Andrew Johns/Laurie Daley Cup: Grand final preview, players to watch
Some of the best rugby league talents in regional NSW will battle it out for glory in the grand final of the Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cup. GF preview and players to watch.
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After a exhilarating regional representative season it all comes down to one game, with the best junior sides country NSW set to clash in the grand final of the Andrew Johns and Laurie Daley Cup competitions.
With the games to be played on Saturday 29 March at GIO Stadium in Canberra, the Newcastle-Maitland Region Knights and Northern Rivers Titans will face in the Johns Cup (under-16s) while the Illawarra South Coast Dragons will do battle with the Macarthur Wests Tigers in the Daley Cup (under-18s).
Ahead of the deciders, check out a preview of both games and some of the brightest young stars to keep an eye on.
ANDREW JOHNS CUP
Newcastle-Maitland Region Knights v Northern Rivers Titans, 11:30am
It will be a case of familiar foes facing off in the Johns Cup as the Knights and Titans managed to make it out of a highly competitive Northern Pool before prevailing in their semi-finals to meet again in the grand final.
“There were two teams (in the Northern Pool) who lost two games and the Northern (Tigers) side who lost two and a half, so it was really tight and we were really fortunate to get through that,” said Northern Rivers coach Nic Forrester.
“I think we proved that we deserved to get through that group by how we went in the semi but I think any of those teams on their day could have beaten anyone.”
The tough pool stage has proved fruitful for the teams, who make their way down to Canberra for the decider after dramatic but very different semi-final experiences.
Newcastle, the Northern Pool winners, put on a masterclass of semi-final football by getting off to a flyer against Macarthur, scoring two tries in the first five minutes before taking a 16-0 lead into the break.
It was a different story in the second half though as the Tigers launched a stirring comeback, however the Knights held on for a 22-18 victory.
Meanwhile the Titans, who will be gunning for a record-equalling third Andrew Johns Cup crown, were forced to do the chasing in their semi-final against the previously undefeated Illawarra South Coast Dragons.
After slumping to a 10-0 lead early on, the Titans clawed their way back into the contest on the back of some good work from their forwards and exciting second-phase play.
Then with scores level and just two minutes left on the clock, front-rower Nixon O’Connor came up with a huge play as he brushed aside six Dragons defenders before planting the ball down to score the matchwinning try.
“We were always confident that we had that in us but you’re never quite sure until you witness it, especially after going down 10-0,” said Forrester.
“All of the feedback from our trainers out on the field was that the boys were really positive the whole time and that showed in their actions.
“I think they felt like they had nothing to lose, from where they were at, so they just made a promise to each other that they would keep competing for the whole game. Then I few things went our way and we finished in front.”
The result set up a rematch of the chaotic round three clash that saw the Knights prevail 26-20 in Lismore.
After racing out to a commanding 26-4 lead, the Knights suffered from some ill-discipline and had not just one or two but three players sent to the sin bin. While this triggered a Titans comeback, the 10-man Knights held on for a nailbiting 26-20 victory.
“We know it’s going to be a close game, we know that they’re an amazing side, we really just don’t want to beat ourselves,” said Forrester.
“In that first half against the Knights (in round three) we just came out a bit shell-shocked, the Knights were really physical and the boys hadn’t really had that yet, so the lesson from that is to make sure that the boys are competing and giving themselves the best chance to be there at the end of the game.
“I don’t think there’s any rocket science game plan to beating the Knights; they’ve got quality all over the field, we just have to keep turning up in defence, not be intimidated and compete for the whole game.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
While Northern Pool leaders Newcastle have had plenty of outstanding performers, one has stood out above the rest during the team’s path to the finals.
With excellent ball skills, the ability to break the line and a truly outstanding kicking game for a young player, halfback Ty Ennis has arguably been the player of the entire competition so far this season and will be a key man for the Knights in the decider.
Elsewhere, fullback Rico Elers is another who is incredibly dangerous in attack and hooker Chase Firman has put in some outstanding performances from dummy-half, most notably scoring two crucial tries in the team’s victory over Macarthur in the semi-final.
Meanwhile, with a dangerous combination of size, strength and athleticism, front-rowers Oliver Lawrence and Makinah Kupenga have helped lay the platform for their side with some excellent performances in the middle and will be crucial to winning the battle field position on Saturday.
As for the Titans, halfback and captain Dallas Russell has been a key man in steering the Northern Rivers side around the park, particularly since the round four injury of star five-eighth Lex Izzard, who until that point had been one of the side’s best.
Izzard’s replacement Eden Humphreys has been impressive since shifting from the number 14 role to five-eighth and his combination with his skipper will play a big role in the team’s chances on Saturday.
The likes of Charlie Wood, Max Palmer and Manoa Scott have been impressive in the forwards, while lock Jett Prichard once again looms as a key man as he plays an important link role between the halves and outside backs.
LAURIE DALEY CUP
Illawarra South Coast Dragons v Macarthur Wests Tigers – 1:15pm
In contrast to the earlier fixture, it will be an all Southern Pool clash in the Daley Cup as the Dragons and Tigers battle it out for the crown.
