The future could hardly look brighter for Wests Tigers, with seven members of a drought-breaking team primed to form the nucleus of the club’s next first-grade squad.
They’re the schoolboys who broke a Western Suburbs hoodoo stretching 20 years.
That, and now shape as the future of Wests Tigers.
While largely anonymous to most NRL fans, the Magpies 2022 Harold Matthews premiers are quietly shaping as Generation Next for the joint-venture club.
Apart from being the first Wests team to ever win the Harold Matthews title, they are also the club’s first junior premiers since 2002 – when an SG Ball mob including Ryan Hoffman, Liam Fulton and Bryce Gibbs went all the way.
Already, Tigers officials are looking to secure the futures of several team members, 90 per cent of whom hail from the local area.
Some of the names Tigers fans are being urged to keep an eye on include captain Kit Laulilii, hooker Tallyn Da Silva, halfback Heath Mason and prop Jordan Miller.
Asked about the team, Western Suburbs pathways manager Shannon Gallant agreed the aim was to ensure these teenage premiers progressed just like their predecessors 20 years ago.
Both Gibbs and Fulton went on to become members of the 2005 Wests Tigers premiership team, while Hoffman also enjoyed his own grand final successes with Melbourne Storm.
“Our goal is to make sure these boys commit to Wests Tigers, just as we’ll commit to them,” Gallant said.
“We need to make sure we continue their development – and over the right time frame – to put them in the best position possible to one day play NRL.”
Gallant added the same successes were also happening on the Balmain side of the merger, with the Tigers finishing the SG Ball season in third.
Asked for a hit list of seven players to watch, Gallant nominated the following …
* Kit Laulilii
Position: Lock
Club: Liverpool Catholic Club
“Our captain and our lock for the past three years. Outstanding leader and very consistent too, an eight out of 10 every week. There have also been times this year where the team was in some trouble and, at halftime, his speeches to the boys were incredible … you could see them all really buy in. As a staff that’s great to see.”
Tallyn Da Silva
Position: Hooker
Club: East Campbelltown Eagles
“Really good running game from dummy half and passes strong both ways, which is rare for a player this age. Has also really grown defensively this year too. In the grand final, Tallyn was responsible for some great defensive efforts. We’re excited to see what he does moving forward.”
Heath Mason
Position: Half
Club: Thirlmere Roosters
“A born footy player. He’s a bright student at St Gregory’s college and is a real student of rugby league also. Has that ability to set up teammates and continually take the right option. Importantly, never goes missing either. At the 78th minute, he’ll be the guy who stands up for you. That can’t be coached.”
Jordan Miller
Position: Front row
Club: Liverpool Catholic Club
“Best front rower in the competition. Got Man of the Match on grand final day and is a real success story, given he didn’t make Harold Matthews two years ago. His ability to lead the side and make those around him better has been outstanding. Has a great carry, too — attracts defenders, carries them and offloads.”
* Lachlan Galvin
Position: Back Row/Half
Club: Eaglevale St Andrews
“A No. 6, and local junior, who went to Parramatta but came back home this year and found himself on an edge as one of our backrowers. His ball playing ability is terrific. Doesn’t stick to a structure either and created a heap of opportunities. At SG Ball I think he will move back to five-eighth, but where he eventually ends up will depend on what changes his body makes over the next couple of years.”
Will Craig
Position: Centre/Fullback
Club: East Campbelltown Eagles
“Played centre for us this year and, defensively, was outstanding. Also has a terrific attitude. Despite having played fullback most of his life, he really took up the challenge at centre and became a vital part of our success this year.”
Jeremiah Leatigaga
Position: Second Row
Club: Liverpool Catholic Club
“The character of our group and a really strong defender. Pulled off some cracking tackles this year. He’s also that leader in the group who is always there to pick up the other boys. Played Andrew Johns Cup last year, made Country and has come on in leaps and bounds.”
They’re the schoolboys who broke a Western Suburbs hoodoo stretching 20 years.
That, and now shape as the future of Wests Tigers.
While largely anonymous to most NRL fans, the Magpies 2022 Harold Matthews premiers are quietly shaping as Generation Next for the joint-venture club.
Apart from being the first Wests team to ever win the Harold Matthews title, they are also the club’s first junior premiers since 2002 – when an SG Ball mob including Ryan Hoffman, Liam Fulton and Bryce Gibbs went all the way.
Already, Tigers officials are looking to secure the futures of several team members, 90 per cent of whom hail from the local area.
Some of the names Tigers fans are being urged to keep an eye on include captain Kit Laulilii, hooker Tallyn Da Silva, halfback Heath Mason and prop Jordan Miller.
Asked about the team, Western Suburbs pathways manager Shannon Gallant agreed the aim was to ensure these teenage premiers progressed just like their predecessors 20 years ago.
Both Gibbs and Fulton went on to become members of the 2005 Wests Tigers premiership team, while Hoffman also enjoyed his own grand final successes with Melbourne Storm.
“Our goal is to make sure these boys commit to Wests Tigers, just as we’ll commit to them,” Gallant said.
“We need to make sure we continue their development – and over the right time frame – to put them in the best position possible to one day play NRL.”
Gallant added the same successes were also happening on the Balmain side of the merger, with the Tigers finishing the SG Ball season in third.
Asked for a hit list of seven players to watch, Gallant nominated the following …
* Kit Laulilii
Position: Lock
Club: Liverpool Catholic Club
“Our captain and our lock for the past three years. Outstanding leader and very consistent too, an eight out of 10 every week. There have also been times this year where the team was in some trouble and, at halftime, his speeches to the boys were incredible … you could see them all really buy in. As a staff that’s great to see.”
Tallyn Da Silva
Position: Hooker
Club: East Campbelltown Eagles
“Really good running game from dummy half and passes strong both ways, which is rare for a player this age. Has also really grown defensively this year too. In the grand final, Tallyn was responsible for some great defensive efforts. We’re excited to see what he does moving forward.”
Heath Mason
Position: Half
Club: Thirlmere Roosters
“A born footy player. He’s a bright student at St Gregory’s college and is a real student of rugby league also. Has that ability to set up teammates and continually take the right option. Importantly, never goes missing either. At the 78th minute, he’ll be the guy who stands up for you. That can’t be coached.”
Jordan Miller
Position: Front row
Club: Liverpool Catholic Club
“Best front rower in the competition. Got Man of the Match on grand final day and is a real success story, given he didn’t make Harold Matthews two years ago. His ability to lead the side and make those around him better has been outstanding. Has a great carry, too — attracts defenders, carries them and offloads.”
* Lachlan Galvin
Position: Back Row/Half
Club: Eaglevale St Andrews
“A No. 6, and local junior, who went to Parramatta but came back home this year and found himself on an edge as one of our backrowers. His ball playing ability is terrific. Doesn’t stick to a structure either and created a heap of opportunities. At SG Ball I think he will move back to five-eighth, but where he eventually ends up will depend on what changes his body makes over the next couple of years.”
Will Craig
Position: Centre/Fullback
Club: East Campbelltown Eagles
“Played centre for us this year and, defensively, was outstanding. Also has a terrific attitude. Despite having played fullback most of his life, he really took up the challenge at centre and became a vital part of our success this year.”
Jeremiah Leatigaga
Position: Second Row
Club: Liverpool Catholic Club
“The character of our group and a really strong defender. Pulled off some cracking tackles this year. He’s also that leader in the group who is always there to pick up the other boys. Played Andrew Johns Cup last year, made Country and has come on in leaps and bounds.”
