Junior Reps 2026

[Frank Facer]

Sir, over the last 28 years Penrith and Donkeys have been the most successful teams. Not Rorters or Melbourne. Penrith especially is a model we should, and I sure are looking to emulate. With the money from St. George and players from Illawarra, it's a very realistic goal.

Off the top of my head, Melbourne have won 6 grand finals, (had 2 taken off them for salary cap breaches), Penrith one 5, Brisbane and Easts won 4.

Penrith have also had Nathan Cleary, who is the best halfback of his time. Cleary on ended up in the Penrith junior system, when his father returned from New Zealand to coach Penrith. I doubt Penrith would have been anywhere near as successful without Nathan Cleary. Penrith are really the only club to create a dynasty from their juniors since Canberra, who also bought good players from Qld and NZ, during their dynasty, and Parramatta in the early 80's.

When I was growing up in the 80's, the Parramatta junior league was always the best junior league in NSW. It was still the case in the 90's and mabye even 2000's until the Penrith Junior League became the best one in NSW. I still think Parra has one of the strongest junior leagues in the comp. They have many teams, which have leagues clubs, such as Wentworthville, Cabramatta, Mt Prichard, Guildford, Canley Vale, Toongabbie and Marconi Mustangs but they never won another premiership, since 1986.

Brisbane have had a monopoly on juniors from South Qld, until Redcliff was admitted to the NRL only a few years ago. Before last year, they had not won a comp since 2006. If someone would have said it would have taken them another 19 years to win another comp, after they won the 2006 premiership, no one would have believed them. Brisbane have always been the team young Queenslander's have aspired to play for, since their inception to the NSWRL/ARL/NRL

Melbourne's success is surprising

East's have always been a glamor club and have always been able to buy good players, without producing juniors. Today they buy good juniors and put them in their junior rep teams.

 

[RandomDragon]

HM Steelers won 4 tries to 1 this morning. Dont really know the numbers/players sorry but Burton & Amone played thats the only ones i could recognise haha

 

[RedV01]

Off the top of my head, Melbourne have won 6 grand finals, (had 2 taken off them for salary cap breaches), Penrith one 5, Brisbane and Easts won 4.

Penrith have also had Nathan Cleary, who is the best halfback of his time. Cleary on ended up in the Penrith junior system, when his father returned from New Zealand to coach Penrith. I doubt Penrith would have been anywhere near as successful without Nathan Cleary. Penrith are really the only club to create a dynasty from their juniors since Canberra, who also bought good players from Qld and NZ, during their dynasty, and Parramatta in the early 80's.

When I was growing up in the 80's, the Parramatta junior league was always the best junior league in NSW. It was still the case in the 90's and mabye even 2000's until the Penrith Junior League became the best one in NSW. I still think Parra has one of the strongest junior leagues in the comp. They have many teams, which have leagues clubs, such as Wentworthville, Cabramatta, Mt Prichard, Guildford, Canley Vale, Toongabbie and Marconi Mustangs but they never won another premiership, since 1986.

Brisbane have had a monopoly on juniors from South Qld, until Redcliff was admitted to the NRL only a few years ago. Before last year, they had not won a comp since 2006. If someone would have said it would have taken them another 19 years to win another comp, after they won the 2006 premiership, no one would have believed them. Brisbane have always been the team young Queenslander's have aspired to play for, since their inception to the NSWRL/ARL/NRL

Melbourne's success is surprising

East's have always been a glamor club and have always been able to buy good players, without producing juniors. Today they buy good juniors and put them in their junior rep teams.

Sir, I didn't go off the top of my head. I went ahead and checked. Penrith are outright No.1. Which is very promising for us. We can see teams with a good coach and a ton of good pathways players can not only match it but beat the monied up clubs like the other 3 your mentioned.

 

[Frank Facer]

Sir, I didn't go off the top of my head. I went ahead and checked. Penrith are outright No.1. Which is very promising for us. We can see teams with a good coach and a ton of good pathways players can not only match it but beat the monied up clubs like the other 3 your mentioned.

If you count how many times they "won grand finals" Melbourne are ahead, winning 6 grand finals. Even though they had 2 taken off them on official records, they still won those 2 grand finals. The players still consider they won those 2 grand finals and their fans probably do too. Their fans had the joy of winning those grand finals. I doubt they felt the pain of losing a grand final, when those 2 grand finals were taken off their official wins. Those who backed Melbourne to win the comp in those years also got paid out and didn't lose their winnings, when the comps were "officially" taken off them. The players kept their grand final rings too.

You say "it is promising for us". Is it also promising for other clubs and if so which ones and explain why it is promising for us and if there are others, explain why it is promising for them. I still think "the monied up clubs", such as Easts, Canterbury, Melbourne and Brisbane's prospects are better than the rest of the NRL clubs. Lets see who wins the most Grand Finals over the next 10 years?

 

[Eric]

If you count how many times they "won grand finals" Melbourne are ahead, winning 6 grand finals. Even though they had 2 taken off them on official records, they still won those 2 grand finals. The players still consider they won those 2 grand finals and their fans probably do too. Their fans had the joy of winning those grand finals. I doubt they felt the pain of losing a grand final, when those 2 grand finals were taken off their official wins. The players kept their grand final rings too.

