All the action and pictures from round one of the NSWRL junior representative season
With round one of the NSWRL junior reps season in the bag, we look at what made headlines in Harold Matts, SG Ball and Tarsha Gale Cup, plus rate our TEAMS OF THE WEEK from all three grades.
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WITH a blistering return to footy at the weekend, it’s time to look at who stood above the pack in the NSWRL junior reps.
We look at our teams of the week for Harold Matthews, SG Ball and Tarsha Gale, recognising the young men and women who performed in round one.
HAROLD MATTS
1. Jaxen Edgar (Penrith)
2. Samisoni Talakai (Central Coast)
3. Heamasi Makasini (Wests)
4. Harry Hudson (Canberra)
5. Callan Winter (Newcastle)
6. Bronson Rueben (Canterbury Bankstown)
7. Jonah Anderson (Canberra)
8. Jack Hilliar (Newcastle)
9. Mitchell Brophy (Canberra)
10. Alex Futialo (St George)
11. Byron Laupepa (Wests)
12. Finau Latu (St George)
13. Zach Fittler (Roosters)
14. Mitchell Woods (Canterbury Bankstown)
15. Alex Challenor (Cronulla)
16. Hayden Buchanan (Illawarra)
17. Kade Reed (Illawarra)
SG BALL
1. Fletcher Sharpe (Newcastle)
2. Jordi Mazzone (Canterbury Bankstown)
3. Ethan Ferguson (Newcastle)
4. Solomone Saukuru (Wests)
5. Cody Parry (Parramatta)
6. Dylan Christensen (Cronulla)
7. Lachlan Galvin (Wests)
8. Felix Faatili (Cronulla)
9. Etuate Fukofuka (Warriors)
10. Luron Patea (Penrith)
11. Salesi Foketi (Roosters)
12. Tony Sukkar (Balmain)
13. Samuel McCulloc (Cronulla)
14. Owen Hromow (Canberra)
15. Richard Penisini (Parramatta)
16. Liam Le Blanc (South Sydney)
17. Owen Pattie (Canberra)
TARSHA GALE
1. Taytana Ifopo (Canterbury Bankstown)
2. Mia-Rose Walsh (Illawarra)
3. Lailani Montgomery (Roosters Indigenous)
4. Litia Fusi (Canterbury Bankstown)
5. Ava Osland (Newcastle)
6. Aaliyah Haumono (Manly Warringah)
7. Chelsea Makira (Canterbury Bankstown)
8. Tafao Asaua (Manly Warringah)
9. Leah Ollerton (Newcastle)
10. Eliza Lopamaua (Roosters Indigenous)
11. Ella Koster (Illawarra)
12. Noaria Kapua (Canterbury Bankstown)
13. Ally Bullman (Roosters Indigenous)
14. Kim Duncan (North Sydney)
15. Waimarie Martin (Canterbury Bankstown)
16. Taleenza Nelson (Manly Warringah)
17. Harmony Crichton (Wests Tigers)
20 TALKING POINTS - ROUND ONE
WITH round one of the NSWRL junior reps season in the books, we look back at the big moments that caught the eye on the opening weekend.
Here are the 20 major talking points from round one:
EARLY TRY OF THE YEAR NOMINEE
Ella Koster was simply unstoppable for the Steelers in their 28-0 win over the Panthers.
The second rower scored a terrific solo try, breaking a tackle from two defenders on her own 40 metre line and bursting through the line, before stepping the fullback and running the length of the field to score.
Koster also provided the assist for the first try of the afternoon.
PANTHERS SNATCH WIN AT THE DEATH
The Panthers SG Ball side were the only travelling side to leave WIN Stadium victorious on Sunday.
Big prop forward Luron Patea crashed over the line from short range in the 68th minute of the match to level up the scores.
Five-eighth Riley Pollard would then successfully convert the try in the final moments of the game to give the Panthers a 14-16 win over the Steelers.
STAR HALF AT THE HEART OF SUPERB TRY
Captain Kade Reed was crucial to his side’s strong 34-26 victory over the Panthers in the Harold Matthews Cup.
