OFFICIAL SG Ball Cup

Surely there’s more players that can be playing up in flegg? Why is Willet not there? It’s a wasted opportunity he would develop better with more game time, trained with first grade this off season.
 
lathami said:
Surely there’s more players that can be playing up in flegg? Why is Willet not there? It’s a wasted opportunity he would develop better with more game time, trained with first grade this off season.
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Willett must have picked up an injury. He was missing from the last 2 SG Ball games too. Hopefully not too serious and he can play a bit of Flegg this year.
 
SG Ball Cup 2025 season preview: Rolling previews for all U19s mens clubs for the upcoming season

Jason Hosken and Sean Teuma
January 9, 2025

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/n...d/news-story/201248ebce12d1bd35f2bccfd59635b2

WESTERN SUBURBS MAGPIES
Captain: TBA
Coach: Nathan Lakeman
Last season: 8th (4-1-4)

Why they will be competitive: Usually a force in this age group, the Magpies are desperate to make a finals return and according to coach Nathan Lakeman there’s plenty for fans to be excited about.

“Like other teams, the boys have trained hard in the pre-season,” said Lakeman. “We have a good mix of aged players and young players with many coming out of last year’s Harold Matts grand final team.

“The boys understand the nature of this competition, the expectations and standard required. After a disappointing 2024 they are looking to bounce back in 2025.”

Key fixture: Warriors (round six). The Magpies face two of last season’s top four sides in the first four rounds, but with a host players stepping up from the side beaten in last year’s Harold Matts decider, you can bet they will be eager to peg one back when the Warriors arrive at Campbelltown in round six.

Players to watch: Jack Nicholas is a formidable force out wide. Big and strong, the outside back is a danger at either end of the field and last season proved a smash hit for Patrician Brothers Blacktown in the Peter Mulholland Cup.

Blessed with leaders, Archie Duncombe has had a taste of Jersey Flegg and last year the backrower represented Country. Workaholic middle Denzel Schaafhausen- Mino is a former skipper of Westfields Sports High and rejoins the squad and after an off-season with the Flegg squad.

In the halves, Sonny Edwards-Moeke returns for another campaign and mixes flair off both feet with an ability to steer the team around the park.

Phoenix Godinet is another schoolboy sensation who has already caught the eye of talent scouts around the country. A tearaway on the edge, Lakeman believes he’ll relish the rise to U19s and expects the backrower to make “a bold showing in 2025”.
 
A window into the NRL’s future, this year’s under-19s SG Ball competition is once again brimming with talent. We preview the upcoming season, continuing with the Balmain Tigers.

Jason Hosken, Sean Teuma and Alex Pichaloff

January 20, 2025 - 9:36AM
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/n...201248ebce12d1bd35f2bccfd59635b2?amp#comments
Marc Tannous is a key piece in the puzzle for Balmain in the SG Ball. Picture: Sean Teuma

Marc Tannous is a key piece in the puzzle for Balmain in the SG Ball. Picture: Sean Teuma

Last season a host of big names made the transition from SG Ball Cup to the NRL.
Flagged as a major stepping stone to higher honours, this year’s U19s competition promises to once again unveil a new generation of stars.

With the new season set to commence on February 1, we progressively preview all 16 teams, continuing with the Balmain Tigers.

BALMAIN TIGERS​

Captain: Jared Haywood

Coach: Shane Sultana

Last season: 16th (0-9)

Why they will be competitive: Despite finishing without a victory in 2024, the Leichhardt based side of the Wests Tigers’ joint venture is heavily invested in the promotion of local talent.

“We have a smaller junior base compared to the Magpies, but the current pathways program works very well,” said newly appointed Balmain coach Shane Sultana, who joins the Tigers following a stint with South Sydney as NSW Cup assistant coach.

“Both teams trial and train separately but there is scope to transition players between the teams if they don’t make their intended squad.

“There is also an U18s development program to cater for players outside the main squads.”

Balmain hooker Jared Haywoodin action for Patrician Brothers Blacktown. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

Balmain hooker Jared Haywood in action for Patrician Brothers Blacktown. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

After finishing on the end of some lopsided scores last season, Sultana can already see signs of improvement.

