NSWRL Junior Reps: Power ranking all 18 clubs across Matts, Fiaola, Ball, Gale Cup comps

Coming into the third round of the NSWRL Junior Reps, we deliver our power rankings of where your club is placed and how they’re travelling heading into the weekend.

Canterbury tops the first power rankings of the season Picture: Martin Ollman

Every week we rank all 18 clubs across the four competitions, based on form, trajectory and strength of schedule.

Here are our power rankings of every club heading into the third round of the NSWRL Junior Reps.

1. CANTERBURY BULLDOGS

Combined record: 6-2

It’s hard to imagine, but it looks like their Fiaola and Gale teams have improved from last season. They’ve been phenomenal to start 2025. The male teams have split their two games so far, however both are favoured to take down Balmain (Matts) and New Zealand (Ball).

2. PARRAMATTA EELS

Combined record: 6-1-1

The Eels are flying with six victories from eight starts. The women’s teams are unbeaten and favoured to make it three straight against Manly. Matts and Ball aren’t far off the pace, but will have their work cut out trying to knock over strong Cronulla combinations on Saturday.

3. ILLAWARRA STEELERS

Combined record: 5-0

The only club to remain undefeated through the opening two rounds, albeit they had three byes last weekend. Still, they looked good in Matts, Fiaola and Gale to start the year and SG Ball has been defending extremely well. The female sides take on Illawarra in two mouth-watering clashes.

4. SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

Combined record: 5-3

Incredible turnaround from their Matts and Ball teams to go through the opening two rounds undefeated ahead of a big test against Western Suburbs. Their female teams split their wins against St George ahead of the bye this weekend.

Cronulla has plenty of reason to celebrate at the moment. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

5. CRONULLA SHARKS

Combined record: 5-3

They’ve spread their wins across the board to start the season, with the exception of Harold Matts who are a perfect 2-0. The female teams enjoy a bye this weekend after a pair of big wins, with the males to take on Parramatta in a pair of blockbuster clashes.

6. WESTS TIGERS

Combined record: 3-1

One Fiaola defeat is the only blemish on the Tigers’ record in four starts. Last week, both blew away the Raiders but should find the going much tougher this week at Windsor against Penrith.

7. CENTRAL COAST ROOSTERS

Combined record: 2-1

The defence in their Lisa Fiaola campaign has been impeccable, not conceding a point against two finals teams from last year. They’re looking super strong to start the season. Harold Matts had a late fade out in their opening game but can bounce back against St George.

8. BALMAIN TIGERS

Combined record: 2-2

There’s been a big shift at Balmain with the SG Ball side leading the charge. An unbeaten start to the season has them up and about, and while Harold Matts is still winless, they went awfully close against St George. They face a tough ask against Canterbury while the U19s can go 3-0 against Manly.

9. SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Combined record: 3-1-2

The Tricolours have made a winning start in all three of the club’s grades. Despite a last start draw with Parra, the SG Ball side can extent its unbeaten run against the struggling Dragons. Matts have a bye, while in Tarsha Gale, the under-19s won’t want to underestimate St George.

10. WESTERN SUBURBS MAGPIES

Combined record: 2-2

The Magpies have been a mixed bag. Last year’s grand finalists have made a perfect start in Harold Matts, while the under-19s have paid the price for an avalanche of unforced errors in back-to-back defeats. This weekend promises to be a cracker, when both host the unbeaten Rabbitohs.

11. NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Combined record: 3-5

Have split their games across all divisions except for SG Ball who are still searching for their first win. They weren’t far away against the Bears however. The female teams can bounce back against Canberra, while their male clashes with Penrith are pivotal.

12. NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS

Combined record: 2-2

The reigning Harold Matts champions struck late against the Panthers to keep their perfect record in tact. They have a bye this week, while the under-19s will aim to open their account when they host a Canterbury side chasing back-to-back wins.

13. PENRITH PANTHERS

Combined record: 3-5

After missing the finals in all four grades in 2024, the revitalised Panthers have opened the new season with wins in all comps except Harold Matts. That said, both men’s teams should match up well against Newcastle this week, while the Fiaola and Tarsha sides have a golden opportunity to raise their profile against the Tigers.

14. NORTH SYDNEY BEARS

Combined record: 2-6

The Bears’ two wins are split between Harold Matts and SG Ball. They’ll fancy their chances of doubling down this week when they tackle the winless Storm. Coming off four heavy defeats, the women’s teams will look to regroup with a round three bye.

The Bears are looking for their first win in Tarsha Gale Cup. Picture: Julian Andrews

15. MANLY SEA EAGLES

Combined record: 2-4

Coming off a challenging weekend with three big losses, but the highlight was their Harold Matts side piling on the points late in a big win. It’s shaping as a defining weekend for the Sea Eagles with games against Balmain (SG Ball) and Parramatta (Fiaola/Gale).

16. ST GEORGE DRAGONS

Combined record: 2-6

Saints have flipped the script in 2025. Runaway champs in last season’s SG Ball decider, the under-19s are yet to record a win. In wild scenes, the club secured its first Fiaola Cup win last week, and celebrated alongside a successful Matts combination. All sides meet the Roosters in round three.

17. CANBERRA RAIDERS

Combined record: 2-6

The Raiders have found the going tough in the female divisions, while the Harold Matts are also winless through two games. SG Ball has been outstanding however to knock off two quality opponents, setting up a blockbuster with Illawarra this weekend.

18. MELBOURNE STORM

Combined record: 0-4

Yet to get on the board in 2025, but last weekend’s efforts suggest they aren’t too far away. Narrowly downed by the undefeated Rabbitohs in both Matts and Ball, they’re gearing up for a big road trip against feeder club North Sydney, who are going well.

Originally published as NSWRL Junior Reps: Power ranking all 18 clubs across Matts, Fiaola, Ball, Gale Cup comps