One of his highlights was his role in Hayden Buchanan’s second half try, where he picked up a loose ball on his own 40 metre line, before providing the assist to the line break that would ultimately lead to the long-range try.
Reed also picked up an important late try himself to cap off his performance and seal his side’s victory.
RAIDERS BALL DROP THE HAMMER ON STORM
It was complete domination from Canberra as they posted the biggest win of the weekend across all competitions.
The Raiders ran in 12 tries with no response from Melbourne in a 66-point demolition.
With their first three games on the road before four-straight in the nation’s capital, banking wins and points for will prove crucial.
CANBERRA DIGS DEEP TO HOLD OFF COAST
It was no cakewalk for the Raiders in Harold Matts however, with two points all that separated them and the Central Coast Roosters.
They led at halftime and maintained that advantage throughout, calling on all reserves as the home side finished with a flourish.
We saw enough from both teams to suggest they wouldn’t look out of place in the finals.
REMEMBER THE NAME
Roosters officials would have to be pleased with the efforts of Demetrius Kilisimasi in the defeat to Canberra.
The livewire fullback scored a try when linking to perfection with half Chaice Bayley, before setting up winger Samisoni Talakai with an incredible offload.
A mix of flashy ability and skill, he’s definitely one for the future.
BULLDOGS WOMEN FLEX MUSCLES
Their recruitment during the off-season was strong, and Canterbury was justified with a huge win in the Tarsha Gale Cup.
Kiwi recruits Alexis Tauaneai and Tatiana Finau were both strong in the forward pack in laying the platform.
The centre-wing combo of Litia Fusi and Ebony Raftstrand-Smith was unstoppable down the left-hand side and will cause plenty of headaches for opposing defences this year.
MATTS TRY OF THE YEAR?
A barnstorming start to the year at Belmore saw one of the better tries you’ll see in any grade this year.
Christopher Makhlouf from his own goal line intercepted a stray pass, racing 30m before offloading to Mitchell Woods, who held off a chasing pack to run the length of the field.
It was a brilliant display of speed and precision, giving us an early highlight we won’t forget anytime soon.
KNIGHTS CLEAN SWEEP SETS THE TONE
Newcastle was in fine form for its trip down the Pacific Mwy to take on North Sydney, claiming wins in all three grades.
It was an important confidence builder to set the tone early, as the Matts and Ball came away with very convincing wins.
The Tarsha Gale side was made to work hard, but a bit of Ava Osland brilliance and a late determination saw them hold the Bears at bay.
MAZZONE BRILLIANCE LIFTS DOGS
A flying Jordi Mazzone was at his brilliant best in a hat-trick performance for the Bulldogs SG Ball side.
We saw a bit of everything from the electrifying winger, from diving attempts in the corner through to racing away and leaving the defence grasping at thin air.
Bulldogs fans should be every excited about the things this young man is producing.
WARRIORS SCRAMBLE DEFENCE ON SONG
South Sydney threw everything they had at New Zealand in the second half of their SG Ball clash at Redfern Oval, but they weren’t able to breach the line.
A number of times the Rabbitohs looked certain to score on the left-hand side, only for the cover defence of fullback Ratu Saimone Naborisi and his inside men to thwart any danger.
It was a courageous win that sets the tone for the rest of the season as they return home for their first game in New Zealand this weekend.
GRAY’S ABSENCE HURTS RABBITOHS
A hamstring injury kept Queensland import Jye Gray out of the Rabbitohs SG Ball line-up at the weekend, and his leadership was missed.
South Sydney had a number of chances on the Warriors line, but were unable to land the killer blow when it mattered.
He looks to be the missing piece for the Rabbitohs to put a talented squad together as one.
SEA EAGLES SWOOP INTO HISTORY BOOKS
With three minutes left on the clock at Campbelltown, Manly’s quest for a historic maiden victory in women’s competition looked about as secure as Turbo’s hamstring.
Trailing the Tigers 12-10 and with two injured players receiving attention in backplay, the Sea Eagles were cooked until Aaliyah Haumono pounced from centre field.
