Rising stars: Every team’s Rd 9 MVP from Tarsha Gale, SG Ball, Harold Matts Cup

The finals make-up has been decided in the NSWRL junior reps program, but before we hit the business end of the season, the Daily Telegraph reveals which players finished it with a BANG in Round 9. 

The finals make-up for the NSWRL junior representative programs have been decided after a thrilling final round of action.  

But before we enter the exciting post-season, there were individual performances that deserve recognition in the final round. 

A group of players were crucial to earning their team a shot at the finals, while other finished the year in the best fashion. 

The Daily Telegraph’s scouts were out across Sydney's suburban grounds, taking notes on which players took the mantle for best on ground in Round 9. 

SCROLL DOWN TO FIND PREVIOUS ROUNDS’ MVPs AND CATCH UP ON OUR LIVE STREAMS THIS SEASON

The weekly MVPs list is part of our commitment to the developing players which includes a season-long commitment to stream the match of the round from the Tarsha Gale Cup, Harold Matts Cup and SG Ball Cup.

We have made sure to compile a list of the MVPs from every team across the weekend, and it includes a wide array of positions, styles and strike power.

SG BALL CUP (Under-19s)

FINNLEY NEILSEN

Balmain Tigers

Balmain finished the regular season in third after an at times nervy win over Manly.

Finnley Neilsen was a pivotal player for the Tigers with the no.13 holding things together in the middle of the park.

CALAB EDWARDS

Canberra Raiders

The Raiders missed out on the finals by two competition points, but they were able to end the season with a 32 to 26 win against Parramatta. 

Halfback Calab Edwards was on song for the Green Machine, steering his side around the park and scoring a four-pointer for himself.

LUKE SMITH

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

The Bulldogs were fortunate to hold on to their finals spot after losing by two points against the Sharks (a defeat of six points or more would have seen the two switch positions).

No.17 Luke Smith came into the starting side and was a rock at lock forward.

KRISTIAN DIXON

Cronulla Sharks

Cronulla were left heartbroken despite beating the Bulldogs 26 to 24 with the Sharks finishing behind the six-placed Dogs due to a four-point inferior differential.

Kristian Dixon had a solid game on the wing for the Shire boys, scoring a try and being a willing starter of sets.

TOBY COUCHMAN

Illawarra Steelers

Illawarra Steelers SG Ball Cup forward Toby Couchman. Illawarra Steelers 34 Victoria Thunderbolts 18. February 12, 2022 at Collegians Sporting Complex, Wollongong. Picture: Dylan Arvela

Illawarra secured a spot in the finals with a 32 to 22 win against the Bears at North Sydney Oval. 

Hard-running forward Toby Couchman picked up player of the match honours, with the no.10 laying a solid platform for his team to build on.

JONATHAN CHAN

Manly Sea Eagles

Manly had an agonising end to the season, going down 26 to 40 against Balmain in a game where a defeat by fewer than eight points would have seen them play finals football.

Nonetheless, Jonathan Chan was strong for the Sea Eagles with the no.13 getting through plenty of work with and without the ball.

NOAH NAILAGOLIVA

Newcastle Knights

The Knights snared a top-two finished in a straight shootout with the Panthers, beating them 32 to 18 in Maitland.

Hooker Noah Nailagoliva was outstanding without the ball and deadly with it, scoring two tries for the Novocastrians.

KOBE LEPUA

North Sydney Bears

North Sydney forward Kobe Lepua finished the regular season in typical fashion, with several barnstorming carries. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The Bears ended the season in 13th after a 10-point defeat at the hands of the Steelers.

Winger Kobe Lepua impressed for North Sydney with a couple of tries and some strong kick returns.

ARTHUR MILLER-STEPHEN

Parramatta Eels

Parramatta’s year was rounded out with a 32 to 26 defeat against the Raiders.

Arthur Miller-Stephen was impressive in the no.1 jersey for the Eels, with the fullback chiming in well in attack.

Eels fullback Arthur Miller-Stephen (left) was a product of the Mackay Cutters junior grades along with fellow NRL prospect Henri Stocks.

