NSWRL Junior Reps: Full wrap, results from round nine of Harold Matts, SG Ball and Tarsha Gale
The final teams of the week for Harold Matthews, SG Ball and Tarsha Gale are here. See who made the cut, plus see who will feature in the first week of the finals, plus every result from round nine.
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HERE are the teams of the week from round nine of the NSWRL junior reps from Harold Matthews, SG Ball and Tarsha Gale Cup.
HAROLD MATTHEWS
1. Connor Votano (Newcastle)
2. Harry Wald (Penrith)
3. Lochie Gray (Newcastle)
4. Harry Hudson (Canberra)
5. Wil Rosenbaum (Newcastle)
6. Bronson Emery (St George)
7. Lorenzo Talataina (Parramatta)
8. Jack Hilliar (Newcastle)
9. Issac Chaker (North Sydney)
10. Heinz Lemoto (Penrith)
11. Samuel Griffin (Canberra)
12. Alex Challenor (Cronulla)
13. Finau Latu (St George)
14. Matthew Humphries (South Sydney)
15. Blake Wardrobe (Cronulla)
16. Jack Attard (Penrith)
17. Danny Johnstone (Penrith)
SG BALL
1. Fletcher Sharpe (Newcastle)
2. Kade Maguire (Sydney Roosters)
3. Te Umuariki Heremia-Tukere (Illawarra)
4. Jonti Morshead-Fieldel (South Sydney)
5. Jirah Liddiard (Penrith)
6. Lachlan Galvin (Wests)
7. Riley Pollard (Penrith)
8. Beau Slade (Newcastle)
9. Owen Pattie (Canberra)
10. Luron Patea (Penrith)
11. Drew Williams (South Sydney)
12. Joseph Roddy (Canberra)
13. Corey Ackers (St George)
14. Tallyn Da Silva (Wests)
15. Richard Penisini (Parramatta)
16. Sosefo Finau (Wests)
17. Kayliss Fatialofa (Warriors)
TARSHA GALE
1. Tia-Jordyn Vasilovski (Cronulla)
2. Lilly McNamara (Newcastle)
3. Lara Cosgrove (Canberra)
4. Ruby Watterson (North Sydney)
5. Charlotte Eather (Canterbury)
6. Leah Ollerton (Newcastle)
7. Lola Fletcher (Canberra)
8. Moanalei Brown (Roosters Indigenous)
9. Imogen Hei (Roosters Indigenous)
10. Latisha Smythe (Canterbury)
11. Eliza Lopamaua (Roosters Indigenous)
12. Noaria Kapua (Canterbury)
13. Ally Bullman (Roosters Indigenous)
14. Shanelle Lyons (South Sydney)
15. Mia Barber (Roosters Indigenous)
16. Tarli Dennis (Canterbury)
17. Tiarna West (Newcastle)
20 TALKING POINTS
THESE are the 20 major talking points from round nine of the Harold Matthews, SG Ball and Tarsha Gale Cup competitions.
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
We’ve learnt throughout the year there is no such thing as a guaranteed result in the junior reps.
The Harold Matts clash between Souths and St George proved just that.
With everything to play for and needing a big result, the Rabbitohs just couldn’t adapt to the conditions as well as the Dragons, who played superb wet weather football, landing a big upset in the process.
COAST BOW OUT WITH CLASS
The Central Coast Roosters were eliminated from the Harold Matts with a 10-point defeat to Parramatta, but they again showed they can hang with the best in the U17s.
They showed a lot of grit during the year and that was again evident on Saturday.
Posting first points in a very swift time frame, they were right their with the finals-bound Eels for the entire contest.
RAIDERS RESPOND UNDER PRESSURE
Make no mistake, there was a very real possibility of the Raiders missing the finals of the Harold Matts when trailing by four to Balmain.
Another try from the Tigers and they were gone, but Canberra managed to hold its composure and settle in the second half, turning the tide back in their favour and advancing.
That nerve when the chips were down will hold them in good stead when football returns after Easter.
SLUGGISH START SINKS STEELERS
It was a winner take all game at Cronulla High School between the Sharks and Steelers, and a hot start proved the difference.
A big break up the middle from Alex Challenor set the tempo early, and Cronulla was able to capitalise with two tries inside 10 minutes.
A late Illawarra fightback wasn’t enough, as they were left on the outside looking in from seventh spot.
FEILDEL COOKS UP RABBITOHS SUCCESS
The addition of Jonti Morshead-Feildel to the centres has been a stroke of genius for the SG Ball Rabbitohs.
After a two-try game against Manly, he backed it up with another great game, setting up a try and using his strength to score one for himself.
