Next generation on show at Koori Knockout, best recent players to star before making it big
Former NRL talent Joe Williams reveals the best players he played with at the Koori Knockout, plus we look at some recent names who featured in the event before making it big.
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Young talents making an impression before hitting the big time is one of the crowning jewels of the Koori Knockout.
With juniors featured across the boys and girls divisions, more players than ever before are getting their chance to shine in the tournament.
Former NRL player, boxer and The Enemy Within mental health motivational speaker Joe Williams is one such player who cut his teeth coming through the tournament.,
A proud Wiradjuri/Wolgalu man, Williams said the sense of community was the biggest reason for the success of the event.
“It’s a big time of year and a great gathering. It’s a generational thing you grow up with,” he said.
“Community is the biggest thing. It’s once or twice a year other than funerals you catch up with people at. There’s different challenges through community and sadly a lot of time catching up is at funerals.
“This is something all year we wait for. It’s a great weekend.”
Before going on to play 49 games of NRL with the Rabbitohs, Bulldogs and Panthers, and win boxing titles, Williams lined up in the Koori Knockout first for the Newcatle Yowies, and later the La Perouse Panthers.
“I’ve never won one, but been beaten in finals three times,” he said.
“With La Perouse there were plenty of young fellas comign through that cut their teeth and turned into good footballers.
“It’s a launching pad for young kids as well. (NRL) Scouts should be at the knockout with the ability of some of those kids.”
Williams rated a former NRL teammate as someone special he played alongside at the KO, along with a couple of local legends.
“Playing inside Owen Craigie, he was something else,” he said.
“Matty Rooke at La Pa used to cut blokes in half, he could take down anyone in Souths Juniors.
“I played a few knockouts with Mudgie Lyons. The old man was always special.”
We look at a few more players who started out at the Koori Knockout before going on to make it big in recent times.
LATRELL MITCHELL
In his debut season with the Sydney Roosters, Mitchell went on to represent the Taree Biripi Sharks as a 19-year-old in 2016. Had a running battle with RAB’s Kieran Vale in a fiery quarter final encounter, with the young five-eighth not backing down. Has since lined up for Walgett Aboriginal Connection, narrowly going down in last year’s grand final to the Newcastle All Blacks.
Before we knew just how explosive the Foxx was, Addo-Carr lined up for Redfern All Blacks in 2015 before making his NRL debut in the next season with the Wests Tigers. In an intense final, Addo-Carr came up with the play of the game, coming up with a steal in the dying seconds and winning his side a penalty to allow Shane Nolan the chance to tie the game up and send it to golden point.
BLAKE TAAFFE
Played a prominent role for La Perouse as a baby-faced 19-year-old in their 2018 grand final against NAB. Since then Taaffe has gone on to play in an NRL grand final with the Rabbitohs in 2021, and is expected to feature regularly in first grade next year after inking a deal with the Canterbury Bulldogs.
JAYDEN SULLIVAN
Was thrown into the deep end as a 16-year-old with La Perouse in 2018, but showed he was more than capable. Came off the bench for the Panthers in their grand final against NAB, before going one better the next year for the South Coast Black Cockatoos. Has now graduated to first grade with the Dragons after making people take notice at a young age.
NICHO HYNES
After making his long-awaited NRL debut in 2019 as a 23-year-old, Hynes featured for runners up Griffith Three Ways later that year. Next year Hynes would burst onto the scene, playing on the bench for Melbourne in the grand final, before winning the Dally M award with the Cronulla Sharks last year. He has since developed into one of the leading role models in the game.
NAKIA DAVIS-WELSH
Nakia Davis-Welsh who played when she was just 14.
A fast fast outside back form Kemspey who played for the Redfern All Blacks.
Since then she has played a starring role for the Jillaroos, NSW in Origin and in the NRLW.
SHAYLEE BENT
Another young star of the NRLW. She has played in the knockout since her teens and is now one of the stalwarts of the women’s game.
A former second-rower for the St George Illawarra Dragonsshe is now with the Titans and has also played State of Origin, Indigenous All Stars and been an Australian 9s rep.
Played in her first Knockout with Newcastle at just 13 years of age against the open women, and that proved the baptism of fire that has propelled the star prop in her future career. A starting prop with Newcastle, Johnston has gone on to represent
WILL SMITH
With 17 games of NRL experience under his belt, Smith used that to help the Newcastle All Blacks to a grand final in 2015. A long-time player with the club, he played at fullback in their 2018 success. Smith has enjoyed a solid first grade career with stints at Penrith, Parramatta and the Gold Coast before coming to the Wests Tigers this season.
SHAQUAI MITCHELL
Formed a formidable trio of Mitchell brothers alongside Latrell and Lionel for Taree in 2016. Shaq was a hard-running front rower that year, and after dropping a stack of weight, went on to realise his NRL dream with the Rabbitohs last year, as well as lining up for the Indigenous All Stars.
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