ANGELIS HOTERE-PAPALII

Penrith Panthers

Penrith fell just short of finishing in the top two after losing 32 to 18 against the Knights.

Angelis Hotere-Papalii got on the score sheet with a second half try, but it was his strong carries and solid defence which impressed his coaches.

TOM FLETCHER

South Sydney Rabbitohs

St Gregory's College product Thomas Fletcher has shown plenty of ability for the South Sydney SG Ball side this season. Picture: David Swift

The Rabbitohs ended their season with a narrow win south of the border, beating the Thunderbolts 26 to 24.

Second rower Tom Fletcher put in with and without the ball and was rewarded for his efforts with a four-pointer.

NICHOLAS TSOUGRANIS

St George Dragons

Nicholas Tsougranis was a warhorse for the Saints in a trying afternoon against the Roosters.

The second rower got through plenty of work, but he couldn’t stop Easts running out 40 to 6 winners.

MICHAEL ABDOW

Sydney Roosters

The Roosters grabbed the minor premiership with a big win against St George with a handful of players putting their hand up for MVP honours.

Second rower Michael Abdow got his coach’s commendation for a powerful performance with the no.12 making life difficult for the Dragons opponents.

SULIASI PRESCOTT

Victoria Thunderbolts

The Thunderbolts lost by two points late on in the final game of the season against South Sydney.

Suliasi Prescott was in awesome form around the ruck with the no.9 scoring a hattrick.

HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP (under-17s)

LIPINI ATA

Balmain Tigers

Lipina Ata helped lay the platform for Balmain to finish their season on a high with a eight-point victory over Manly.

The Tigers front rower played a big 50 minutes and was rewarded for his efforts with his side’s last try.

MATTHAIS TOMULI-AH-KUOI

Canberra Raiders

Canberra Raiders Harold Matthews Cup player Mathias Tomuli-Ah-Kuoi. Saturday, February 5, 2022. Picture: Raiders Media

Canberra’s impressive front rower Mathias Tomuli-Ah-Kuoi returned from a knee injury with a solid 40 minutes against Parramatta.

The barnstorming no.10 scored the second try of the afternoon in a 10-point loss.

SIONE LOLOHEA

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Sione Lolohea scored the first and only try for the Bulldogs as the side lost their final game of the season 30 to 8 against Cronulla.

Beyond the try, the second rower had a busy day, with and without the ball.

JAKE ELLIOTT

Central Coast Roosters

Central Coast finished the season with a 24-all draw against the Bunnies in Wyong.

Halfback Jake Elliott, who has been in good form in the second half of the season, steered his side around well and also landed the almost-match-winning try.

CHEVY STEWART

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Cronulla's Chevy Stewart takes a shot at goal in an earlier Harold Matthews Cup clash. Picture / Monique Harmer

The Sharks finished the regular season off with a comprehensive 30 to 8 win over the Bulldogs with skipper Chevy Stewart showing his class.

Stewart was involved in everything for the Sharks as the light-footed no.1 bagged a hattrick and kicked five from five with the boot.

TOBY RUMBLE

Illawarra Steelers

The Steelers ended 2022 with a 20 to 20 draw against the Bears at North Sydney Oval.

Illawarra were in a commanding position at the break thanks to two tries from n.5 Toby Rumble.

THOMAS KLEM

Manly Sea Eagles

Manly's hard-running forward Thomas Klem. Picture: Gaye Gerard / Daily Telegraph

Manly finished the season in ninth after going down to the Tigers 24 to 16 at Cronulla High School.

Thomas Klem was the player of the match for the Sea Eagles with the centre keen to get his hands on the ball. 

He also scored his side’s first try as they tried to kickstart a second-half comeback.

JARED WILLIAMS

Newcastle Knights

Newcastle’s season was rounded out with a defeat to the high-flying Panthers in Maitland.

Front rower Jarred Williams was the Novocastrian’s standout, putting in a mammoth 60-minute shift. Williams also scored his side’s last try of the season.