The young man has shown plenty over the past fortnight and is definitely one for the future.
MELBOURNE CLICKS LATE
There’s no denying the fact it was a rough start to the season for Melbourne in the SG Ball, but they’ll be happy with how they finished off.
The Storm were able to crack it for a win over Balmain last week, and were competitive throughout against the Eels.
No doubt we’ll see a few faces pop up in Jersey Flegg throughout the year as the junior pathways continue to grow in Victoria.
ILLAWARRA GOES DOWN SWINGING
The odds were stacked against them, but Illawarra gave themselves every hope of advancing to the SG Ball finals in the final round.
They turned in a polished display to take down the Sharks, with Te Umuariki Heremia-Tukere turning in a standout performance in the centres.
He looked unstoppable, and is definitely one for Dragons fans to keep an eye on.
BRICK WALL HOLDS SOLID AT LEICHHARDT
With the SG Ball minor premiership secure, Canberra turned it on in defence to shut-out Balmain and send a warning ahead of the finals.
They turned the Tigers away at every turn, solidifying their place as the best defensive side in the competition.
It was a nice bounce back from their slip against Illawarra, and just reminds everyone they remain the team to beat.
GALVIN MASTERCLASS LIFTS MAGPIES
Wests five-eighth Lachlan Galvin turned it on when his side needed it the most, sending them into the SG Ball finals.
The classy player scored two tries and set up another three on his way to a man of the match performance.
His partnership with Tallyn Da Silva has been a big reason for the Magpies’ success this season, and they’ll be looking for that to continue.
ROOSTERS AT THEIR CLINICAL BEST
The Roosters Indigenous Academy has enjoyed a blemish-free Tarsha Gale season, capping it off in complete dominance at Mascot Oval.
A 52-0 scoreline over the Dragons highlights the ruthlessness they’ve inflicted on teams throughout 2023.
They’ll be most pleased with the efforts of their forwards at the weekend, who all contributed as one.
SATURDAY OF FINAL ROUND DRAMA
Two unfolding situations at Redfern and Kenthurst had huge Tarsha Gale finals ramifications.
A Penrith win over Norths would’ve been enough to see them advance to the post-season, but they couldn’t get the job done over the Bears.
That left the Panthers sweating on a Canberra loss, and they looked good with the Rabbitohs holding the lead inside the final minutes.
That came unstruck as Lola Fletcher scored for the Raiders, sending her team into the finals in dramatic fashion.
BEARS AVOID WOODEN SPOON
It’s been a tough season for North Sydney in the Harold Matts. Heading into the final round the winless Bears needed a win over the Roosters to avoid the wooden spoon.
And that’s exactly what they did. After hitting the front just before halftime, the Bears maintained their 16-12 advantage in a scoreless second half leaving rivals Manly stranded in last place.
KNIGHTS LATE FLURRY SECURES A WEEK OFF
Newcastle finished among four teams locked in second place on 14 points on the Harold Matts ladder.
Thankfully for the Knights, a flurry of late points in their final round 50-6 victory over Manly boosted their differential enough to lock down second spot and a week’s break.
Leading the charge was skipper Connor Votano, who raced across the stripe twice in the closing stages.
PENRITH SEND BULLDOGS TUMBLING
A week’s a long time in junior reps. This time last week Canterbury were at the top of the Matts table and one win shy of the minor premiership.
But it all came crashing down in spectacular fashion against the second placed Panthers at Blacktown. Seven unanswered tries after the break saw Penrith coast to the top of the table, while the 52-6 hiding saw the Bulldogs slump to fourth.
FERGUSON TOP OF THE CHARTS
Ethan Ferguson has been consistent all season for the Knights in the SG Ball. And even though the centre failed to cross the stripe in his side’s win over Manly, his four goals increased his season points tally to 130, the most in the competition.
MAGUIRE HAT-TRICK NOT ENOUGH
Still on the Knights SG Ball, and the final round became a try scoring shootout for bragging rights at the end of the home and away season.
While Ferguson missed out, fullback Fletcher Sharpe’s try saw the duo finish level at the top of the competition with 12 tries each.
But it was a near thing, with Roosters winger Kade Maguire’s hat-trick increasing his season total to 11.
PANTHERS FLYING AHEAD OF SG BALL FINALS
Penrith finished the SG Ball rounds in style with a thumping 42-10 win over Canterbury. It was their fourth win on the trot and eighth of the year in a season where their only blemish occurred against Wests back in round five.
Level on points with the first ranked Raiders, it makes for a thrilling month of finals.
