SG Ball, Harold Matts, Tarsha Gale Cup: 2021 Mid-season report card

A host of future NRL talents have already made their mark in the NSWRL this season — but who will stand up when it matters most? We analyse the state of play.

Parramatta's Myles Martin Picture: Bryden Sharp.

A metre-eater from Gundagai, a Bulldogs prodigy, a NRL CEO’s son - meet the kids currently dominating in the 2021 SG Ball Cup.

Paul Alamoti (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)

Blew Trent Barrett away after doing pre-season with Canterbury’s NRL side. Coaches opted to move 17-year-old Alamoti up to Ball this year and might end up playing a bit of Flegg too. The explosive centre has been everyone’s radar for a while now - he was selected in the NSW 16s side when he was just 15 back in 2019. The Dogs have played Alamoti in the centres, but he’s also a capable five-eighth. Regularly runs over opponents and has already scored four tries this season. Alamoti is a big reason why the Bulldogs currently sit on top of the ladder.

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Paul Alamoti has been one the players of the year in SG Ball and could be an NRL star of the future. Picture: David Swift.

Davvy Moale (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Likened to a young Payne Haas, the Bunnies no.8 Moale has been a clear stand out in 2021. The talented front rower is on a development contract and training full-time in Redfern. Moale could end up playing Flegg after the SG Ball season, but Souths are mindful not to rush the 17-year-old unnecessarily. The Rabbitohs beat rival NRL clubs and rugby union to secure Moale’s signature last year. After four rounds, he’s scored two tries and will be key for Souths leading into finals.

Jamie Humphreys (Manly Sea Eagles)

Young Humphreys wasted no time in establishing himself as one of the Cup’s best halfbacks. The playmaker - who is the son of Manly CEO Stephen Humphreys - has shown great composure, control and decision-making. Humphreys scored two late tries to edge Parramatta in Round 1 and has slotted a total of 10/12 conversions so far this season.

Davvy Moale has been compared to a young Payne Haas. Picture: Lars Roy

Krystian Mapapalangi (Manly Sea Eagles)

The utility back spent pre-season with Manly’s NRL side and has excelled at both five-eighth and fullback in SG Ball. Mapapalangi attended rugby league powerhouse Holy Cross College in Ryde and the school’s coaches say the youngster is one of the most talented kids they have ever seen. So far, Mapapalangi has set up plenty of tries and scored two himself.

Clay Webb (Canberra Raiders)

Canberra’s tough and skilful skipper. Webb is on a development contract with the Raiders and has been working closely with NRL star Elliott Whitehead over summer. Hailing from Gundagai, the back rower has run an astounding 593 metres so far this season. Webb was part of NSW’s under 16s side that beat Queensland in 2018.

Canberra SG Ball skipper Clay Webb has earned himself a development contract with the Raiders. Picture: Raiders Media.

Evan Manning (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Currently the competition’s top try scorer. Bunnies winger Manning has crossed on six occasions, having claimed two hat-tricks in four games. Credit also must go to his centre Josiah Karapani. The pair have gelled quickly to create a dangerous right edge attack.

Jordan Swann (Sydney Roosters)

The strong centre has scored five tries across the Chooks’ three games this season. Swann also leading the competition for line breaks (8). Second rower Zac Montgomery has also impressed and special mention to five-eighth Sandon Smith who has logged the most try assists so far (8).

SG Ball and Tarsha Gale rising stars, Jordan Swann, Tayla Montgomery, Sandon Smith and Keilee Joseph. Photo: Jeremy Piper.

Sualauvi Faalogo (Victoria Thunderbolts)

Fullback Faalogo has been a standout for the Thunderbolts, who seem to have coped well with their COVID-disrupted season start. The Victorian product has stunned spectators with his four tries - including an exciting late try to edge the Magpies in Round 3.

Kade Dykes (Cronulla Sharks)

The son of Sharks legend Adam Dykes has been electric for Cronulla. Kade has transitioned nicely from the halves to fullback this year and has already crashed over three times. Sharks centre Jordan Samrani has also been handy, scoring three tries and set up plenty more for his side.

SG BALL LADDER (AHEAD OF ROUND 5)

1 Canberra Raiders

2 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

3 South Sydney Rabbitohs

4 Manly Sea Eagles

5 Cronulla Sharks

6 Sydney Roosters

7 Parramatta Eels

8 Newcastle Knights

9 Victoria Thunderbolts

10 Illawarra Steelers

11 Balmain Tigers

12 Penrith Panthers

13 Wests Magpies

14 St George Illawarra Dragons

15 North Sydney Bears

SG BALL STATS (AHEAD OF ROUND 5)

Tries – Evan Manning (South Sydney Rabbitohs) 6

Try assists – Sandon Smith (Sydney Roosters) 8

Line breaks – Jordan Swann (Sydney Roosters) 8

Tackles – Elijah Sarkis (North Sydney Bears) 116

Metres run – Clay Webb (Canberra Raiders) 593m

HAROLD MATTS & TARSHA GALE REPORT CARD

An explosive centre from Taree, an under-15s Merit Australian Schoolboy and an NRLW tryscorer — these are the kids who have already made their marks in the 2021 Harold Matthews and Tarsha Gale Cups.

Liam Ison (Panthers)

It’s hard to stand out in Penrith’s dominant Harold Matts side. They’ve only played four of the nine rounds this season, but already 14 kids have scored a combined total of 20 tries. But key to the Panthers’ tight spine is young fullback Ison. The local junior has scored three tries and is fearless in one-on-one situations, regardless of size match-ups. Ison is leading the competition in run metres and line breaks. Already, he’s notched 653 metres – that’s 60 metres more than the SG Ball’s top metre eater – and six line breaks. Ison attends St Dominic’s College – Nathan Cleary’s old school – and was key to their NRL Schoolboy Cup side that came within inches of upsetting powerhouse Westfields Sports High in last year’s tournament.

