after his backs in the middle of the park.
Harry Middleton (Kiama Knights)
A Harold Matthews Cup representative with the Steelers, Middleton is a skilful hooker who is fast around the ruck and has super ball service.
Lachlan Greatz (Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles)
Playing halfback for the Steelers in the Harold Matthews Cup this season, he’s taken up the captaincy role for the Eagles with the loss of Ashton O’Dea.
A talented young player with a great attitude.
Brodie Breakspear (Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles)
Another Steelers Harold Matthews Cup rep, Brodie is a hooker who has been superb in 2023.
Defensively solid and a good ball runner, himself and Greatz are the generals of the Eagles side.
James Kunkler & Cooper Barnes (Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles)
The two centres on the Eagles side that provide threat from both flanks, having both crossed for five tries each this season so far.
Jorge Tekis (Milton Ulladulla Bulldogs)
A massive improver in the front row for the Bulldogs who has really stood up after his side lost a number of players to injury.
Makes great surging runs and is solid defensively.
Reece Manasseh (Milton Ulladulla Bulldogs)
Mr. Reliable for the Bulldogs from fullback.
Super consistent, never making an error and producing some great piercing runs from the back and through the line.
Thomas Nelson (Milton Ulladulla Bulldogs)
A reliable second rower for the Bulldogs, with the experience of playing in the front row in the Harold Matthews Cup.
Seven tries to his name and countless hit-ups, with one of his barnstorming charges against Warilla so damaging that it made it on to TikTok.
Sebastian Ball (Berry Shoalhaven Heads Magpies)
A front rower who is doing everything right for a young player.
Big in defence, working for the team and making some big carries.
Charles Heidke (Berry Shoalhaven Heads Magpies)
A centre coming off Steelers rep duty in the Harold Matthews Cup.
He’s an x-factor for the Magpies and knows how to find the line, having scored seven this season.
Cooper Barrett (Berry Shoalhaven Heads Magpies)
The eyes and ears of the team from fullback.
He steers the Berry ship and provides great communication and skill on the paddock.
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