The 76 men and boys to watch in the NSWRL West Conference grand finals
The NSWRL West conference grand finals draw a curtain on the season this weekend, and NewsLocal looks at the 76 boys and men to feature in the big games across Sydney.
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RUGBY LEAGUE: The western suburbs of Sydney have long been a nursery for some of the sport’s best talent.
This weekend will showcase the next generation of stars as the NSWRL West Conference grand finals take place.
To celebrate, NewsLocal looks at the 76 players to watch over the next few days.
U13 DIV 1
ARTHUR SUA (ST CHRISTOPHERS)
“Been travelling well this year and leading from the front,” coach John Wilson said.
“Talks and leads, and does his role really well.”
TYLER MUNN and AIDEN WEHBE (ST CHRISTOPHERS)
“Our halves lead us around the field and get us to where we need to be,” Wilson said.
“Tyler is more of an attacking player while Aiden hits hard in defence.”
U13 DIV 2
JAKE SWEID (BANKSTOWN SPORTS)
“Our captain and the most consistent player throughout the team,” coach Ray said.
“Scores hat tricks and makes 50 tackles a game. A motivator at lock and hooker.”
ISSAC GHAZZAOUI (BANKSTOWN SPORTS)
“The flash of the team,” Ray said.
“Has slick hands and is consistent. Defensively is always there at five-eighth.”
JUNIOR PALETI (BANKSTOWN SPORTS)
“The steamroller of the team in the front row,” Ray said.
“Puts on some hits and takes the big hit ups in the middle of the field.”
JEREMIAH ULBERG (CABRAMATTA)
”Has the body of a winger but runs at the line like he’s a prop,” coach Johnny Cooke said.
“He makes valuable metres at every opportunity.”
LEGION WILSON (CABRAMATTA)
“A lock forward with top defence and great line speed,” Cooke said.
“He’s able to take a good hit up as well as light on his feet for changing direction.”
JAYDAN FAITALA SEUALA (CABRAMATTA)
“Plays in the second row and was born for contact,” Cooke said.
“Can gain valuable metres when needed and when he puts a hit in defence it is heard by all who are watching.”
U13 DIV 3
JULIAN NABHAN (PARRAMATTA CITY)
“A halfback that is pretty committed to wanting to try and make Parramatta,” coach Tony Bainou said.
“Has been putting out some nice skill work.”
BRANDON KATTAR (PARRAMATTA CITY)
“A lock. You tell him what to do and he just does it,” Bainou said.
“He’ll defend and run hard for the whole game.”
JACOB HORISH (PARRAMATTA CITY)
“Plays at prop and leads the team forward,” Bainou said.
“If he goes forward, so do they.”
AYDEN LIVPULU-LUCAS (KELLYVILLE)
“Ayden is a superstar scoring a hat-trick last week and controlling the team as captain and playmaker week in week out, always a standout,” manager Nathan Mitchell said.
“Ayden is fast, elusive and has many strings in his bow already, he also does the kicking and leads by example in attack and defence.”
LUCAS HOLLIDAY (KELLYVILLE)
“Lucas is tough and very skilful, he carves defence lines up and breaks through consistently gaining valuable metres and scoring tries game after game,” Mitchell said.
“Lucas possesses all the skills of a halfback and tackles like a prop. Resilient and confident.”
HAYDEN MITCHELL (KELLYVILLE)
“Hayden is tough and rushes up putting big hits on larger boys, inspiring the team,” Mitchell said.
“Hayden is the maestro conducting players around the field and providing a platform for our forwards and giving great service to our backs. His pre game speeches during the finals have inspired this team to give it their all.”
ANSH LAL (KELLYVILLE)
“Ansh is a handful for any defence line with his devastating runs,” Mitchell said.
“He hits like a sledge hammer and has great hands too. His footwork, deceiving speed and pure strength is a nightmare for any defender to deal with. The corner stone of our forward pack.”
U14 DIV 1
ZAIN ALAMEDDINE (WENTWORTHVILLE)
“Our halfback and captain. Creates everything,” coach Eddie Alameddine said.