THOMAS EPERE

North Sydney Bears

Thomas Epere finished his strong season with a fine performance in the Bears 20-all draw with the Illawarra Steelers.

The front rower put in busy 40 minutes of footy and bagged his side’s last try of the year.

MATT ARTHUR

Parramatta Eels

Eels dummy-half Matt Arthur was emphatic in the final round. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Newscorp)

The Eels head into the finals on the back of a solid 26 to 16 win against the Raiders.

Dummy half Matt Arthur put into a committed performance on both sides of the play the ball.

RILEY POLLARD

Penrith Panthers

Panthers five-eighth Riley Pollard was a cut above in his side’s 42 to 16 win against the Knights.

The Penrith playmakers was decisive in attack, scored a try and kicked seven from seven.

BRAETHEN BILLICH

South Sydney Rabbitohs

The Bunnies season came to an end with a last-minute draw against the Central Coast Roosters.

Braethan Bilich was in everything for Souths, the fullback scoring a second-half try and chiming in at crucial stages in attack and defence.

FINAU LATU

St George Dragons

It was a tough final match of the season for the Dragons with the injury-hit side losing 54 to 6 against the Roosters.

No.13 Finau Latu can hold his head up, however, with the forward getting through a mountain of work in his two stints on the park.

COOPER TOY

Sydney Roosters

Sydney Roosters SG Ball centre Cooper Toy after scoring a hattrick in his side’s 54-6 win over St George Dragons at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium. Saturday, April 9, 2022. Picture: Dylan Arvela

Cooper Toy was electric as Easts racked up a 48-point win against the Dragons to secure second spot.

Toy left Dragons in his wake as he kept busting in behind their defence with the blazing centre finishing the match with a hattrick.

TARSHA GALE CUP

ALLANA DUMMETT

Canberra Raiders

Canberra didn’t end their season the way they might have liked to, losing to the Eels by 52 points. 

But skipper Alanna Dummett was solid for the Tigers with the skipper putting in a strong 60 minutes in the centres.

KIRSTY SANT

Cronulla Sharks

Kirsty Sant made a huge impact for Cronulla despite her side losing to Tigers 22-14. The front rower laid a solid foundation for her side, leading the Sharks in both attack and defence for what was their final game of the season.

SALMA NOUR

Illawarra Steelers

Illawarra Steelers captain Salma Nour will lead the charge in their Tarsha Gale Cup campaign.

Steelers captain Salma Nour earnt her fourth MVP for the season, with another outstanding performance for the red and white. 

The athletic hooker quickly took control of the game and crossed over for a hat trick in the 43rd minute of the game to guide the team to a pleasing 28 to 14 victory.

YASMINE BAKER 

Newcastle Knights

Despite the tough 50-4 loss, Yasmine Baker displayed a standout performance against the Knights on Saturday.

The dynamic five-eighth, continuously fronted up in both attack and defence in the beaten side. Unfortunately for Penrith, their round nine loss was their last game for the season.

SIENNA WILLIAMS

North Sydney Bears

Bears halfback and skipper Sienna Williams racked up her fourth MVP for the season, with another outstanding performance for North Sydney. 

The no.7 worked tirelessly in defence and attack to try and keep the Bears in the game. Racking up 27 tackles, setting up two tries and having her hand in the third, kicking a goal and two line break assists. There’s not much the stallion halfback can’t do.

JACINTA TUI 

Parramatta Eels

In their final game of the season, Parramatta put on a clinic with centre Jacinta Tui, leading her troops from the backline to a 52 to 0 win against Canberra.

The blue and gold centre was Parramatta’s most valuable player in their final game of the season, with her performance featuring a number of gutsy runs out of the back line.

Racking 145 metres over eleven runs, Tui was pivotal in moving Parramatta down the field with her continuous strong carries.

KAHLIAH BROWN

Penrith Panthers 

After an encouraging win against the Bulldogs, the Panthers were torn apart by finals contenders Newcastle.

Centre Kahliah Brown putting in a hearty performance and was rewarded with her side’s only try of the match.

