SG Ball Cup season preview

SG Ball Cup season preview

Author's : Sean Teuma, Katrina May, Jason Hosken and Kevin Merrigan NewsCorp Sport

SG Ball Cup season preview: Every club profiled ahead of the 2023 NSWRL junior reps season

Some of the biggest young stars in the game are set to feature as the SG Ball Cup season gets underway once again. NewsCorp & OurFootyTeamcontinues its preview of all teams with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Watch the replay of the NSWRL finals – Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers (SG Ball Cup).

Pitting the best U19s talent in Australia against each other, the competition has a long history of breeding future first graders, and this year is set to be no different.

The best of NSW local rugby league

Penrith’s success was one of many for the club last year, but there are plenty of sides hot on their tails, including a Western Suburbs side calling up multiple players from their dominant Harold Matthews Cup premiership in 2022.

We’ll progressively preview all 16 clubs competing this year, continuing with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

Captain: Jye Gray

Coach: John Sutton

Players to watch: “Jye Gray came down from Queensland.

He won the Mal Meninga Cup player of the year, and he’s super quick and good with the ball.

Tyrone Munro had a pre-season with first grade and is super talented.

He’s tall and rangy, and scored four tries on the weekend on the wing.

Thomas Fletcher is a second rower who also had a pre-season with first grade.

He’s a big fella who runs hard and is a good defender.

He’s put on a lot of size and we expect good things from him.”

Surprise packet:

“Dane Towns has really impressed me with his skill.

We have a few that can play fullback but we’ve given him the nod.

He is silky at the back, can set up tries and score them himself.

He’s come from the clouds to claim that number one spot.”

Why they will be competitive:

“Having a few of the boys there from last year helps.

It wasn’t such a good year and we were disappointed.

This year we’ve bought really well with a few players from Queensland coming into the squad.

I think we have a good balance with forwards going forward and backs that can score from anywhere.

If we can link it all up I think we’re in for a good year.”

Last season: 10th

Lyhkan King Tongia will join the Steelers in 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

ILLAWARRA STEELERS

Captain: TBA

Coach: Russ Aitken

Players to watch: According to Steelers officials, Dylan Egan is a name to be remembered.

A no-nonsense Gerringong back-rower, Egan enters the season in top-top shape following an impressive NRL pre-season.

Look for the Steelers to flourish on the back of his physicality and competitiveness. Lyhkan King-Togia was lured to the Dragons from the regional Queensland town of Dalby.

Listed to join next season’s NRL training squad, the livewire half is expected to light up the competition with a healthy mix of skill and pace.

Monster prop Jett Lui has excelled during his debut NRL pre-season.

With a dominating physical presence and professionalism, the Leeton junior is tipped to climb the Dragons ranks.

Surprise packet:

Already destined for higher honours, Kyan Hjaltason is a crafty and scheming dummy half who asks plenty of questions around the ruck.

A genuine surprise packet, the darting hooker will be one to keep an eye on as the Steelers’ big men march up-field.

Why they will be competitive: It’s the first year Russell has worked with these boys, but it’s been an impressive pre-season and he is liking to look of his squad in the trials so far.

Russell believes his team has a high footy IQ, and believes they’ll question some teams going forward with the style of footy they play.

They want to be as competitive as possible and exceed the benchmark ladder position they set last year.

Last season: 5th (Eliminated finals Wk 1)

Squad:

Viliami Amone, Ethan Cliff, Dylan Egan, Taj Ford, Kane Graham, Jacob Haeata, Te Umuariki Heremia-Tukere, Kyan Hjaltason, Neasan Jha-Langley, Lyhkan King-Togia, Isaac Laughton, Callum Leikvoll, Jett Liu, Campbell Lyons, Zak Maarbani, Toby Miller, Ramses Munro, Seth Pearman, Wesley Pring, Jack Quine, Campbell Rubie, Toby Rumble, Bailey Sassall, Judd Stevenson, Hamish Stewart, Darnell Te Ahuru, Vaenuku Vatuvei, Ashton Ward, James Walsh.

Loko Tonga (right) will play for the Dragons this year. Picture: John Gass

ST GEORGE DRAGONS

Captain: TBA

Coach: Willie Talau

Players to watch:

Loko Tonga is a towering prop who starred for Ipswich State High School in last year’s National Championships.

