Rookies, veterans, X-factors, leaders, under the radar threats: 25 players to watch in Group 7 finals
Which players will step up for their sides in finals to inspire them to a Group 7 premiership? We’ve put together a list of key rookies, veteran, X-factors and under the radar players to watch.
The South Coast News
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Group 7 rugby league finals kick off this weekend with five teams gone and five teams remaining in the hunt for a premiership.
The Stingrays of Shellharbour have earned themselves a week off after securing the minor premiership, leaving the Gerringong Lions and Shellharbour Sharks to battle in the major semi final, while the Nowra-Bomaderry Jets and Milton Ulladulla Bulldogs look to keep their seasons going in the minor semi final.
Ahead of finals kicking off, we’ve analysed each side and talked to every coach to pick out some key game changers that will be crucial to each team’s success.
We’ve picked out the best rookies, veterans, leaders, x-factors and under the radar players from each side.
Check out the full list of finals game changers to watch.
Rookies
Ben Weatherall (Stingrays of Shellharbour)
Promoted from the reserve squad for the 2023 season, Weatherall has come on leaps and bounds.
A large frame for a winger allows him to help his side out of danger with some big runs, while also aiding him to notch 12 tries so far this season.
Jack Quine (Gerringong Lions)
The second rower emerged as one of the first names on the team sheet each week for the Lions.
Plays a tough game and is excellent in defence, while also being a threat on attack having picked up eight tries and a handful of assists from the left edge.
Wayde Aitken (Shellharbour Sharks)
Not a rookie by definition but a young head it a fairly old Sharks side, Aitken has asserted himself in the centres for the Sharks and shown his ability to find the line.
Coach Atallah is looking forward to him stepping up even further in finals.
Beau Luland (Nowra-Bomaderry Jets)
In his first full season of first grade Luland is joint highest try scorer with 16.
He has that ability to create something out of nothing, shown with the amount of long range tries he has scored from the wing and fullback.
Jarrah Treweek (Milton Ulladulla Bulldogs)
One of the rising stars of south coast footy is big Treweek who possesses incredible physical attributes and skills for a second rower.
Promoted from the U18s this season, he’s no stranger to the try line and is a standout performer week in week out.
Veterans
William Heta (Stingrays of Shellharbour)
The experienced five-eighth steers the Stingrays around the park and has one of the best kicking games in the competition.
He’s played in numerous finals and finals series across different competitions, now looking to inspire the Stingrays to a maiden premiership.
Danny Wedd (Gerringong Lions)
With over 100 first grade games in Lions colours, Wedd is an ultimate professional and a selfless worker for his side.
Had made the lock forward position his own, widely considered one of the best forwards in the competition.
Josh Starling (Shellharbour Sharks)
The former NRL player was a massive contributor to the 11 game winning streak the Shellharbour Sharks went on this season.
The Sharks are a different side when he’s playing, leading through his actions through the middle with the ball and in defence.
Dylan Farrell (Nowra-Bomaderry Jets)
Another former NRL player who has brought so much class to the five-eighth role for the Jets this year and is massively to thank for their rise this season.
Brings exceptional leadership, skill and physicality to the side.
Paul Thornton (Milton Ulladulla Bulldogs)
The big front rower has been aggressive in his ball carrying all year and the team seems to respond to his energy.
Leads through his action and is an invaluable presence of physicality and experience for the Bulldogs.
X-factors
Colby Smith (Stingrays of Shellharbour)
A true game changer by the definition, Smith brings so much to the Stingrays side from hooker.
Creates sparks in the Stingrays attack from nothing, gets the big boys rolling forward and isn’t afraid to scurry over and find the line himself, as he’s done six times this year.
Toby Gumley-Quine (Gerringong Lions)
Has that magic touch to create something out of nothing for the Lions.
Great pace and agility to skip to the outside, he’ll be returning to his lethal home in the centres for the finals despite an influential fill-in at fullback.
Braxton Wallace (Shellharbour Sharks)
The creative spark from fullback for the Sharks, Wallace has found the line 11 times this season.
“The more touches he gets the better we become,” according to coach Atallah.
Tyson Simpson (Nowra-Bomaderry Jets)
Has really picked up in form over the last month for the Jets from second row.
A real game changer, when he’s on and firing he’s tough to handle, having crossed for nine tries this season.
Cody Roach (Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs)
‘Cool as ice’ Cody Roach has that bit of flare and magic about him, so much so that his coach says that he doesn’t know what he’s going to do half the time.
A great passing and kicking game, he’s always heavily involved from the halves and loves to create gaps to send his teammates through the line.
Leaders
Tom Warner (Stingrays of Shellharbour)
You can’t mention the Stingrays game changers without giving a mention to the captain and coach Tom Warner.
A leader through action, the big second rower has found his way to the line nine times this season and is the perfect leader of his troops.
Nathan Ford (Gerringong Lions)
The veteran hooker is a real clubman and ultimate leader for the Lions.
Over 200 games for the club and still as influential on the park as ever, he’ll no doubt be eyeing up another premiership.
Emanuel Sultana (Shellharbour Sharks)
Has really come on in a leadership role on the park this season and it’s shown with the form he has been in.
Influential from five-eighth, Sultana ultimately dictates the result for the Sharks and is crucial to their game every week.
Adam Quinlan (Nowra-Bomaderry Jets)
The captain and coach of the Jets who has such a great understanding of his teammates and is a terrific leader from fullback.
Speaks so highly of his boys on and off the park and wants nothing more than premiership success with his Jets.
Blake Mackey (Milton Ulladulla Bulldogs)
Captain of the Bulldogs, Mackey is very vocal on the park but ultimately leads through his actions.
Has been at the club for a lot of years now and the boys all look up to him for inspiration and leadership.
Under the radar
Jeremy Cairns (Stingrays of Shellharbour)
Has filled many roles for the Stingrays this year, typically finding himself in lock forward.
Crucially though, Cairns is the first forward to come off the bench each game and when he does the tempo and intensity lifts through him for the rest of the boys.
Jake Taylor (Gerringong Lions)
Another forward for the Lions who perhaps doesn’t get the recognition he deserves.
Consistent in attack and defence week in week out from prop forward, he’s invaluable to Gerringong.
Matt Nicholson (Shellharbour Sharks)
One of the best prop forwards in the competition who perhaps doesn’t get the plaudits when Starling is on the field.
Between the pair of them though they make a fierce prop forward pairing, with Nicholson playing 80 minute games through the middle.
Bailey Sassall (Milton Ulladulla Bulldogs)
The young gun lock for the Bulldogs is just 19 years old but is a tireless worker for the Bulldogs.
According to coach Lynch, when he came on the park on the weekend the momentum changed and contributed to the Bulldogs getting the job done.
Zachary Kershaw (Nowra-Bomaderry Jets)
Gets great appreciation from his Jets teammates but perhaps not to the neutral eye.
Makes 40-50 tackles a game and tireless hit ups to keep the cogs turning for the Jets.
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