NSW Cup team of the year 2021: The park footballers putting NRL stars to shame
The NSW Cup is flush with talent desperate for a chance — and some of this crop would outshine players with NRL deals.
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Plenty of highly paid NRL stars have had to cool their heels in NSW Cup this season only to find that so-called park footy isn’t as easy as it’s cracked up to be.
Former Origin players Andrew Fifita, Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson and Jaydn Su’A have all spent time in reserve grade this season and they can attest first-hand to the quality that can be found across the second-tier.
With a decision made on Wednesday to keep all major and community NSWRL competitions on hold for at least another week due to COVID-19, we’ve dug through the 15 rounds of NSW Cup played so far to name the cream of the crop in reserve grade in 2021 – be they up and comers, grizzled veterans who are still waiting for a shot at the big time, or something in-between.
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Makahesi Makatoa
Club: Parramatta Eels
Makatoa has been a NSW Cup stalwart for a long time now – the 28-year old has played a massive 115 reserve grade matches over the last seven years – but if ever a belated NRL debut was to come for the hard-nosed prop, it’s now. The Parramatta forward leads the competition in runs, run metres and post-contact metres and has helped lead the Eels to second spot on the ladder. Makatoa has been named in an extended squad for Parramatta a couple of times this year and could do a job off the bench if the club’s forward depth gets tested.
Tuki Simpkins
Club: Western Suburbs
At just 19, Simpkins has made a great fist of his first full season in senior footy and will be one to watch for next year at the Tigers. A powerful, mobile lock forward, Simpkins leads the competition in offloads and has steadily built his workrate through the season and has played a major role in Western Suburbs rise to the top four. A standout in rugby union as a junior, an NRL debut is not beyond Simpkins in the closing rounds of the year.
Kurt Falls
Club: Penrith Panthers
Falls thought the chance of an NRL career had passed him by after he was overlooked as a junior but the Panthers product kept at it, working full-time as a carpenter and slowly rising from local A-grade football all the way to reserve grade. Now Nathan Cleary’s schoolboy halves partner has landed a full-time contract and will be elevated to Penrith’s top 30 squad next year – his composure, kicking game and organisational skills have played a crucial role in helping the mountain men dominate NSW Cup this season.
Taylan May
Club: Penrith Panthers
Cracking Penrith’s red hot backline isn’t easy but winger Taylan May, younger brother of Tyrone, could well be the next cab off the rank out west. Along with Izack Tago, May has been in sublime form for Penrith this season – he leads the league in tackle busts and has improved his workrate as the season has continued. Brian To’o and Charlie Staines aren’t going anywhere, but the 19-year old May can certainly be a first grader in the near future.
Bronson Garlick
Club: Newtown Jets
Newtown captain Garlick has been in sublime form for the Jets – his 11 tries are the equal most in the competition, a fair effort for a second-rower. The son of former Roosters and Rabbitohs hooker Sean Garlick, the 26-year old has been a tower of consistency in an up and down season for the reigning premiers and while he’s currently without an NRL deal there are plenty of teams that could do worse than taking a chance on Henson Park’s newest hero.
Jordan Rankin
Club: Parramatta Eels
Rankin has come a long way from his debut as a 16-year-old for the Titans back in 2008. Now he’s the experienced hand at five-eighth for a red hot Parramatta side filled with young talent like Jakob Arthur, Will Penisini and Sean Russell. The former Tiger has been in top form himself and leads the league in try assists and line-break assists.
NSW CUP TEAM OF THE YEAR
1) Zac Cini (Western Suburbs)
2) Sione Hopoate (North Sydney Bears)
3) Izack Tago (Penrith Panthers)
4) Brent Naden (Penrith Panthers)
5) Taylan May (Penrith Panthers)
6) Jordan Rankin (Parramatta Eels)
7) Kurt Falls (Penrith Panthers)
8) Makahesi Makatoa (Parramatta Eels)
9) Jake Simpkin (Western Suburbs)
10) Ben Thomas (North Sydney Bears)
11) Bronson Garlick (Newtown Jets)
12) Elie El-Zakhem (Parramatta Eels)
13) Tuki Simpkins (Western Suburbs)
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