OTESA PULE

Roosters Indigenous Academy

Otesa Pule finished the season in dominant fashion to ensure the Roosters Indigenous Academy finished atop the Tarsha Gale Cup ladder. Photo: Tim Pascoe

The Roosters Indigenous Academy topped off their minor premiership with a strong win over the Dragons - the side who beat them in last year's grand final.

Otese Pule was outstanding with the second rower powering through St George on countless occasions and landing herself a hattrick.

COURAGEOUS AFOA

St George Dragons

Courageous Afoa lived up to her name with a determined effort at hooker despite wearing the no.3. Afoa was busy for the full 60 minutes for the Dragons, but it wasn't enough as they were overrun by Easts in the second half.

Courageous Afoa of the Dragons is tacked by Taylor Charman of the Sharks during the Round 1 Tarsha Gale Cup match between Cronulla Sharks and St George Illawarra Dragons at PointsBet Stadium in Sydney on February 5, 2022 (Photo by Jeremy Ng / Newscorp

KATIE EDWARDS 

Wests Tigers

In her first game running off the bench, no.6 Edwards demanded the attention of the Tigers Tarsha Gale coach.

Running on into the second row in the 16th minute of the game, Edwards was constantly asking questions of the Sharks defence, crossing the line for a four-pointer and converting a try in the second half.

ROUND 1

SG BALL CUP

Vaka Aho (Tigers), Stan Iongi (Raiders), Joash Papalii (Bulldogs), Kobie Wilson (Sharks), Jack Bostock (Steelers), Charlie Thompson (Sea Eagles), Paul Bryan (Knights), Jordan Dickson (Bears), Saxon Pryke (Eels), Harry Hassett (Panthers), Louis Grossemy (Rabbitohs),

Tyler Moriarty (Roosters), Lene Feterika (Thunderbolts), Herman Tofaeono (Magpies)

HAROLD MATTS

Patrick Young (Tigers), Mathias Tomuli-ah-kuoi (Raiders), Mitchell Woods (Bulldogs), Brodie Moore (CC Roosters), Jasper Catton (Sharks), Ramses Munro (Steelers), Mitchell Taotua (Sea Eagles), Connor Votano (Knights), Brooklyn Malietoa (Bears), Michael Gabrael (Eels), Kaydden Hoad (Panthers), Daniel Fetaiaki Lua (Rabbitohs), Blake Steep (Roosters), Will Craig (Magpies)

TARSHA GALE CUP

Roxy Horne (Raiders), Elisa Niki (Bulldogs), Sienna Stewart (Sharks), Salma Nour (Steelers), Mercydes Metcalf (Knights), Sienna Williams (Bears), Ashlee Pottinger (Eels), Linae Williams (Panthers), Yilara Widders (Rabbitohs), Stella Tijou (Dragons), Milly Lupo (Roosters), Eliza Siilata (Tigers)

ROUND 2

SG BALL CUP

Cayne Nicholas (Tigers), Caleb Edwards (Raiders), Josese Lanyon (Bulldogs), Lachlan Crouch (Sharks), Trey Barlow (Steelers), Paul Bryan (Knights), Simon Pati (Bears), Cody Parry (Eels), Billy Scott (Panthers), TJ Herring (Rabbitohs), Matthew Alhazim (Dragons), Josh Wong (Roosters), Anisi Salani (Thunderbolts), Justin Matamua (Magpies)

HAROLD MATTS

Cameron Kanaan (Tigers), Noah Martin (Raiders), Mitchell Woods (Bulldogs), Brodie Moore (CC Roosters), Jai Davies (Sharks), Daniel Meafou (Steelers), Cody Hopwood (Knights), Malakye Enasio (Bears), Michael Gabrael (Eels), Billy Thompson (Panthers), Daniel Wright (Rabbitohs), Pat O’Connor (Dragons), De La Salle Va’a (Roosters), Jordan Miller (Magpies)

TARSHA GALE CUP

Georgia Willey (Raiders), Nanise Vakacavu (Bulldogs), Maddie Dodson (Sharks), Taimani Kolomaka (Steelers), Lexi Beagan (Knights), Sienna Williams (Bears), Petalina Atoa (Eels),

