Meet 23 Wests Tigers cubs roaring in the Macarthur RL senior ranks
Wests Tigers’ brightest junior stars have stepped up to the Macarthur RL senior grades, with pathways co-ordinators tracking their progress against seasoned professionals.
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Already a breeding ground of household names, the Wests Tigers’ next generation of superstars is taking shape in the Macarthur senior grades, with the club’s most promising talents testing their mettle against seasoned pros and former NRL stars.
Following the conclusion of the NSWRL Junior Reps season, elite prospects from the Wests and Balmain SG Ball (Under 19) squads are making their next move.
Widely regarded as one of the state’s premier competitions, the Wests Group Macarthur league comprises 10 teams from the Campbelltown and Group 6 regions.
Headlined by up to a dozen former big names including international Elijah Taylor (Campbelltown City) and ex-Eels and Knights flyer Ken Sio (Campbelltown Collegians), Tigers’ officials view the move as a perfect platform for young players to test themselves against physically mature bodies.
With pathways co-ordinator Brad Speechley leading the charge, a widespread talent pool is under close watch. This includes players from local clubs and other districts on the cusp of Jersey Flegg (U21) selection, such as Siotame Havea Jr, who completed an NRL pre-season.
“Not all the players in the squad are from the Macarthur area,” explained Speechley, who as captain-coach of reigning premiers Camden Rams, monitors his charges from close range.
“We made it clear to all the boys in the Cubs program that we wanted them actively involved in our local leagues. Many already had affiliations or chose a club, and for those who needed assistance, we helped them find a suitable team.”
For those who miss out on Flegg selection, the preference is for players to see out the season in either first or reserve grade, while the youngest also have the safety net of slipping back to under-18s.
“Having them in the Macarthur competition simplifies tracking their progress,” said Speechley.
“Tuesdays are dedicated to the Cubs program, which includes a detailed review of their weekend performance and tailored advice for improvement. Then, on Thursdays, they integrate with their local club teams for training.”
Brimming with homegrown talent and bolstered by promising recruits from the Penrith and Canterbury junior systems, meet 23 SG Ball reps currently active in the Macarthur senior grades.
AIDAN RICHARDS (CAMDEN)
A long-striding outside back, the Camden Rams junior and son of Wests Tigers NRL premiership winner Pat Richards has already made a name for himself in junior reps and at St Gregory’s College.
A handy goal kicker, he recently excelled in reserve grade, scoring four tries and kicking seven goals for Camden.
ALEX FUTIALO (CAMDEN)
A power packed middle, the rising Wests Magpies prop is believed to be edging closer to Flegg selection. Made his first grade debut on the local scene in round one, and the St George product didn’t look out of place against a formidable Oakdale pack in round two.
BROOKLYN MILFORD (CAMDEN)
A longtime pathways rep for the Magpies, the East Campbelltown junior jumped ship to Camden this year, and hasn’t looked out of place at hooker in the second grade competition.
DANE RANSOM (CAMPBELLTOWN CITY)
A proud Queenslander, the towering bookend headed south last year. After shining for Wests in junior reps, he made a name for himself as a try-scoring middle in first grade for Campbelltown City.
With another season of SG Ball under his belt, he has returned to City’s starting line-up.
GLASSIE GLASSIE (CAMPBELLTOWN CITY)
One of the strongest centres in under-age footy, Glassie has impressed in both codes. Since scoring a try in his first-grade debut for The Oaks last season, he has returned bigger and stronger, playing a full season of SG Ball and now competing in first grade for City.
LORIMA COSGRAVE (CAMPBELLTOWN CITY)
The rising Magpies rake is a key member of the City pack. A smart organiser and attacking weapon around the ruck, the young hooker scored twice in City’s opening round first-grade victory and added another in round two.
PETER TAAI (CAMPBELLTOWN CITY)
A City junior and respected back-row talent, he was named captain of the Magpies’ SG Ball side in 2026. In a proud moment, he suited up for City in round three, sharing the field with Elijah Taylor, a veteran of more than 180 NRL games and 11 Tests for New Zealand.