Already turning heads since arriving at Kogarah, the powerful forward is a born leader with endurance and a destructive carry.

Nick Tsougranis is a strong and aggressive backrower from Arncliffe Scots juniors.

Always a handful on the edge, he has already progressed through to Jersey Flegg and is destined for higher honours.

Corey Ackers is an energetic foot-to-the-floor explosive ball carrier.

Capable in the back-row or lock, the Arncliffe Scots product is poised to join the Dragons NRL training squad in the coming seasons.

Surprise packet:

In a squad blessed with potent forward stocks, Carlos Pauli is a new hardworking recruit who is expected to create havoc with his dynamic charges.

Why they will be competitive: With former Kiwi and Samoan international Willie Talau coming on board as coach, you can be sure that St George will always be up for the battle, irrespective of their opponents reputations.

Last season: 14th

CANBERRA RAIDERS

Captain: TBA

Coach: Peter Marrapodi

Players to watch: Gun fullback Chevy Stewart arrives in Canberra after a standout year for Cronulla in last season’s Harold Matthews competition.

Fit and firing after completing his pre-season training with the NRL squad, the speedster will provide plenty of flare out wide and havoc through centrefield with his deadly anticipation.

The younger brother of Canberra NRL prop Ata Mariota,

Niu is an impact player fast tracking his own path to higher honours.

One of the bigger front-rowers in the competition, Mariota’s fitness has risen to another level after several disrupted pre-seasons.

Surprise packet:

Hunter recruit Jake Clydesdale is the brother of former Newcastle and Canberra hooker Adam, and it’s where the similarities end.

A front-row powerhouse, Jake is a country kid with a great attitude who coach Peter Marrapodi expects will surprise many with his impact up the middle.

Why they will be competitive:

With several key signings joining the best of last year’s Harold Matthews semi final combination, the Raiders are expected to be a force.

Marrapodi sees his squad’s fitness and hard working values as a point of difference, and believes he has the halves required to exploit the team’s inevitable go-forward.

Last season: 9th

Squad list:

Chevy Stewart, Eddie Tiana, Elvis Nauer-Wood, Ethan Alaia, Jack Anderson, Jack Clutterbuck, Jack Piccirilli, Jacob Iosefa, Jake Clydesdale, Jalen Afasamaga, Jaxen Yow, Jaxon Lavender, Jayden Wolfe, Joe Roddy, Jordan Chapman, Keahn Skipps, Lekani Mpaso, Mark Tuialii, Niu Mariota, Noah Martin, Owen Hromow, Owen Pattie, Ryan Woolley, Samuel Gash, Siamani Leuluai, Tahrell Feavai, Trent Jefferey, Vena Patuki-Case, Xavier Cacciotti

Lawson Cotter training for Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks ahead of the 2023 NSW SG Ball Cup. Picture: Contributed

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS

Captain: TBA

Coach: David Howlett

Players to watch: Lawson Cotter and Lachlan Crossle are both local junior league players with strong running games.

Cotter is an edge back row, and has been highlighted by academy and talent manager Glenn Brailey as an exciting prospect. Meanwhile, front rower Crossle is known for his fitness and hard work on the park.

Both players got a taste of SG Ball level last year and will bring needed experience to the side.

Why they will be competitive:

Officials have assembled what they believe are strong squads, with a good combination of local talent and positional-specific recruited players.

With a bit of luck with injuries, they’re aiming for progression in 2023. Players graduating from a grand final appearance in last year’s Harold Matthews Cup will push their claims of a finals appearance.

Last season: 7th

MELBOURNE STORM

Captain: Josiah-Ekkehard Neli

Coach: Jason Warr

Players to watch:

“Lock Josiah-Ekkehard Neli and front rower Zayvian Langkilde-Fale both finished last year playing some Jersey Flegg.

Josiah is a really willing player, he’s aggressive and plays well and truly above his weight.

Zayvian is a strong ball carrier and does all the right things in defence.

Suliasi Prescott has spent the pre-season with the NRL development ad is an elusive dummy half coming back after last year.”

Surprise packet:

“Young centre Siulagi Pio has got a great frame on him and brings a great attitude to the club.

We’re expecting some big things from him.”