“All our attack and defence is on the back of him. A great leader and played NSW Schoolboy U15s.”
KHALED KAIROUZ (WENTWORTHVILLE)
“A big, strong centre that has scored about 18 tries this year,” Alameddine said.
“A really damaging ball runner with the ball in hand.”
MARK WILLIAMS (WENTWORTHVILLE)
“A front rower and leader of the forward pack,” Alameddine said.
“Gives us plenty of go forward when we’re in attack.”
U14 DIV 2
PHILLIP LALAGA (CABRAMATTA)
“A prop in first year at the club,” coach Lazarus Mulu said.
“A strong runner and a workhorse in the middle of the field. Has good skills for a big boy.”
JIREH STEWART (CABRAMATTA)
“Like a little nugget in the Brandon Smith mould,” Mulu said.
“Another wworkhorse who is good defensively and has a good head on his shoulders. Knows what to do in terms of working under presure and he where needs to be.”
EDDIE DUNCAN (CABRAMATTA)
“Started as a prop last year and is a fast and strong runner,” Mulu said.
One of the darkhorses that has gone really well this year.”
JOEY (YOUSIF) VAUKATAGNE (BANKSTOWN BULLS)
“A winger who has been with the club four years now,” coach Zahi El Zein said.
“A flyer on the wing and has the footwork to match, leading the team in tries scored and has made a development squad.”
SONNY HEAK (BANKSTOWN BULLS)
“Registered to play footy for the first time three years ago and has put in a lot of effort to improve his skills over the years,” El Zein said.
“This year he made the development squad and plays in the second row.”
JULIUS BROWN (BANKSTOWN BULLS)
“A prop who is excelling in the sport,” El Zein said.
“Has a high football IQ, plays within the spirit of the game, been in the club from under 7s and the made development squad.”
U14 DIV 3
KEVIN BOSCO (WINSTON HILLS)
“Plays fullback and is our highest tryscorer for the season,” coach Mark Byrne said.
“Super quick on his feet.”
PT OLIVETTI (WINSTON HILLS)
“Is a prop for us and although he is big in frame, he has good ball handling skills,” Byrne said.
“Has the capacity to offload balls in tight situations and is also an outstanding defender.”
ANGUS MINTY (WINSTON HILLS)
“Our team captain and leads with talk on and off the field,” Byrne said.
“Is also an exceptional defender.”
JOSHUA VAOGO (MOUNTIES)
“Plays lock and makes big hits in tackles,” coach Dale Burke said.
“Takes the strong carries with the ball.”
JAYDEN TAPUAI (MOUNTIES)
“Is our fullback and puts his body on the line every week in defence,” Burke said.
RILEY COLLISON (MOUNTIES)
“A halfback who is very solid in defence,” Burke said.
“A good playmaker and is also good with the boot.”
U15 DIV 1
ITULA SEVE (ST CHRISTOPHERS)
“In the forwards and our co-captain,” coach Jason Thompson said.
“Been out with a fractured cheekbone after playing for NSW CHS. A big boy with a huge workrate. Damaging with the ball and one of the better forwards in the comp.”
ELIJAH TU’IFUA (ST CHRISTOPHERS)
“Plays five-eighth and is co-captain with Itula,” Thompson said.
“Plays tough, is smart and has a good kicking game.”
ISAAC THOMPSON (ST CHRISTOPHERS)
“He’s one of the most feared players in the competition,” Thompson said.
“Is not a big fella but he can pull off shots, a good ballplayer as well and a smart lock.”
SIMON SISIFA (CHESTER HILL)
“Plays prop forward and he’s basically the head of our engine,” coach Noah Vaine said.
“Our go-forward man and gets over 100m a game.”
RHYS ARGAET (CHESTER HILL)
“Is our dummy half and he’s very quick when running the ball, like a Damien Cook,” Vaine said
“He also gives good service.”
AHMAD HAWAT (CHESTER HILL)
“Plays in the centres and he can create something out of nothing,” Vaine said.
