Club Footy

Plenty of fine local talent in Manly

by
seaeaglesmedia
09/02/2024

Plenty of fine local talent in Manly Development team (Photo - David MacLean (PBS Sportspics))

Plenty of fine local talent in Manly

Author : Wayne Cousins

Plenty of fine local talent in Manly Development team

The heavy focus on promoting talented young rugby league players from the Manly Warringah District Junior Rugby League is again evident in this year’s Sea Eagles Development squad.

The U16s squad, made up of players from across the Manly JRL, features 23 local juniors.

Matt Orford returns as the Sea Eagles Coach after taking the Sea Eagles development team to an undefeated season last year.

Proud locals…the Sea Eagles U16s Development team has 23 players from the Manly District Junior Rugby League ©David MacLean (PBS Sportspics)

Orford played 109 first grade games for Manly and was captain of the club’s 2008 premiership winning team that beat Melbourne Storm 40-0 in the Grand Final.

Former 2011 premiership winning Sea Eagles player Jamie Buhrer is an Assistant Coach.

Orford said the squad’s sheer ability and willingness to learn had impressed him.

“What stood out most significantly during the pre-season was the mateship these players have formed in such a short space of time,” Orford said.

“They are very determined to do well and they are a hardworking group with great sportsmanship. You can see how motivated they are to get a positive result.”

Orford said he was enjoying the opportunity to develop the players’ skills.

“I want to further develop and install the fundamentals of our game in them,” he added.

“It is not only to improve their skills and performance but to also build their confidence and character as young men.”

The Sea Eagles play St George Dragons at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah, on Saturday, February 10, at 9am, in the first of four games this season.

Sea Eagles Development Squad

Aiden Cameron (Narrabeen Sharks)
Ash McClean (Narraweena Hawks)
Brodie Rota (Narraweena Hawks)
Dylan King (Narrabeen Sharks)
Hunter Chan (NS Brothers)
Jayden Richards (Narrabeen Sharks)
Kai Brennan (NS Brothers)
Kobe Morris (Narraweena Hawks)
Matthew Mendez (Narraweena Hawks)
Max Elkins (Narraweena Hawks)
Manu Elliot (Manly Brothers)
Max Henderson (Narrabeen Sharks)
Max Prykiel (NS Brothers)
Mitch Callaghan (Harbord United Devils)
Ofa Latu (Narraweena Hawks)
Noah Lawton (Narraweena Hawks)
Oscar Crotty (Narraweena Hawks)
Owen Bamford (Manly Brothers)
Ryan Grigorian (Harbord United Devils)
Saxon Gaw (Narraweena Hawks)
Sifa Oldfield (Narraweena Hawks)
Sonny Collela (Manly Brothers)
Sonny Wilcock (Narrabeen Sharks)
Tom Longland (Harbord United Devils)
Vaughn Kearney (Narraweena Hawks)
Billy Miller (Harbord United Devils)

Manly Development Draw

Round Date Opposition Venue Time
1 Saturday, February 10 St George Dragons Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah 9am
2 Saturday, February 17 South Sydney Rabbitohs Redfern Oval 9.45am
3 Saturday, March 9 Parramatta Eels 4 Pines Park, Brookvale 11am
4 Saturday, March 23 North Sydney Bears 4 Pines Park, Brookvale 11.30am