NSWRL 2022: The players set to dominate on grand final day

It’s NSWRL grand final day and these are the stars we expect to shine in the deciders of the Tarsha Gale Cup, Harold Matthews Cup and SG Ball Cup at Commbank Stadium.

It proved to be a standout season for the young guns of the NSWRL, but there was one backrower who has set tongues wagging across the NRL landscape.

Cronulla tyro Max McCarthy, who will play a key role in the Shire side’s quest for a Harold Matthews premiership on Saturday, has turned plenty of heads at the top level.

A player who goes hunting for work across the field, the consistent performer is understood to be in the sights of several Sydney-based NRL clubs.

But McCarthy has opted to spurn the approaches of other clubs, instead inking a two-year deal to keep him in the Shire in a massive boost for the Sharks.

He was a regular in The Daily Telegraph’s weekly MVPs list throughout the NSWRL junior representative season and it is not hard to see why.

McCarthy will be a key weapon for the Sharks when they meet the Western Suburbs Magpies at Commbank Stadium on Saturday.

It will be a massive grand final day with the Knights facing off against the undefeated Sydney Roosters Indigenous Academy in the Tarsha Gale Cup, while the Roosters SG Ball squad will be determined to stop the momentum of the high-flying Penrith Panthers.

The Daily Telegraph has ridden shotgun with the best rising stars of the NSWRL this season, and ahead of the grand finals we have pulled together a list of the best breakout stars this season.

Promising Sharks forward Max McCarthy will feature in the club's Harold Matthews grand final. Picture: Steve Montgomery

Max McCarthy

Cronulla Sharks

Harold Matthews

A regular in The Daily Telegraph’s junior MVP’ this year, Cronulla’s star second rower Max McCarthy is sure to be on the Magpies radar in this weekend’s Harold Matthews grand final. A workhorse for the Sharks, McCarthy’s been consistent, has a great attitude and has a knack for finding the line.

Salma Nour

Illawarra Steelers

Tarsha Gale Cup]

After a pre-season in the Dragons NRLW ranks, Steelers captain Salma Nour took her footy to the next level in this year’s Tarsha Gale competition. The star no. 9 was key for the Steelers success this year, through her leadership and strong running out of dummy half. Finishing the season with a ten-try haul, Nour made it known she is among the next generation of NRLW stars ready to make her mark in women’s footy. While the Corrimal junior is expected to continue her football journey with the Dragons NRLW side, the skilful hooker sits as one as the NRLW’s hottest free agents.

Penrith's Isaiya Katoa. Picture: Bryden Sharp

Isaiya Katoa

Penrith Panthers

SG Ball

Panthers’ playmaking prodigy Isaiya Katoa, has been the star of the SG Ball this year. For the final time Katoa will don Penrith’s no. 7 jersey in this weekend’s grand final, expected to headline another standout performance for the young men from the foot of the mountains. The stallion halfback recently made headlines after he was snapped up by Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins on a three-year deal. There’s no doubt the Dolphins-bound half is one of the NRL’s brightest future talents.

Otesa Pule

Sydney Roosters Indigenous
Academy

Tarsha Gale Cup

One of the hottest young talents lining up in tomorrow’s Tarsha Gale grand final, Roosters’ hard-running second rower Otesa Pule has been a handful all throughout the 2022 season, leading her side to another grand final appearance. A Roosters first grade contracted player, the Queensland product sat in the top 24 for the Roosters premiership winning Sydney squad but is expected to make her NRLW debut for the Central Coast Roosters Harvey Norman side after Saturday’s Grand Final.

:Rooster Cooper Toy. Picture: Julian Andrews

Cooper Toy

Sydney Roosters

Harold Matthews

An unassuming outside back with a habit of scoring tries, only blockbusting centre Cooper Toy could manage to stand out in a star-studded Roosters Harold Matthews outfit. The explosive no. 4 was difficult to stop all year — not only could he run a good line, but offered good support play and finishing. Could Cooper Toy be the next Cooper Cronk?

Manly's outstanding Latu Fainu making another break. Picture: Julian Andrews

Latu Fainu

Manly Sea Eagles

SG Ball

One of the most highly touted junior players coming through the ranks, Manly contracted five-eighth Latu Fainu lived up to expectations in the SG Ball competition this year. The playmaker who was named Harold Matthews Player of the Series last year, proved he is ready to make the next step up to Jersey Flegg. Fainu, who has agreed to a four-year contract with Manly, had a standout round 3 appearance, with the exciting young no. 6 scoring two tries in seven minutes.

Parramatta player, Ruby-Jean Kennard. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Ruby-Jean Kennard Ellis

Parramatta Eels

Tarsha Gale Cup

Parramatta skipper Ruby-Jean Kennard Ellis was up there with the best front rowers in the competition this year and, leading her side from the front all the way to the semi-finals. One of the most consistent kids Parramatta has ever seen, Kennard Elis was up there with the best front rowers in the competition. The hard-running no. 10 who hails from a talented rugby league family will no doubt be looking to step up into Parramatta’s NRLW side.