“Is pretty deadly on an edge.”
U15 DIV 2
LUKE TIBERTI (MILPERRA)
“Our captain, halfback and the ultimate competitor,” coach Todd Barr said.
“Steers the team around and gives 110 per cent in everything he does.”
PJ DAPRILLE (MILPERRA)
“A front rower playing up a year,” Barr said.
“Has been one of our best all year and is dominating in the front row.”
EDAN WALLACE (MILPERRA)
“A hooker who has had a good year,” Barr said.
“An elusive dummy half who has very quick footwork and a good eye for detail.”
U15 DIV 3
ZAC PARDEN (GREYSTANES)
“A small-framed halfback but when you watch him play, he cuts anyone in half,” coach Colin Eisenhuth said.
“Defends infield and leads the team around really well.”
PATRICK EISENHUTH (GREYSTANES)
“Plays at lock and does a mountain of work in the middle,” Eisenhuth said.
“Works his backside off in defence and is always doing his job in attack for the team.”
MAIKERA THOMPSON-TETANA (GREYSTANES)
“Very solid at fullback and his cover defence is awesome,” Eisenhuth said.
“is damaging at the back when he gets involved.”
VICTOR SEVE (WENTWORTHVILLE)
“A fullback who is very effective when running the ball,” coach Jaren Anderson said.
“So strong with ball and a capable runner.”
SAVIOUR NAMULAWLU (WENTWORTHVILLE)
“The running five-eighth that every team wants,” Anderson said.
“A terrific rugby league player.”
MURPHY DUNCOMBE (WENTWORTHVILLE)
“Our halfback and captain,” Anderson said.
“The halfback all the other teams in my view want, with a complete game.”
U16 DIV 1
LACHLAN COINAKIS (ROUSE HILL)
“A hooker and our captain who has played with Parramatta and NSW,” coach Paul Coinakis said.
“He’s a great defender, very smart and is having a good crack at it at the moment.”
TYSON SANGLALANG (ROUSE HILL)
“Our lock and a tackling machine,” Coinakis said.
“He always runs hard and gives us plenty of effort. In the Harold Matts side.”
LORENZO TALATAINA (ROUSE HILL)
“A five-eighth who is electric on his feet and in attack,” Coinakis said.
“Also in the Parramatta Harold Matts side.”
SHELDON ABBEY (ST CHRISTOPHERS)
“Captain and a hard working forward who is a great leader for the team,” manager Grant Hanratty said.
MARK GREGORIO (ST CHRISTOPHERS)
“Another one of the team’s hard working forwards,” Hanratty said.
“Is having a great year and probably our leading tryscorer.”
AYMAN MAARBANI (ST CHRISTOPHERS)
“Made the switch from fullback to centre,” Hanratty said.
“Has made the position his own. Strong defensively and equally as good with the ball.”
U16 DIV 2
NOAH BYRNE (MOOREBANK)
“Been with the club since four years old. If he doesn’t make NRL there’s something wrong,” trainer Robyn Graham said.
“Plays at hooker. Has got a football head and very good at what he does. Plays eyes up footy and has scored 34 points in one game this season.”
RON SEGA (MOOREBANK)
“One of our forwards who has come through the club,” Graham said.
“Ron runs extremely hard and make so much ground for us. Plays with plenty of heart and tackles so well.”
FALCON HUNT (MOOREBANK)
“Came to us two years ago after moving here from New Zealand,” Graham said.
“His whole family plays at our club. He plays centre, has plenty of speed and a great step, and tackles like a champion.”
TRAE ALLEN (WINSTON HILLS)
“A talented attacking player,” coach Mark Curtis said.
“Plays at fullback and is very dangerous with the ball every time he touches it.”
KADE CURTIS (WINSTON HILLS)
“Organises the team at halfback and runs the side well,” Curtis said.
“Has a great kicking game.”
WILL HART (WINSTON HILLS)
“Plays in the second row and leads by example as captain,” Curtis said.