Penrith's Liam Ison Picture: Bryden Sharp

Ethan Ferguson (Newcastle Knights)

The explosive centre from Taree is the competition’s top tryscorer, already crashing over on five occasions. Ferguson has been in Newcastle’s system since the under-14s and this year. In 2019, the Taree Panther won Group Three’s under-15s title and went on to win the NSW Country under 15s championship. The young Knight looks physically strong and, under the guidance of NSW and Australian prop Mark O’Meley who is coaching Newcastle’s Harold Matts side, he will only get better. Special mention also to Newcastle hooker Broden Konz who has made the most tackles (111) this season.

Myles Martin (Eels)

The former Bathurst St Pat’s junior has been key to Parramatta’s side, scoring three tries. An effective prop and lock, Martin was a stand out for NSW Combined Catholic Colleges in their Australian National Schoolboys final victory- he was named man-of-the-match and selected in the Australian Schoolboys under-15s Merit Side. As a junior, he achieved five premierships representing Group 10 and the Western Rams.

Parramatta's Myles Martin Picture: Bryden Sharp

Benaiah Ioelu (Central Coast Roosters)

The Chooks snapped up Ioelu in 2019 on a two-year development deal and this year, the young kiwi has carved up for the Central Coast Roosters. Ioelu played junior footy for the Howick Hornets and Kieran Foran’s old club the Ellerslie Eagles. Before moving to the Roosters, the hooker had begun participating in the Warriors’ talent development program. Ioelu has scored four tries for the Coast Chooks and formed a formidable spine combination with playmakers Haydan Ritchie and Ethan Strange.

Roosters' Benaiah Ioelu Picture: Bryden Sharp.

Josh Feledy (Manly)

There’s plenty to like about Manly’s side this year, starting with their skipper Feledy. The centre has already scored four tries and this season marks his second year as Harold Matts captain. Feledy has benefited from impeccable service from Sea Eagles’ vice-captains, hooker Ollie Cummins and five-eighth Latu Fainu. Cummins has crossed over twice and has kicked well for Manly this year.

Isaiya Katoa (Panthers)

Penrith’s skipper, a serious talent who spent a bit of time with Penrith’s NRL side over the summer. Isaiya is the younger brother of Bulldogs hooker Sione Katoa and has been deadly for Penrith in the No. 6 jersey. Young Katoa is balancing both rugby league and union commitments this year and his availability to play will be impacted once Schoolboy Rugby starts up. Katoa might have scored just once this season, but he’s had a hand in plenty of others.

Penrith's Isaiya Katoa Picture: Bryden Sharp.

Cooper Toy (Sydney Roosters)

An unassuming outside back with a habit of scoring tries. The Roosters lured young Toy from Cronulla and after just a couple of games he has emerged as the Roosters secret weapon. Last weekend, Toy scored a hat-trick in his side’s victory over the Central Coast Chooks. He did the same against Illawarra in a pre-season trial this year.
Solomone Saukuru (Magpies)

There’s a couple of Magpies sitting on four tries – Saukuru, Kit Laulilii and Faaletino Tavana. As predicted, Saukuru is already standing out for his consistency and versatility. Wests have started the youngster in both the centres and second row – and still, he’s crashed over in every match so far. Has a knack for reading play and is clearly a handful for opposition sides.

Magpies' Solomone Saukuru Picture: Bryden Sharp.

Teagan Berry (Steelers)

Currently the standout player of the Tarsha Gale Cup. Berry scored a try on debut for the NRLW Dragons last year, while she was preparing for her Year 12 HSC exams. The young fullback has taken her footy to another level in 2021 and has scored six tries in just three games for Illawarra. Despite having a bye in round one, the Steelers sit second on the ladder. Coach Alicia-Kate Hawke’s side will be hard to beat – but Newcastle and the Tigers will have a good crack.

Steelers star Teagan Berry. Picture: NRL Images

Jessica Kennedy (Wests Tigers)

Lock Kennedy has been the Tigers system for four years and is captaining the club’s Tarsha Gale side in 2021. She is a workhorse, leads from the front and has played every minute this year in the middle. Tigers vice-captain Hope Tevaga caught the coaches attention with her unwavering work ethic and ability to play across the halves and centres.

HAROLD MATTS STAT LEADERS (AHEAD OF ROUND 5)

Tries – Ethan Ferguson (Newcastle Knights) 5

Try assists – Max Demeio (Cronulla Sharks) 5

Line breaks – Liam Ison (Penrith Panthers) 6

Tackles – Broden Konz (Newcastle Knights) 111

Metres run – Liam Ison (Penrith Panthers) 653

HAROLD MATTS LADDER (AHEAD OF ROUND 5)

1. Panthers

2. Sea Eagles

3. Sydney Roosters

4. Eels

5. Sharks

6. Wests Magpies

7. Knights

8. Central Coast Roosters

9. Illawarra Steelers

10. North Sydney Bears

11. Dragons

12. Balmain Tigers

13. Bulldogs

15. Raiders

15. Rabbitohs

TARSHA GALE LADDER (AHEAD OF ROUND 5)

1. Knights

2. Steelers

3. Wests Tigers

4. Sharks

5. Dragons

6. Sydney Roosters indigenous Academy

7. Raiders

8. Bulldogs

9. Eels

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