Otile Manakofua (Panthers), Avalon Pallia (Rabbitohs), Luisa Yaranamua (Dragons), Zoe Cass (Roosters), Eliza Siilata (Tigers)

ROUND 3

SG BALL CUP

Tony Sukker (Tigers), Mitchell Prest (Raiders), Luke Smith (Bulldogs), Travis Barrett-Hancock (Steelers), Tainiu Quiroz-Mapusua (Sea Eagles), Myles Martin (Knights), Arthur Miller-Stephen (Eels), Luke Hanson (Panthers), Braydon Jang (Rabbitohs), Nicholas Tsougranis (Dragons), Josiah-Ekkehard Neli (Thunderbolts), Tristyn Ball (Magpies)

HAROLD MATTS

Aiden Harb (Tigers), Xavier Cacciotti (Raiders), Fanafou Seve (Bulldogs), Noah Hill (CC Roosters), Palu Tausala (Steelers), Nepote Faufa (Sea Eagles), Fletcher Thompson (Knights), Kobi Hurford (Eels), Connor Vardanega (Panthers), Lennox Risati (Rabbitohs), Cyrus Stanley-Traill (Dragons), James Folaumoetui (Magpies)

TARSHA GALE CUP

Makayla Morris (Raiders), Monalisa Soliola (Bulldogs), Tayla Curtis (Sharks), Annabel McDonald (Steelers), Jesse Southwell (Knights), Petesa Lio (Eels), Yasmine Baker (Panthers), Kasey Taffe (Rabbitohs), Lailani Wilson (Roosters), Shelby Muir (Tigers)

ROUND 4

SG BALL CUP

Cayne Nicholas (Balmain Tigers), Lachlan Crouch (Cronulla Sharks), Jack Bostock (Illawarra Steelers), Jonathan Chan (Manly Sea Eagles), Myles Martin (Newcastle Knights), Darcy Brettle (North Sydney Bears), Liam Ison (Penrith Panthers), Terrell Kalo Kalo (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Matthew Alhazim (St George Dragons), Cassius Tia (Sydney Roosters), Josiah-Ekkehard Neli (Victorian Thunderbolts)

HAROLD MATTS

Cameron Kanaan (Balmain Tigers), Riley Burke (Central Coast Roosters), Ashton Simmonds (Cronulla Sharks), James Walsh (Illawarra Steelers), Simione Laiafi (Manly Sea Eagles), Cody Hopwood (Newcastle Knights), Malakye Enasio (North Sydney Bears), Wilson De Courcey (Penrith Panthers), Joseph Teapua (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Shadi Hammoud (St George Dragons)

TARSHA GALE CUP

Tikirah-Ann Douglas (Canberra Raiders), Bree Stone (Canterbury Bulldogs), Chloe Boston (Sharks), Lara George (North Sydney Bears), Jada Taylor (Roosters Indigenous Academy), Kasey Taafe (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Erana Reti and Rayven-Jodeci Boyce (St George Dragons), Folau Vaki (Wests Tigers)

ROUND 5

NA - Round washed out.

ROUND 6

SG BALL CUP

Jordan Roumanous (Balmain Tigers), Stan Iongi (Canberra Raiders), Fahmy Toilalo (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Salesi Ataata (Cronulla Sharks), Tobias Miller (Illawarra Steelers), Dylan Coutts (Manly Sea Eagles), Oryn Keeley (Newcastle Knights), Christian Able (North Sydney Bears), Nicholas Lenaz (Parramatta Eels), Carson Kaho (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Tyree Bowman (St George Dragons), Max McCathie (Sydney Roosters), Jerry Musu (Victoria Thunderbolts), Kienan Tempest (Western Suburbs Magpies)

HAROLD MATTS

Keenan Lawandos (Balmain Tigers), Samuel Gash (Canberra Raiders), Bailey Myers (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Zac Gillett (Central Coast Roosters), Max McCarthy (Cronulla Sharks), Clay Baldock (Illawarra Steelers), Rene Ragon (Manly Sea Eagles), Cody Hopwood (Newcastle Knights), Thomas Epere (North Sydney Bears), Tyrese Lokeni (Parramatta Eels), Daniel Lua (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Corey Ackers (St George Dragons), Toby Rodwell (Sydney Roosters), Jeremiah Leatigaga (Western Suburbs Magpies).

