Buttface
Well-known member
25-18 was close last week.
balmain boy
Well-known member
We have small, slow, dumb players in every grade. And they get dominated by nearly every rival club, nearly every week.
They’re 15 years old . What a shit thing to say.
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
Preview of Andrew Johns Cup 2026
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/n...v2LFUJNFmzQd245Ov4_aem_7G2Y0ht_mc9hoDAkeu0RCA
MACARTHUR WESTS TIGERS
Captain: TBC
Coach: Adam Whitelaw
Last Season: 2nd in southern pool, eliminated semi-final (5-2)
Why they will be competitive: Despite Macarthur proving to be one of the best regional nurseries in recent years, officials at the Tigers are particularly buoyed by the prospects of the current group heading into the Johns Cup season.
“It’s definitely a different group to last year,” said coach Adam Whitelaw.
“We’ve got more depth this year and it’s been a lot harder with selections. I am actually a little more excited about this crop of kids that I’ve got, with no disrespect to previous years, but it’s very hard to choose positions because the skills are at a very high level.”
With plenty of X-factor in key attacking positions, the coach is especially intrigued to see how the team performs with the ball in hand.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how our backline goes. I think we should have plenty of points in us. It’s quite exciting. Even in the age group below this one, we’ve got pretty high stocks, I’d say.”
The Macarthur Wests Tigers look set for another competitive year. Picture: Martin Ollman
Key Fixture: The round six clash with another regular heavyweight the Illawarra South Coast Dragons could prove to be a final-round blockbuster as the teams battle it out for finals spots.
Players to watch: In a team full of talent, halfback Mason Mallier has really stood out, not only with his footy nous but also his attitude and mentality to training.
“He’s been phenomenal all pre-season and is just a natural leader,” said Whitelaw. “His effort, you can’t fault it. He’s got a very cool head on him and I’m excited to see how he’s going to go.”
Another to catch the eye backrower Bryce Blatch. In equal measures skilful and tough, he’s highly regarded at the Tigers and has been contracted to the club until the end of 2028.
“I think he’s going to be one for the future, that’s for sure,” said Whitelaw.
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/n...v2LFUJNFmzQd245Ov4_aem_7G2Y0ht_mc9hoDAkeu0RCA
MACARTHUR WESTS TIGERS
Captain: TBC
Coach: Adam Whitelaw
Last Season: 2nd in southern pool, eliminated semi-final (5-2)
Why they will be competitive: Despite Macarthur proving to be one of the best regional nurseries in recent years, officials at the Tigers are particularly buoyed by the prospects of the current group heading into the Johns Cup season.
“It’s definitely a different group to last year,” said coach Adam Whitelaw.
“We’ve got more depth this year and it’s been a lot harder with selections. I am actually a little more excited about this crop of kids that I’ve got, with no disrespect to previous years, but it’s very hard to choose positions because the skills are at a very high level.”
With plenty of X-factor in key attacking positions, the coach is especially intrigued to see how the team performs with the ball in hand.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how our backline goes. I think we should have plenty of points in us. It’s quite exciting. Even in the age group below this one, we’ve got pretty high stocks, I’d say.”
The Macarthur Wests Tigers look set for another competitive year. Picture: Martin Ollman
Key Fixture: The round six clash with another regular heavyweight the Illawarra South Coast Dragons could prove to be a final-round blockbuster as the teams battle it out for finals spots.
Players to watch: In a team full of talent, halfback Mason Mallier has really stood out, not only with his footy nous but also his attitude and mentality to training.
“He’s been phenomenal all pre-season and is just a natural leader,” said Whitelaw. “His effort, you can’t fault it. He’s got a very cool head on him and I’m excited to see how he’s going to go.”
Another to catch the eye backrower Bryce Blatch. In equal measures skilful and tough, he’s highly regarded at the Tigers and has been contracted to the club until the end of 2028.
“I think he’s going to be one for the future, that’s for sure,” said Whitelaw.
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
Preview of Laurie Daley Cup
MACARTHUR WESTS TIGERS
Macarthur will be out to go one better after falling in last year’s grand final. Picture: Greg Collis / CBR Sports Photography
Captain: TBC
Coach: Daniel Milford
Last Season: 1st in southern pool, lost grand final (5-2)
Why they will be competitive: A perennial powerhouse in the junior reps, Macarthur are regular contenders for the title and made last year’s grand final in the Laurie Daley Cup. But even by those regular high standards, there is a lot of excitement about this year’s group.
“Our boys are looking really strong, to be honest,” said coach Daniel Milford.
“It’s probably one of the strongest starting squads we’ve had in a while, with significant previous representative experience across the squad. That said, you can look good in pre-season but you’ve got to be able to translate that into the games. And I know a lot of the other teams come very well prepared.”