“An absolute workhorse in attack and defence.”
U18 DIV 1
SAM TUIVAITI (WENTWORTHVILLE)
“A devastating ball runner and front rower with great vision who knows how to find the try line,” coach Dylan Coom said.
BLAIZE TALAGI (WENTWORTHVILLE)
“Terrifying ball runner in the centres with great awareness,” Coom said.
“His extra efforts in attack are why he is one of the best.”
ZACHARY COOM (WENTWORTHVILLE)
“Mr Consistent and knows how to control a game at halfback,” Coom said.
“A great ballplayer, has a good kicking game and doesn’t stop talking. Leading his team in try assists.”
ARAZ NANVA (ROUSE HILL)
“Dominant from the back on kick returns,” coach Jason Brettle said.
“Is safe as a house under the high ball and strong defensively.”
MATTHEW ARTHUR (ROUSE HILL)
“The captain and leader of the team,” Brettle said.
“An outstanding defender who tops tackle count every week. There’s no better service from dummy half than him. A future NRL prospect.”
MATTHEW NEWLYN (ROUSE HILL)
“Leads the pack with devastating carries and solid defence. Is one to watch in the grand final,” Brettle said.
U18 DIV 2
BILAL EL-YOUSSEF (GREENACRE)
“A fullback who can break tackles and has explosive speed,” coach Ahmed Rustum said.
“Can fend, has good footwork and is our go-to man who has scored plenty of tries.”
JACOB CHMAISSE (GREENACRE)
“A very sound organiser at five-eighth,” Rustum said.
“Always at the line and attacking, and has a good kicking game.”
MOHAMMAD RAJAB (GREENACRE)
“Our hooker and captain. He’s a very shrewd dummy half,” Rustum said.
“Smart around the ruck and good at catching out lazy defenders. A good defender as well.”
JACK BILLETT (WINSTON HILLS)
“A kid who is quite unassuming off the field, but when it comes to on it, he has a great all-round game in the centres,” coach Brian Lomas said.
“Has a great defensive technique, not afraid to but his body on the line and is lightning fast.”
LOUKA SOLDATOS (WINSTON HILLS)
“Plays in the front row and is a powerfully built forward,” Lomas said.
“Doesn’t know any other way except going forward. Is great in both attack and defence, and plays a lot of minutes. Always rolls his sleeves up.”
KALEB LOMAS (WINSTON HILLS)
“Our lock and captain who really leads by example,” Lomas said.
“Is good for 50-60 tackles and 15 or 20 hit ups each game. Ties the middle together and works his backside off. Only had about five minutes off this year.”
U20
DARCY BRETTLE (ROUSE HILL)
“Captain of the Rhinos and the main attacking threat. Is very quick with a superb passing game he will consistently ask questions of the defence and takes on the line at every opportunity,” coach Steve Ghosn said.
“The Rhinos top point scorer who’s goal kicking and all-round kicking game will be crucial in the grand final.”
DAMIAN NATI (ROUSE HILL)
“Off the back of a two try performance in the major semi final, Damian is critical to Rhinos chances of taking out the big one,” Ghosn said.
“A powerful five-eighth with a strong running game, has towering bombs that will test the opposition back three and will be a player to watch.”
CHRISTIAN ABAL (ROUSE HILL)
“Elusive dummy half with a great passing game and the ability to get his team on the front foot,” Ghosn said.
“His darts from dummy half will test the opposition and get them rolling up field.
Defensively strong who will tackle all day.”
JARVIS LEAFA (MOUNTIES)
“The captain and the leader of the team,” coach Alex Miller said
“Plays in the middle edge and is a pretty versatile player.”
TUTONU WRIGHT (MOUNTIES)
“He’s a freak in a sense and an absolute gun in the centres,” Miller said.
“He’s hard to handle, quick and fast out wide.”
BRAYDEN OTTMANN (MOUNTIES)
“Our lock and the brain’s trust,” Miller said.
“Gets us moving around the park. Everyone jumps on the back of him. A leader.”
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