Latching onto an intercept, the ponytailed playmaker then scooted 65m and placed the ball under the posts and her team in the club’s history books.
PREMIERS BACK IN THE GROOVE
The Roosters didn’t drop a game on the way to claiming last year’s Tarsha Gale title, and now they’ve bounded out of the gates determined not to drop the ball.
Ten minutes had passed at Wyong before the Eels finally got possession, but trailing 10-0, the damage had already been done before the Roosters cruised home 24-4 winners.
CREAM RISING TO THE TOP OUT WEST
Wests put the rest of the SG Ball competition on notice, belting a strong Manly side 40-18 at Campbelltown.
In great signs for the club’s pathways program, the Magpies outfit included seven stars from last year’s grand final winning Harold Matthews side.
MAGPIES YOUNG GUNS ARRIVE
The best of Wests’ Harold Matts squad may have stepped up a grade, but the new brigade crushed Manly 38-6 in a seamless transition.
Newcomer Onitoni Large was a stand out in his first appearance, the playmaker scored a try and landed four conversions.
CRONULLA LEAVES IT LATE
Cronulla trailed the Tigers 6-4 shortly after the break in the Harold Matthews, but wrestled back the lead when lock Alex Challenor touched down.
Smelling blood in the water, the Sharks then charged to a comprehensive victory on the back of 20 unanswered points.
SHARKS STRIKE EARLY
In a perfect start to the junior reps season, Cronulla’s SG Ball outfit followed in the footsteps of the under-17s combination to roll the Tigers 42-24.
But rather than leave it late, the Sharkies put the game beyond doubt in the opening 11 minutes, scoring three tries to open an unassailable 18-0 advantage.
FRUIT DOESN’T FALL FAR FROM THE TREE
The Harold Matts Roosters got the chocolates and the Bondi diehards got their fix when Zach Fittler mirrored the efforts of his famous father.
In uncanny scenes reminiscent of premiership winner Brad, the burly lock forward powered off his right-foot before carrying three defenders over the line to score a stunning individual try.
EELS’ LEFT EDGE IN SAFE HANDS
In the SG Ball match of the round, the Eels eclipsed the Roosters 28-22 in a six tries to five thriller.
Cody Parry bagged four on the left wing, with three put on a plate by Richard Penisini. The younger brother of NRL star Will, Richie glides across the turf and with a deft passing game looks destined for a bright future.
ROUND ONE WRAP + GALLERY
FOOTY is finally back.
The NSWRL junior reps season got underway in thrilling fashion with plenty of hard-hitting and fast-paced action over the weekend.
Here’s how round one played out:
BULLDOGS FIND THEIR BITE
They’ve made headlines with their strong recruitment at NRL level, but the next crop of Canterbury-Bankstown juniors showed the future is very bright.
The Bulldogs scored victories in all three grades over the St George Dragons at Belmore Oval to cap off a dream start to the year.
The home side got off to a flyer in the Harold Matthews, scoring the first four tries to open up a 20-0 lead early on.
A double to Finau Latu and 10 minutes in the bin to Mitchell Woods got the Dragons back to within two points, before the Bulldogs were eventually able to close out the contest 32-22.
Jordi Mazzone was the star for Canterbury’s SG Ball outfit, scoring a hat-trick en route to a 26-14 victory.
The visitors started strongest to lead 10-4 early and head into the sheds tied, but the Bulldogs, lead by halfback and captain Iverson Matai, closed the contest out strongest.
It was up to the Tarsha Gale Cup women to provide the most comprehensive scoreline of the day, running out 50-4 winners over their rivals.
In a 10-try romp, the recruitment drive proved a success with a complete team performance over the 60 minutes.
Winger Ebony Raftstrand-Smith and centre Litia Fusi both led the way with doubles in the fixture.
WASTEFUL RABBITOHS LET WARRIORS OFF THE HOOK
The South Sydney Rabbitohs were left to lament two late penalty goal misses as they were downed 10-8 by the New Zealand Warriors in SG Ball action at Redfern Oval.
With no points in the second half, a late hit on five-eighth Leroy Murray gave captain TJ Herring the chance to level the scores up from beside the posts.
