Manly halfback Tylor Bunting make short work of shift to the Northern Beaches

UPDATE: The NSWRL streams have been impacted by Sydney’s severe weather this week. Find out the latest on game changes here.

UPDATE: Due to the impact of the inclement weather in Sydney on some suburban footy grounds, the Daily Telegraph has been forced to make a change to its NSWRL junior reps live streams this weekend.

While the rain might have dashed our opportunity to stream the much anticipated SG Ball clash between Manly Sea Eagles and St George Dragons, what it can’t diminish is our commitment to the next generation of NRL and NRLW talent.

The Telegraph will now exclusively stream all the action from Leichhardt Oval, with the Balmain Tigers taking on a resurgent Newcastle Knights in the SG Ball Cup.

The Cup clash will kick off at 2.30pm Saturday afternoon.

We are determined to bring our readers the best action from the NSWRL junior representative program and will endeavour to have the Dragons and Sea Eagles on our stream in the future.

Sea Eagles swoop on gun teenage halfback

He might only be a teenager but already Tylor Bunting has had clubs clambering to have him on the books.

The former Penrith junior has made a home in the halves at the Sea Eagles this season despite helping the Panthers to within a game of the Harold Matts grand final last season.

Manly young gun Tylor Bunting has led the club's SG Ball side at halfback this season.

The young playmaker has seamlessly slotted into the Sea Eagles SG Ball halves alongside enigmatic five-eighth Latu Fainu, the brother of NRL dummy-half Manase.

The 18-year-old halfback will be a key part of a Sea Eagles side determined to maintain an undefeated start to the season against the St George Dragons at New Era Stadium on Saturday.

Bunting, who is the goal kicker for the Sea Eagles, told The Daily Telegraph that he can hardly remember a time when he didn’t have a no.7 on his back.

“I think from under-6s my first coach just chucked me in there and I’ve been stuck there ever since,” he said.

“I think I have a good overall kicking game, but I still have a lot to work on.

“I am trying to work on my running game and also playing up an age I am trying to work on my voice - it’s something that comes a bit naturally to me, but as a halfback it’s important.”

Manly young gun Tylor Bunting credits former Roosters and Storm premiership winner Cooper Cronk as one of his NRL idols.

The next generation of NRL halves have had no shortage of stars to mould their game around with Bunting looking at two-time premiership winner Cooper Cronk for inspiration.

“I liked the way Cooper Cronk played through his career,” Bunting said.

Tylor Bunting played for the Penrith Panthers in the Harold Matts competition last season. Picture: Bryden Sharp

“I try to base my game off Cooper Cronk, his game management, he has a good kicking game as well, but his game management is something I can really take from him and learn from.

Despite now needing to drive nearly an hour and a half to training, Bunting said he’s enjoying his footy on the northern beaches with the side two and zero to start the season after a 24-14 win against the Steelers last weekend.

Saturday’s match against the Dragons is set to be contested in soggy conditions which Bunting explained would lead to the Sea Eagles to take on a straightforward game plan.

“I’ve fit in well with the team,” he said.

“We still have a lot of work to do. It’s only the early rounds, but I am sure we’ll come good as we keep on going.

“You’ve got to keep your passes short [in wet conditions] and focus on completing out sets. We will need to hold on to the ball and if we do we should be able to get a result out of it.”

While Bunting will be one to watch, the rookie playmaker said there are a few other faces footy fans should keep an eye on.

“Our no. 6 Latu is a really strong ball runner and so is our centre Josh [Feledy],” he said.

“The no.10 Caleb [Navale] is also really good in the middle.”

Originally published as Manly halfback Tylor Bunting make short work of shift to the Northern Beaches