“It is challenging with a smaller junior footprint, but the boys are buying into the culture and enjoying their football education,” he said.

“Once again we have a really tough draw, but the group has performed well in the trials. There’s been no blowout score which is a good indication that we are on the right track.”

Key fixture: Sea Eagles (round three). Following a challenging opening fortnight against the Magpies and reigning premiers, St George, Balmain is set to host Manly in a contest between two sides eager to improve on last season’s return.

Players to watch:Jared Haywood brings a level of maturity and footy knowledge well beyond his years. The hooker and team skipper is an Australian Schoolboys rep who has continued to flourish during the pre-season while training with the NSW Cup and NRL squads.

In the halves, Tyler Birnie steps up from Harold Matts, while Concord-Burwood Wolves junior Marc Tannous is another to benefit from time alongside the NRL squad over the summer.

Out wide Ben Moughan is a powerful centre/winger with an upbringing in New Zealand rugby union.

Zeke Edmed is a familiar name upfront. The son of former Balmain enforcer, Steve, Zeke continues to impress and is quickly coming to terms with the mental aspects of the game.
 
SG Ball will be an interesting watch, some potential stars on both teams.
The Balmain fullback Logan Brooks a recruit from Qld is another keep an eye on, he looks to be a tall, strong and riugged type of fullback who could easily transition to playing centre or wing if required when he progresses through the ranks.
 
Tigers_Wests said:
Balmain with what looks like the stronger spine, but Wests have some classy and strong players that will be hard to contain. Hopefully turns out to be a decent contest.
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I'm excited by this encounter.

I agree the spine of Balmain with the highly talented fullback Logan Brookes-Deininger, Australian schoolboy rep hooker Jared Haywood, NRL pre-season trialist Marc Tannous & top-ager Cohen Benson look superior with 3 of those 4 playing together in SG Ball last season.

However the Magpies have a very strong pack & potent backline albeit most of them bottom agers. Top-ager prop Kohan Lewis is one to watch after playing Macarthur senior A grade last season, an absolute workhorse. He is joined by Harold Matts player of the year Christian Taupau-Moors & Laurie Daley Cup POY Archie Duncombe in the middle with highly talented middles Peter Ta'ai & Dane Ransom on the bench. Ransom (like Logan Brookes) is from Kirwan SHS in NQ and comes with big wraps. Can't wait to see Pheonix Godinet this season, an absolute gem in our system who I hope we have pinned down long-term especially as a backrow prospect.

It's an exciting backline with Makasini, Karnib, tall strong winger Jack Nicholas & top-ager and Junior Blues camp member from 2 years ago Riley Oitmann (size is probably what holds him back atm), ever-improving & developing fullback Ali Karnib and interestingly bottom ager Glassie Glassie edged out Callum McMenemy for the right centre spot.

From the Tigers perspective, they do have some solid top-agers in the pack Matt Aitchison, Jordan Bunt & Adam Meslemani and some exciting prospects in the centres. I hope for one Xavier Tauaifaiga lines up against Makasini as Xavier is highly rated by the Wests Tigers and locked away until 2027, be a great duel. While the other centre Ben Moughan is a big strong outside back from the NZ schools rugby union system.

Should be a ripper. Magpies by 10 but Tigers to impress.
 
Tigers_Wests said:
Balmain with what looks like the stronger spine, but Wests have some classy and strong players that will be hard to contain. Hopefully turns out to be a decent contest.
Click to expand...
Balmain have a good fullback and hooker, that's about it. Their halves were shocking last year and are the same. I don't Tannous at all, so it's on him to show what he can do.

As has been mentioned Wests pack looks far superior, as do their backs.
 
balmain boy said:
Balmain have a good fullback and hooker, that's about it. Their halves were shocking last year and are the same. I don't Tannous at all, so it's on him to show what he can do.

As has been mentioned Wests pack looks far superior, as do their backs.
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Let's see how the coaching & another a year already in SG Ball for 6 or 7 of them last year benefit them. Benji & co must see something in Tannous to give him an NRL pre-season and also the centre Tauaifaiga has trained with the NRL squad at times last season.

But yes Wests look the superior outfit no question.
 
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