X-factors: 25 prodigious U18 rugby league stars chasing premiership glory ahead of Group 7 finals
Finals are upon us in Group 7’s U18 competition. We’ve put together a list of 25 game changers who have been in red hot form in 2023 and will be crucial to their side’s finals success.
The South Coast News
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It’s finals season for local rugby league players in the Group 7 U18s competition.
The competition this year has been fiercely competitive and has allowed a number of prodigious footy talents to burst their way on to the scene, with a number earning first grade call ups throughout the year.
After 18 rounds of action, the Gerringong Lions emerged as the minor premiers without a loss to their name, joined in the finals series by the Warilla-Lake South Gorillas, Stingrays of Shellharbour, Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles and Berry Shoalhaven Heads Magpies.
Ahead of the finals series kicking off, we’ve put together a list highlighting five U18 talents from each team who have been in scintillating form this season and will look to inspire their teams in the coming weeks.
Check out the full list of young guns.
1st – Gerringong Lions (16 wins, 0 losses)
Caleb Hall
The fullback of the undefeated Lions who provides a real spark from the back and links his backline well.
Great speed, footwork and elusiveness when returning the ball from kicks.
Cooper Harrison
Dynamite off the kicking tee, the five-eighth is the leading point scorer in the competition with 210.
This is helped by the 14 tries he’s crossed for as well, while also providing a great kicking game in play as well.
Isaac Laughton
Like Harrison and Hall, Laughton has impressed enough to play a bit of first grade this season.
A big framed back rower who’s a terrific hole runner and tough in defence.
Bailey Marks
Has scored a whopping 18 tries from second row and leads his side.
Coming back from a shoulder reconstruction, Marks is a strong ball runner and has great footwork.
Seth Pearman
The elusive hooker for the Gerringong side.
Crafty out of dummy half, dynamic with the footy and a punishing defender.
2nd – Warilla-Lake South Gorillas (12 wins, 4 losses)
Hudson Bailey
“One of the best engines I’ve seen,” according to his coach Leigh Clark.
Has moved to the front row due to injuries and is playing 70 minute games, remaining absolutely outstanding all year long.
Cooper Hardaker
A halfback with “renewed confidence” having also dabbled in first grade for the Gorillas.
Great at directing his troops and possesses a nice kicking game.
Dreau Clark
The five-eighth provides great leadership on the paddock for his Gorillas and has a terrific ball playing ability.
Ended the regular season second overall in both tries (19) and points (180).
Drew Langdon
Has been showing his motor by backing up from the U18s into first grade a lot of weeks.
Has come back to the U18s with a bang and his coach expects a big finals series out of him from second row.
Tobi Rosewarn
A big forward following in the footsteps of his brother Guy Rosewarn who plays first grade for the Gorillas.
Has taken on the captaincy role and really elevated his game as a result.
3rd – Stingrays of Shellharbour (12 wins, 4 losses)
Zacc Lewis & Dan Brady
The package deal halves combination highlighted mid-year have continued their run of great form.
They both steer the boys around, ensuring they stick to their game plans and ultimately create the big moments for their side to flourish.
Bohden Barrett
A centre with great speed and strength who is just “killing it” according to coach Mark Lewis.
Son to Trent Barrett, the young gun has eight tries to his name this season and has set up plenty more.
Byron Pitt
Pitt is evolving into one of the ultimate utility players, having lined up just about everywhere on the field this season except front row.
He has all the skills, speed, strength, sound defence, great personality and is just a well-rounded young gun.
Jed Gottaas
A real workhorse who leads through action for the Stingrays.
A great kid to have the footy when his side needs to go forward, also contributing with heaps of tackles in defence.
4th – Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles (10 wins, 6 losses)
James Kunkler & Cooper Barnes
Another dynamic duo highlighted in mid-year, the two centres for the Eagles have continued their electric form in the back half of the season.
Both have kept the pace with each other in terms of tries, leading the team at the top with 12 each. They also both made their first grade debuts in the same week.
Brodie Breakspear
Another to have made a first grade debut this season is the talented hooker Breakspear.
A strong defender, solid ball runner and creative outlet for the Eagles from hooker.
Joshua Daniel
Another frequent to the white line for the Eagles with 11 tries this season.
Fast and nimble from fullback, he’s another great creator for his side.
Lachlan Greatz
Chief playmaker from halfback and captaining the side.
Has come leaps and bounds in 2023 and is a terrific young footy player.
5th – Berry Shoalhaven Heads Magpies (9 wins, 7 losses)
Charlie Heidke
Leads the league for tries scored with a whopping 22 from centre.
He has the speeds, power and brains to be dangerous in any side.
Sebastian Ball
A big front rower who is excellent when he’s attacking the line.
The defensive side of his game is so important for the Magpies and a big contributor to their turn of form in the second half of the year.
Cooper Barrett
Mr Consistent from fullback for the Magpies.
His communication and direction from the back is so important for his side and his try assists have been massive this year
Riley Sims
Dabbling between the back and front row, Sims is very dangerous of the left edge.
Like his attack partner Ball, Sims is a very ballwork oriented forward and a tireless worker.
Macklin Berry
Berry’s very own Berry, the halfback for the Magpies is a terrific director of his troops.
For a small player as well his defensive work is “unbelievable” in the words of coach Kane Barrett.
Elimination finals schedule:
Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles U18s vs Berry Shoalhaven Heads Magpies – Bomaderry Sports Complex, Saturday August 26, 12:30pm
Warilla-Lake South Gorillas U18s vs Stingrays of Shellharbour U18s – Michael Cronin Oval, Saturday August 26, 12:30pm
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