Looks like we’ve signed Bulldogs SG Ball halfback/captain Iverson Matai effective immediately.
Pretty sure he was joining their Top 30 squad in 2024.
Has had big wraps in junior league circles for a while.
18/19-years-old, scored five tries in eight SG Ball games this year.
If true, could be promising. He's in this writeup with Feledy
With the future of the NRL getting ready to take the next step towards their ultimate rugby league dreams when round one of the NSWRL junior rep competitions officially kick off this weekend, Paul Crawley identifies 13 of the most talked about teenagers coming through in SG Ball and Harold Matthews Cup.
The list includes one young gun rated arguably the best teenage playmaker since Brad Fittler, while an unlikely former Manly centre who has also been likened to a young Jamie Lyon now captains the Tigers.
JOSH FELEDY (TIGERS, SG BALL, CENTRE)
A try-scoring machine at the Sea Eagles but has made move to the Tigers in 2023 hoping for a faster passage through to the NRL. As for the comparisons to Jamie “Killer” Lyon, they come from that fact this kid doesn’t look anything particularly special at first glance but make no mistake he is super quick and extremely competitive, and just knows how to find the try line. Was almost untouchable playing outside the supremely gifted Latu Fainu, so it will be interesting to see how he performs without his former gun playmaker now he’s at Balmain.
LATU FAINU (SEA EAGLES, SG BALL, FIVE-EIGHTH)
Comes from a production line of footballing brothers and this one in particular is rated arguably the most talented teenager to emerge in years. In fact, one good judge even goes as far as to say he could the best he’s seen since Brad Fittler. Which might sound outrageous until you see him play. The word is the Bulldogs even put out a feeler before signing Karl Oloapu recently. If this bloke keeps his focus he could be anything in the years to come.
CHEVY STEWART (RAIDERS, SG BALL, FULLBACK)
Another of the game’s most hyped teenagers who has moved from the Sharks to the Raiders this year and takes with him some huge expectation. Lightning fast and with skills to match, he spent the summer training with the Raiders’ top squad and looks destined for NRL in the years to come.
LUKE HANSON (PANTHERS, SG BALL, HALFBACK)
Plays like Luke Keary and comes from a system that just knows how to turn talent into long term success.
LUKE LAULILII (MAGPIES, HAROLD MATTS, FULLBACK)
This boom fullback is another of those Roger Tuivasa-Sheck-type lightning bolts and already with a tremendous passing game. Won Matts last year and at just 16 has already been signed into the full-time squad for next year.
IVERSON MATAI (BULLDOGS, SG BALL, HALFBACK)
Typical scheming halfback with a good kicking game, the Dogs rate this youngster the real deal. Played junior for Milperra Colts and was a standout for Endeavour Sports High.
TYRONE MUNROE/HAIZYN MELLARS (RABBITOHS, SG BALL, WINGERS)
Munroe scored four tries in a trial and looks definitely on the fast track to the big time. Tall, with speed to burn and is not afraid of the contact, no wonder Rabbitohs Ball coach John Sutton rates him so highly. Also keep an eye out for the other winger, Haizyn Mellars, whose father Vince used to play NRL. Haizyn was also a gifted basketballer whose mother Charmian also played for the New Zealand Silver Ferns at the Olympics. He’s only played league for 18 months so he’s still pretty raw but he could be anything. It’s a shame the Rabbitohs will be without young five-eighth Jye Gray who suffered a hamstring injury in the final minutes of the trials.
FINAU LATU (DRAGONS, HAROLD MATTS, LOCK)
Solomon Haumono’s nephew who was a Penrith junior and now captain of this Dragons team. If you remember watching his uncle go around this will bring back memories because he’s incredibly tough, can run, offload, and hits like a truck.
ETHAN SANDERS (EELS, FIVE-EIGHTH)/JOSHUA LYNN (EELS, HALFBACK)
Two outstanding young halves who look destined for NRL. Sanders is a Cooper Cronk-style playmaker with good speed, while the Eels picked up young Lynn from Queensland where he starred as another Palm Beach Currumbin graduate.
FLETCHER SHARPE (KNIGHTS, SG BALL, FULLBACK)
There’s huge raps on this young bloke up Newcastle way and when you watch his highlights you’ll know why. Super quick, skilful, and just has a real footy intelligence about the way he plays.