And while strong across the board, Milford believes his side will have an advantage in the forwards.
“We’re going to be renowned for our pack this season. A fairly big percentage of that pack has spent most of the pre-season with SG Ball and has recently come back to their own age group, so they’ll bring that experience and knowledge down with them,” he said.
Brock Achurch looms as a key man in the halves. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography
“Macarthur has traditionally been known for its bigger pack and playing dominant, very physical footy in the middle. We’re looking to do that again but this year we’re looking to add that bit of speed and mobility. We’ve got a leaner, agile forward pack with late footwork at the line.”
Another key strength lies in the key playmaking positions, with much of the team’s spine having played together for The Oaks Tigers in local footy and thus already built strong combinations.
Key Fixture: The final round clash against fellow heavyweights the Illawarra South Coast Dragons could well be a decisive fixture as both teams eye off finals footy.
Players to watch: Along with impressive halfback Brock Achurch, five-eighth Kai O’Brien has been a real standout during the pre-season and looms as a key player for the side.
“He’s a natural leader, a phenomenal communicator and always knows what to say when the team needs it, whether it be a rev-up, whether it be a disciplinary conversation around accountability, whether it be just some encouragement,” said Milford.
“Coupled with that is his phenomenal skillset at five-eighth: he’s got a great kicking game, can game manage and has a great running game as well.”
Ashton Chan-Sau. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography Newscorp Australia
One who is expected to float between Daley Cup and SG Ball after a very impressive pre-season is talented lock/hooker Harry Bickoff, while perhaps most emblematic of the Tigers’ new-look, mobile pack is Ashton Chan Sau.
“He’s historically a powerhouse backrower, known for linebreaks,” said Milford. “But during his pre-season with SG Ball he was somewhat converted into the middle and has come back to the Laurie Daley squad as potentially a starting middle. He’s got that second-row experience over the years, but coupled with his ability to play fast through the middle, I’m excited to see how he goes.”
MACARTHUR WESTS TIGERS
Macarthur will be out to go one better after falling in last year’s grand final. Picture: Greg Collis / CBR Sports Photography
Captain: TBC
Coach: Daniel Milford
Last Season: 1st in southern pool, lost grand final (5-2)
Why they will be competitive: A perennial powerhouse in the junior reps, Macarthur are regular contenders for the title and made last year’s grand final in the Laurie Daley Cup. But even by those regular high standards, there is a lot of excitement about this year’s group.
“Our boys are looking really strong, to be honest,” said coach Daniel Milford.
“It’s probably one of the strongest starting squads we’ve had in a while, with significant previous representative experience across the squad. That said, you can look good in pre-season but you’ve got to be able to translate that into the games. And I know a lot of the other teams come very well prepared.”
And while strong across the board, Milford believes his side will have an advantage in the forwards.
“We’re going to be renowned for our pack this season. A fairly big percentage of that pack has spent most of the pre-season with SG Ball and has recently come back to their own age group, so they’ll bring that experience and knowledge down with them,” he said.
Brock Achurch looms as a key man in the halves. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography
“Macarthur has traditionally been known for its bigger pack and playing dominant, very physical footy in the middle. We’re looking to do that again but this year we’re looking to add that bit of speed and mobility. We’ve got a leaner, agile forward pack with late footwork at the line.”
Another key strength lies in the key playmaking positions, with much of the team’s spine having played together for The Oaks Tigers in local footy and thus already built strong combinations.
Key Fixture: The final round clash against fellow heavyweights the Illawarra South Coast Dragons could well be a decisive fixture as both teams eye off finals footy.
Players to watch: Along with impressive halfback Brock Achurch, five-eighth Kai O’Brien has been a real standout during the pre-season and looms as a key player for the side.
“He’s a natural leader, a phenomenal communicator and always knows what to say when the team needs it, whether it be a rev-up, whether it be a disciplinary conversation around accountability, whether it be just some encouragement,” said Milford.
“Coupled with that is his phenomenal skillset at five-eighth: he’s got a great kicking game, can game manage and has a great running game as well.”
Ashton Chan-Sau. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography Newscorp Australia
One who is expected to float between Daley Cup and SG Ball after a very impressive pre-season is talented lock/hooker Harry Bickoff, while perhaps most emblematic of the Tigers’ new-look, mobile pack is Ashton Chan Sau.
“He’s historically a powerhouse backrower, known for linebreaks,” said Milford. “But during his pre-season with SG Ball he was somewhat converted into the middle and has come back to the Laurie Daley squad as potentially a starting middle. He’s got that second-row experience over the years, but coupled with his ability to play fast through the middle, I’m excited to see how he goes.”