From 20m out the dummy half hooked the kick to the left, before getting another chance for redemption from right in front of the posts minutes later on the back of a shoulder charge.
That attempt too was hooked to the left, giving the Warriors the opening round win.
All the points came in the first half, with a flying Tyrone Munro and barnstorming Drew Williams getting across the stripe for the Rabbitohs.
A mix-up at the back for the home side gave Sio Kali an uninterrupted passage to the tryline to put the Warriors in front just before the break, in what would prove to be the last points of the contest.
STEELERS SHOW METTLE ON DAY OF STEEL
The Illawarra Steelers had a successful ‘Day of Steel’ on Sunday as all their teams opened their seasons against the Penrith Panthers at WIN Stadium.
The Harold Matthews Cup side kicked off the day with a try-fest, with the Steelers grabbing a 34-26 victory over their Panthers opposition.
Young star Harry Wililo opened the scoring after just two minutes, while centre Hayden Buchanan crossed the line for a try in both halves.
The Panthers hit late in the first half, with tries from Hokafonu Lemoto, Jacob Kelly and Jaxen Edgar giving the Penrith side a halftime lead.
The Steelers would come back to lead in the second half though, with tries from Tom Kirk, Charles Heidke and Lucas Borg all contributing to the win.
Captain Kade Reed didn’t have his best day off the tee, converting just three of the seven tries scored and preventing the scoreline from being more of a blowout.
The star halfback did cross the line for the last try of the game though and was a strong presence on the field.
It was dominance from the Tarsha Gale side in their season opener, thumping the travelling Panthers 28-0.
Centre Sulieti Ahio opened the scoring in the 8th minute, followed by a try from halfback Sienna Yeo.
Mia-Rose Walsh, who is tipped as one of the stars for this season, lived up the expectation, with the centre crossing for two tries early in the second half.
Gun second-rower Ella Koster also made her way onto the score sheet to wrap up a comprehensive afternoon for the Steelers side.
The Steelers SG Ball side were the only team not able to pick up points in the ‘Day of Steel’, despite a valiant effort against their strong Penrith opponents.
The side went down 14-16, with three tries to each team and just one more failed conversion from the Steelers proving the difference.
Savelio Tamale, Wesley Pring and Kyan Hjaltason were the scorers for the Steelers, but two late Penrith tries from Cooper Ferrari and Luron Patea added to the opener from Luke Hanson and ultimately got the Penrith side the points.
MAGPIES FLY HIGH IN BATTLE OF THE BIRDS
An intercept try in the dying stages by Manly’s Aaliyah Haumono proved the difference at Campbelltown Stadium as the Sea Eagles downed the Wests Tigers 16-12 in the Tarsha Gale Cup.
Trailing 12-10 with three minutes left on the clock, the Sea Eagles five-eighth swooped on a Tigers pass and raced 50m to put the ball under the posts to round out Manly’s first ever victory in a women’s match.
In a frantic second half, Manly winger Taleenza Nelson showed her speed and strength with an astonishing 80m solo effort to give Manly a 10-8 lead. A second half double by winger Havana Simpson put Wests in front, but it wasn’t enough as the Tigers were made to pay for missing all three of their conversion attempts.
Wests were untroubled against Manly, opening their season account with a comfortable 38-6 win in the Harold Matthews.
Centre Heamasi Makasini crossed for a double as the reigning premiers sent a message to the rest of the competition in a landslide seven tries to one rout.
Wests cashed in on an error riddled Sea Eagles to open a 12-0 halftime lead, and with the majority share of possession after the break blew out the score with another five tries.
Wests overcame a torrid first half to race in four second half tries on the way to a comprehensive 40-18 win over Manly in the SG Ball.
Five-eighth Lachlan Galvin opened the scoring for Wests in the third minute before Koby Douglas levelled for Manly four minutes later. Wests regained control following a brace to centre Solomone Saukuru, and they were never headed in the run home after Heath Mason and Heith Pritchard both crossed the stripe shortly after the resumption of play.
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Originally published as All the action and pictures from round one of the NSWRL junior representative season
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