Why they will be competitive:

“This is the best pre-season we’ve ever had.

There’s been interruptions the last couple of years but none this time.

The boys have been training really well and are looking to put their best foot forward. 75 per cent are top age players, whereas in previous years we’ve had to rely on bottom age to come through.

It’s a good platform having a season under their belts which helps with cohesion.”

Last season: 15th

Elijah Mataale. Picture: Adam Yip

BALMAIN TIGERS

Captain: TBA

Coach: Gaven Sheehan

Players to watch:

“The name on everyone’s mouth is Josh Feledy. He transferred from Manly to the Wests Tigers.

He’s been training with the NRL squad in the pre-season and we might see him in the first few rounds (of SG Ball).

Another is a local Tony Sukkar who is a forward and a very likely prospect coming back into SG Ball.

He is a powerful player with a lot of maturity. He’s been training in the NRL squad along with Oliver Lawry. He’s a big unit at over six foot tall, and has great skills and is a strong half.”

Surprise packet:

“I had a big wrap on this player from last year but unfortunately he got injured in the trials. Elijah Mataale has come back 5kg fitter and trimmer. He looks a great prospect. He’s a middle front rower.

Another is John Ibrahim who looks great as a running lock.”

Why they will be competitive:

“If you look at both teams last year, not a lot of people gave us a hope in SG Ball and we finished only one point out of second. What I see in this group is balance across the field.

We’ve got some good forwards, good backs and some key players in those positions.

You look at Wests and a few others that will be strong, we’ll likely sit under the radar.

We’ll continue to build nicely and there’s no real weaknesses across the field. Our top 18-20 players look strong.”

Last season: 3rd (eliminated Finals Wk 1)

Squad:

Lipina Ata, Lachlan Broedlow, Levi Conti, Jonas Cook, Bryson Demanuelle, Kian Edmed, Jesse Eljuga, Josh Feledy, Michael Feledy, Aiden Harb, Johnny Ibrahim, Cameron Kanaan, Hosea Kedzlie, Will Kennedy, Keenan Lawandos, Oliver Lawry, Lotu Lavilavi, Zaid Lehn, Jackson Lill, William Malloy, Elijah Mataale, Billy McNickle, Adam Mehrez, Brendan Naicori, Charlie O’kane, Velangi Otahaha, Joe Schmitzer, Jekope Sovau, Gabe Stuart, Tony Sukkar, Jordan Tut Chapman, Kaisara Tuimauga, Wade Zreika

Kit Laulili’i. Picture: Richard Dobson

WESTERN SUBURBS MAGPIES

Captain: TBA

Coach: Joey Saukuru

Players to watch:

“We’ve had three training at the top level.

Kit Laulili’i is a ball-playing lock and brings real leadership to the team He’s a year young for SG Ball but is very mature minded and leads from the front.

Zac Clarke is an edge back rower who can also play at the six.

Tallyn De Silva is a classy nine that gets out and runs.

The club has managed to lock him down which is good for his development, we rate him really highly.”

Surprise packet:

“Heath Mason is a good, running half and a really nice kid.

He was in the Emerging Blues over the summer and went into camp with them.

Heath was part of the Harold Matts team last year that went undefeated last year and is a St Greg’s product who trains hard and is really aggressive.”

Why they will be competitive:

“In last year’s SG Ball we had 11 year youngs and nine of them have stayed on with two moved on to other clubs.

Plus we have the young guys coming up from Harold Matts so we have a decent side of local talent.

There’s about 95 per cent that are locals, sprinkled in with Australian Schoolboys player Chris Faagutu (from Queensland), I think we can give it a really good shake.”

Last season: 12th

Squad: Brycen Anae-Roberts, Teancum Brown, Lachlan Bush, Zakauri Clarke, Tajh Colquhoun, William Craig, Tallyn Da Silva, Christopher Faagutu, Sosefo Finau, Lachlan Galvin, Tino Tavana, Luke Keppie, Kit Laulili’i, Jeremiah Leatigaga, Ofele Lene, Raymond Lole, Heath Mason, Jordan Miller, Thomas Pati, Elijah Pettit-Young, Heith Pritchard, Solomone Saukuru, Mou Taumaletila-Maulolo, Junior Taungatua, Masei Tavui, Harrison Valevatu, Daniel Waqa

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