BULLDOGS CLAIM TARSHA GALE MINOR PREMIERSHIP
Canterbury made it eight straight to finish the Tarsha Gale home and away season in top spot.
Rarely tested throughout the season, the Canterbury girls continued their domination with a 36-0 thumping of Parramatta.
But with reigning premiers the Roosters Indigenous Academy also unbeaten, the two are destined to meet during the finals in what promises to be one of the most eagerly anticipated clashes of the junior reps season.
BEARS FINISH SEASON IN STYLE
After a slow start to the season that included several heartbreaking finishes, North Sydney have finished the Tarsha Gale season in style with back-to-back victories.
Coming off last week’s first win over the Tigers, the Bears took on a Penrith side challenging for a finals berth. A try to winger Bella Hunt in the closing minutes rounded out a 14-6 win that saw the Bears jump to a respectable ninth place on the ladder.
KNIGHTS A FINALS SMOKY
Newcastle comfortably accounted for Manly 22-4 to lock down third spot in the Tarsha Gale Cup.
With the unbeaten Roosters and Bulldogs the sides to beat, Newcastle aren’t without a chance. They’ve met both this season, falling just two-points shy of the Bulldogs and 12 short of the Roosters.
ROUND NINE WRAP
THE NSWRL junior reps regular season concluded with a thrilling round nine.
Catch up on all the Harold Matthews, SG Ball and Tarsha Gale Cup action from the weekend as the 18 finalists from all grades were determined.
PENRITH FLEXES MUSCLES ON BULLDOGS
Penrith dropped the hammer on Canterbury in the race for the Harold Matts minor premiership, coming out on top 52-6 in a one-sided affair at HE Laybutt Field.
It came on the back of a surging second half, with the scores tight at 12-6 at halftime.
The Panthers scored seven tries in the second stanza, with eight individuals getting across the stripe in the blowout, knocking the Bulldogs out of top spot and into fourth.
They repeated the feat in SG Ball, coming out on top big 42-10 winners.
With a spot in the top-two on the line, the Panthers fired out of the blocks on the back of some Riley Pollard brilliance, and took a 24-6 lead to the sheds.
That extended in the second half, as they clicked into gear and ran rampant to earn a week off and a deserved spot in the grand final qualifier.
CRONULLA OVERTAKES STEELERS TO FINALS
Cronulla snuck into the Harold Matthews finals with a tense 12-6 victory over Illawarra at Cronulla High School, leapfrogging the Steelers into sixth spot.
The Sharks got the job done early, with tries to Oliver Lester and Blake Wardrobe inside the opening seven minutes.
Drew Langdon hit back for the Steelers late in the first half, before Harry Willio crossed with 12 minutes to play to set up a grandstand finish.
The Sharks held strong however, booking their finals ticket.
Illawarra did everything it could to remain alive in the finals, defeating Cronulla 30-8 in the SG Ball.
A win was needed to keep pressure on the sides above them, and a first-half Wesley Pring double gave them a boost and a 12-8 halftime lead.
Three more tries rounded out the impressive victory, although they were left to ponder what could’ve been, finishing in seventh.
Cronulla rounded out the day with a narrow 10-4 win in the Tarsha Gale Cup, halting the Steelers momentum before the finals.
Tia-Jordyn Vasilovski gave the Sharks a dream start in the fifth minute, before Ella Fisher tied the scores at 4-all not long after the break.
With a draw looming, it was Vasilovski that proved the hero, scoring her double in the 58th minute to end their season on a high.
DRAGONS DENY DESPERATE RABBITOHS
South Sydney needed a big win in their final Harold Matthews game of the season to keep their hopes alive, but a stubborn Dragons denied them a vital two points.
St George came out on top 30-24 at Redfern Oval, with Bronson Emery’s 51st minute try proving the difference between the two sides.
The Dragons led 24-12 before a Rabbitohs fightback saw them tie things up with 13 minutes to play, before their season ended on a disappointing note.
Souths made it back-to-back wins to end the SG Ball season, downing St George 32-24.
Both sides showed attacking flair throughout the first half as the home side held a narrow six-point advantage.
That was before Leroy Murray touched down to stretch that lead out to 30-12 with just 14 minutes to play.
The Dragons fired late to get back to within six, but couldn’t bridge that gap over the concluding stages.
South Sydney’s Tarsha Gale side looked to emulate that feat with successive wins, but fell short 24-22 to Canberra.
Lara Cosgrove helped the visitors to an early 12-4 lead, before the Rabbitohs hit back and took the lead by 22-18 with less than five minutes to play.
That was before Lola Fletcher broke their hearts over the final minutes to steal a late victory, with Cosgrove slotting the winning conversion.