LUKE TIBERTI (CAMPBELLTOWN CITY)
After getting his start in the Canterbury pathways, Luke joined Wests this season, playing a variety of positions in the Magpies’ backline. A former Australian U18s Oztag rep, he recently made his first grade debut at halfback.
BLAKE VAN DRIE (EAST CAMPBELLTOWN)
One of several talents from Penrith, the Cambridge Park junior has been a mainstay in the Balmain ranks and captained the SG Ball side this season. A ball-playing lock, he made his first-grade debut for East Campbelltown in round two, starting in the No. 13 jersey.
FILIPE HUAHULU (EAST CAMPBELLTOWN)
An Emu Plains product, Filipe is a powerfully built outside back with pace to burn. He spent the Junior Reps season with Balmain, and impressed in his top-grade debut on the wing for East Campbelltown in round two.
JAHZIAH PALMER-VAIVAO (EAST CAMPBELLTOWN)
Another junior from the proud Cambridge Park club, Jahziah is a talented centre emerging through the Balmain ranks. Sizzling in full flight, he recently crossed for a double in first grade for East Campbelltown that included one long range effort.
JAMES LANYON (EAST CAMPBELLTOWN)
A tall outside back, James was a noted try scorer for the Magpies this season. An Eagles junior, he kicked off his senior career playing fullback in East Campbelltown’s reserve grade side.
JORDAN TRUCKLE (EAST CAMPBELLTOWN)
The gifted No.1 was a member of the Macarthur Wests Tigers side that took out the Laurie Daley Cup as the top regional representative team. Highly regarded at East Campbelltown, he recently started at fullback in first grade.
ZANE FARR-MCKAY (EAST CAMPBELLTOWN)
After climbing the junior ranks with St Marys, the Penrith junior joined Balmain where he packed down in the front row in SG Ball this season. In a sign of things to come, the teenager has already won a starting spot at prop in the Eagles’ first grade side.
ALEX ISDALE (OAKDALE)
Well known in the Wests pathways, Alex captained the Magpies to the 2024 Harold Matthews Cup (U17s) grand final. A ball-playing half with speed to match, after Balmain’s SG Ball campaign, he recently returned to Oakdale where he made his first grade debut in 2025.
TYLER VOLCOV (OAKDALE)
A member of the Magpies’ SG Ball summer squad, the Ingleburn RSL junior has jumped ship to Oakdale. A flyer out wide, he recently played fullback in reserve grade.
AARON PAEA (THE OAKS)
Another from the Ingleburn RSL junior nursery, Aaron spent the majority of the reps season at fullback for the Magpies. On the lookout for an opportunity in the senior grades, he recently joined The Oaks Tigers.
ELIHALIO ATONI (THE OAKS)
A starting prop in last year’s grand final winning Oaks under-18s team, Elihalio trained with the Wests SG Ball squad over the summer months. One to watch, he has already made multiple first grade appearances in the Macarthur comp.
JHEVON LELE (THE OAKS)
An Ingleburn RSL junior, Jhevon played the majority of this year’s reps at five-eighth for Wests SG Ball. Naturally gifted, he has no fears of taking the line on.
Still a year young, he has already started in the halves for The Oaks in second grade, and recently announced himself in the top grade with a cracking solo try.
JOSHUA VELLA (THE OAKS)
A former Magpies Harold Matts player of the year, the long striding speedster played on the wing for the majority of this year’s SG Ball season. A quality finisher, he recently scored a double in first grade for The Oaks.
SIOTAME HAVEA JR (THE OAKS)
A key long-term development player for Wests Tigers, the highly regarded lock participated in the NRL pre-season and is young enough for another season of SG Ball. A product of All Saints Liverpool, he is a regular starter in The Oaks first grade pack.
RILEY AYRES (THE OAKS)
A reliable and no-nonsense middle forward, after spending the summer with the Magpies SG Ball squad, Riley has hit the ground running in the senior grades, playing off the bench in first grade.
HARRY BICKOFF (THE OAKS)
Another member of the victorious Macarthur Wests Tigers Laurie Daley squad, Harry is a rising hooker with links to Penrith juniors. A natural competitor, he made his first grade debut for The Oaks in the No.14 jersey.