Both teams have the chance to create history in their own ways, with the Dragons gunning for an unprecedented fourth title in the competition, which is just in its seventh season, while Macarthur will be looking to break through for its first grand final victory in the Daley Cup.
The clash will be a rematch of what was arguably the game of the season so far when the Dragons scored three tries in the final 12 minutes – including a stunning length-of-the-field effort at the death – to defeat the 12-man Tigers 26-22 in a thriller back in round three.
And while the Dragons got the chocolates that day, coach Adam Sargent-Wilson knows his side faces an almighty challenge against Macarthur in the decider.
“They’re a really good side, there’s no doubt about it,” he said. “They’re one of those teams that plays with momentum. They’re dangerous through the middle, their halves control the game really well and then they’ve got some firepower on those edges.
“They’re going to be a team that comes out firing so we’re going to have to match that intensity from the start and make sure that our defensive commitments are spot on.”
Despite topping the Southern Pool, the Dragons haven’t had it all their own way throughout the season.
After winning their first three games, Illawarra suffered back-to-back losses to Newcastle and Monaro before getting some revenge by defeating the Knights 31-18 in the semi-final last weekend.
“The thing that has impressed me the most is their work ethic,” said Sargent-Wilson.
“They’ve also got that resilience and belief in each other now. They’ve been working pretty hard since November and have been building some strong combinations and there’s a culture there where everyone plays their role.
“We have a mentality of ‘It’s not just a team, it’s a squad’, and every player has contributed to getting us to where we are. I think that’s why we’ve made the grand final.”
It is a similar story for the Tigers, who have shown similar qualities on their path to the final.
“I’m really impressed with the way that we’ve gotten around each other,” said coach Brody Dooner. “Even when we’ve had losses, we’ve built off of that, and when we’ve made small mistakes we’ve been able to back ourselves after that.”
Indeed, the team has shown plenty of resilience throughout the competition, coming back from 22-6 to defeat Monaro 30-22 in round two and similarly overcoming a 16-point deficit to down Western 30-26 in round four.
“Obviously we didn’t want to put ourselves in those positions and from the outside looking in it looks like a good storyline but the boys did what I mentioned before: they just got together and did the job,” said Dooner.
That resilience was on full show in the semi-final against the previously undefeated North Coast Bulldogs, with the Tigers overturning a 44-6 loss to the Dogs the week before to prevail 18-12 in a wet weather masterclass.
“Our middles are one of our strengths and all we said all week that in order to win we had to hold onto the ball, not turn it over and complete our sets,” said Dooner.
“I commend the boys for what they did. There were a few injuries in the game, a few bumps and bruises. A few boys definitely could have come off with their injuries but they stuck strong, knew they still had a job to do and knew that they weren’t done yet either.”
And as for final instructions before the decider, the message is clear for Macarthur.
“We won’t go away from what we’ve done to get here,” said Dooner. “I know other people would say, ‘It’s just another game’, but the boys know it’s a grand final, I know it’s a grand final, I know it’s a big deal for these boys.
“I know it’s something for the Macarthur Wests Tigers to try and win the Laurie Daley Cup for the first time, so that’s an amazing achievement for the boys to get there.
“I know it’s just another game but we’ll embrace it. But all season, from round one to the semis, the boys have tried to stick to the same principles and play their brand of football. We don’t need to go away from what’s been working, we just need to stay headstrong and band together like they’ve done all season.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
In a combination born out of backyard footy, twins Lexin and Rhys O’Dea have been outstanding for the Dragons this season.
With what seems like a telepathic connection, the halfback-second row combination has caused opposition teams plenty of headaches down the left edge.
On the other side, five-eighth Beau Baldock has been another star for the side, running in six tries to be the team’s equal leading tryscorers, while fullback Jack Talbott showed his class with a standout performance against the Knights in the semi-final.
And finally, leading the team with absolute distinction is centre and skipper Archie Wheeler.
“He’s been very, very strong all year, definitely one of the keys to our success,” said Sargent-Wilson. “We’re a team that plays with all 18 but to have him as the leader is great.
“He’s definitely one of those players who has stepped up and led the team by example. He’s tough, skilful with the ball, he’s got great feet and has scored a number of critical tries that have got us back in games or won games, so he’s been a massive player for us.”
As for Macarthur, five-eighth Tyson Walker has been a standout in attack and looms as a key man on Saturday.
“His transition from the different positions he can play has been brilliant. He has come in and taken over his role as a commanding half,” said Dooner.
Out wide, the Tigers have plenty of strike in centres Glassie Glassie and Patrick Toomalatai, while hooker and captain Brooklyn Milford has kept the middle tight and controlled the ruck all season.
Meanwhile one of Macarthur’s unsung heroes has been Ryan Mackander, who has come off the bench in the number 14 role and made a significant impact off the bench.
“He’s one of our underrated players, he just gets out there and does his job,” said Dooner.
“If you look at the scoresheets he’s the one who has scored some tries to help us win games but they’re not the things I care about. He’s always doing everything off the ball movement-wise, playing-wise, so he’s been one that has impressed me all season long.”
Originally published as Andrew Johns/Laurie Daley Cup: Grand final preview, players to watch
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