TARSHA GALE CUP

Georgia Willey (Canberra Raiders), Monique Najjar (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Ruby-Jean Kennard (Parramatta Eels), Taytana Ifopo (Penrith Panthers), Lara George (North Sydney Bears), Luti Maile (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Nesia Benn (St George Dragons), Losana Lutu (Wests Tigers)

ROUND 7

SG BALL CUP

Corey Lewis (Canberra Raiders), Jarvis Leafa (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Chaz Jarvis (Cronulla Sharks), Caleb Navale (Manly Sea Eagles), Christian Able (North Sydney Bears), Saxon Pryke (Parramatta Eels), Jakeb Vailalo (Penrith Panthers, Keanu Wright-Dunrobin (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Nick Quinn (St George Dragons), Lafi Tuinauvai (Sydney Roosters), Jerry Musu (Victoria Thunderbolts), Bailey Hodgson (Western Suburbs Magpies)

HAROLD MATTS

Samuel Gash (Canberra Raiders), Logan Spinks (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Riley Burke (Central Coast Roosters), Chevy Stewart (Cronulla Sharks), Simione Lafai (Manly Sea Eagles), Thomas Epere (North Sydney Bears), Matt Arthur (Parramatta Eels), Riley Pollard (Penrith Panthers), Braethen Bilich (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Shadi Hammoud (St George Dragons), Cooper Toy (Sydney Roosters), James Folaumoetui (Western Suburbs Magpies).

TARSHA GALE CUP

Roxy Horne (Canberra Raiders), Nella Lima (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Angie Tucker (Cronulla Sharks), McKenzie Lear (Illawarra Steelers), Rosemarie Beckett (Parramatta Eels), Sienna Williams (North Sydney Bears), Tayla Montgomery (Roosters Indigenous Academy), Indianna Killick (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

ROUND 8

SG BALL CUP

Cathane Hill (Balmain Tigers), Kylan Mafoa (Canberra Raiders), Josese Lanyon (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Siteni Toukamo (Cronulla Sharks), Trey Barlow (Illawarra Steelers), Samuela Fainu (Manly Sea Eagles), Fletcher Sharpe (Newcastle Knights), Owen Flaherty (North Sydney Bears), Charlie Guymer (Parramatta Eels), Liam Ison (Penrith Panthers), Ethan Arena (St George Dragons), Ethan Strange (Sydney Roosters), Josiah-Ekkehard Neli (Victoria Thunderbolts), Bailey Hodgson (Western Suburbs Magpies)

HAROLD MATTS

Keenan Lawandos (Balmain Tigers), Noah Marcantonio (Canberra Raiders), Fanafou Seve (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Jake Elliot (Central Coast Roosters), Max McCarthy (Cronulla Sharks), Tom Kirk (Illawarra Steelers), Jake Fulton (Manly Sea Eagles), Jared Williams (Newcastle Knights), Nicholas Ashdown (North Sydney Bears), Mohamed Alhemeddine (Parramatta Eels), Wilson De Courcey (Penrith Panthers), Corey Ackers (St George Dragons), Jackson De Lisle (Sydney Roosters), Will Craig (Western Suburbs Magpies)

TARSHA GALE CUP

Georgia Willey (Canberra Raiders), Leela Ma Chong (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Reuben Cherrington (Cronulla Sharks), Salma Nour (Illawarra Steelers), Ruby-Jean Kennard (Parramatta Eels), Toa Taufa (North Sydney Bears), Taytana Ifopo (Penrith Panthers), Ally Bullman (Roosters Indigenous Academy), Madison Mulhall (St George Dragons), Losana Lutu (Wests Tigers)