CANBERRA HITS BACK TO ADVANCE TO FINALS
It was a winner take all game in the Harold Matts between Balmain and Canberra, with the Raiders ultimately prevailing 26-16 at Leichhardt Oval.
A tense first half saw the Tigers lead 16-12 at the break, needing three more points to overtake Canberra on the ladder and advance to the finals.
They were stopped short however when the visitors piled on two tries in quick succession midway through the first half to send the green machine to the post-season.
Canberra bounced back from its first defeat of the SG Ball season to down Balmain 28-0.
With the minor premiership on the line, the Raiders grinded out the result with an impressive defensive display, before running away with the result over the final 10 minutes.
The win gave them top spot and a crucial fortnight off.
PARRA FINETUNES BEFORE POST-SEASON
The Eels made some adjustments before their finals run in the men’s grades with solid wins over the Central Coast and Melbourne in the Harold Matts and SG Ball respectively.
The U17s recovered from a horror start, conceding in the opening stages, to come out on top 24-14, with Tyson Sangalang’s late try stopping any hopes of a last-ditch comeback from the Roosters.
Ethan Sanders and Devonte Vaivela both scored doubles as the SG Ball side scored a solid 32-14 win.
The Tarsha Gale Cup between the Eels and Bulldogs was moved to Kellyville from Accor Stadium due to the rain.
The Bulldogs didn’t mind the move, coming out 36-0 victors on the back of a Tarli Dennis final.
With the big win, they secured the minor premiership by just eight points on for and against.
MORE COVERAGE – PREVIOUS ROUNDS
NORTHS, ROOSTERS SHARE THE SPOILS
A scoreless second half proved the tonic for Norths to take their first win of the Harold Matthews season, downing the Roosters 16-12 at Hills Grammar.
The two sides traded blows throughout the first half, with Brady McMillan’s 27th minute try ultimately proving the difference in a hard-fought contest, ensuring the Bears wouldn’t go through the year without a win.
The SG Ball was a different story, with the Roosters coming out on top 58-12.
Needing a win to erase any doubt about their spot in the finals, the visitors came out firing with early tries to hold a 22-0 advantage at the break.
Doubles to Cassius Tia, Cooper Toy and Salesi Foketi put the exclamation mark on a big performance from the Roosters, continuing their scintillating form in the competition.
North Sydney ended their Tarsha Gale Cup season on a winning note, downing Penrith 14-6.
Scores were level at 6-all for much of the contest, before tries in the final 10 minutes to Ruby Watterson and Bella Hunt gave the Bears success.
The loss proved a fatal one for the Panthers, with Canberra’s last-ditch win over the Rabbitohs meaning they finished the year in sixth, eliminating Penrith from the finals.
KNIGHTS TAKE SWEEP OVER RIVALS
Newcastle was simply clinical in securing a top-two Harold Matthews finish with a dominant 50-6 win over Manly at Raymond Terrace.
Connor Votano was brilliant with a hat-trick, with Lochie Gray adding a double in the 10-try romp.
It improved their points differential above that of the Eels to earn a week off in the first round of the finals.
The SG Ball side had to work harder, but came out on top 28-14 to finish the season in third.
The home side trailed 12-0 early on and were down by six at the break, before Newcastle eventually hit back to lead 16-14 coming into the final 10 minutes.
Two late tries to Taj Blackman and Fletcher Sharpe quelled any nerves and securing their sixth win of the season.
That sweep was completed in the Tarsha Gale Cup with a 22-4 win.
The Knights raced in five tries to take care of a gritty Sea Eagles side, giving them third place coming into the finals, however kicking just one conversion throughout the afternoon will be something to work on ahead of the post-season.
MAGPIES GET THE JOB DONE
The equation for Wests was simple coming into their SG Ball clash over in New Zealand – win and advance or lose and go home.
They were able to get the job done, running out 42-10 winners in Pukekohe and taking fifth spot.
The tempo was set early in the contest as they led 20-10 at the halftime break, before quick tries after the break to Lachan Galvin and Tallyn Da Silva ended any hopes of a Warriors resurgence.
ROOSTERS INDIGENOUS FIRE ONCE MORE
The Roosters Indigenous Academy will take plenty of momentum into the finals after a big 52-0 win over St George at Mascot Oval.
They scored six of their 10 tries in the opening half to lead 30-0 at the break in a flex of their strengths.
Ally Bullman capped off a great regular season with a hat-trick, with doubles to Imogen Hei and Eliza Lopamaua as well.
Originally published as NSWRL Junior Reps: Full wrap, results from round nine of Harold Matts, SG Ball and Tarsha Gale
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