You say "it is promising for us". Is it also promising for other clubs and if so which ones and explain why it is promising for us and if there are others, explain why it is promising for them. I still think "the monied up clubs", such as Easts, Canterbury, Melbourne and Brisbane's prospects are better than the rest of the NRL clubs. Lets see who wins the most Grand Finals over the next 10 years?

Melbourne have 4 GFs and 3 wooden spoons. That is a fact.

 

[Frank Facer]

Melbourne have 4 GFs and 3 wooden spoons. That is a fact.

They got 3 wooden spoons in 2010? I had never thought of it like that. lol Some say, we only won the comp in 2010, because Melbourne lost all their points. There supporters only had the feeling of getting the spoon in 2010. The years Melbourne won the Grand Final and then had them taken off them for salary cap breaches, "officially" no team won the Grand Finals those 2 years.

 

[Eric]

They won 3 wooden spoons in 2010? I had never thought of it like that. lol Some say, we only won the comp in 2010, because Melbourne lost all their points. Melbourne got 3 spoons in 2010? There supporters only had the feeling of getting the spoon in 2010. The years Melbourne won the Grand Final and then had them taken off them for salary cap breaches, "officially" no team won the Grand Finals those 2 years.

So your view is being disqualified for cheating isn't really "being disqualified"?

 

[Frank Facer]

So your view is being disqualified for cheating isn't really "being disqualified"?

No, my view is anyone who watched the grand final the years Melbourne won the 2 that were taken off them later, will remember Melbourne winning those grand finals. Their fans had the joy of winning the grand final and the players had the joy of winning the comps, anyone who backed them had the joy of winning the comps and got paid out and no other club players or fans or punters had the joy of winning the comp those 2 years. Officially and in hindsight no one won the comp those 2 years. Officially Melbourne got the spoon, when they actually won the grand finals.

Melbourne have been very successful over the last 28 years. Even without the 2 grand finals that were officially taken off them, they have still won 4 in 28 years, with only Penrith winning one more and equal with Brisbane and Easts. They have certainly been very successful.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

Anyone by any chance has a team list from the steelers trial??

 

[Leighton Craig]

can we keep the conversation to junior reps 2026 since that’s what the thread is called

 

[DragonsTragic]

In my neighbourhood, going to try get there. Will just need to find a teamsheet so I know who I'm looking at.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

ST GEORGE DRAGONS HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP 2026:​

Captain: Seluki Halangahu

Coach: Reece Regan

Last Season: 15th (2-6)

Why they will be competitive: The stats don’t tell the whole story, but St George wasn’t far off the pace last season. With several returning players and key new additions, coach Reece Regan sees the makings of a competitive team.

“Seluki Halangahu is leading a group of six players returning for another campaign,” said Regan.

“Seluki is a ball-playing lock and the heartbeat of the side. He’s a natural-born leader and one of four key players the team is built around. He’s the younger brother of boom Dragons NRL rookie Jacob Halangahu, but Seluki is eager to step out of the shadows and forge his own destiny".

A major off-season addition, Rokko Walker joins the Saints on a four-year deal after building an impressive resume rising through the rugby union ranks. "A versatile ball runner at five-eighth or fullback, he oozes X-factor. If we can get our combinations flowing early, we’ll be one of the teams to watch.”

Key Fixture: The Dragons open the season on the road against Canberra before hosting the Storm in round two. In a draw that features only one of last season’s top-four sides, St George’s biggest challenge will come in round three when they face a strong Sydney Roosters outfit at Henson Park.

Part of a formidable pack, Halangahu is joined by returning backrowers Jet Peagram and Khaled Elmasri. Whether on the edge or in the middle, the Patrician Brothers Blacktown duo is on track for a big season.

Out wide, Maddox Barton offers plenty of height and strength. Nicknamed “Phar Lap,” the Dubbo recruit excels in tough carries and gaining significant metres up the middle to relieve the pack.

As I posted earlier if Walker played 5/8 in Yawnion he is the prime play maker. So half in League. But looks like new coach Reece Regan wants him at pivot to utilize his running game. Also in Yawnion the half does most of the general kicking. Surely Regan is aware of this?

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

ILLAWARRA STEELERS HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP 2026:​

Captain: TBA

Coach: Jy Clapham

Last Season: Minor premiers (7-1)

Why they will be competitive: New coach Jy Clapham takes over from Jamie Szczerbanik, who guided the Steelers to last season’s minor premiership before they bowed out in a thriller against South Sydney in the second week of the finals.

“It was the same for the club in the Andrew Johns Cup last year,” said Clapham, who assumes the head coaching position after assistant roles in Matts and Harvey Norman Women’s.

“Illawarra South Coast finished on top before missing out on the decider. That said, we have quite a few of those boys coming across to Matts this year, joining six who are returning for another season.”

With no shortage of talent, Clapham believes his squad is once again poised to mount a challenge for the title.

“Everyone knows what can be achieved,” Clapham explained.

“It’s a matter of remaining focused, doing the work, and letting the results take care of themselves. We have more depth this year, and with only three bottom-age players there’s more size across the park".

Players to Watch: Recently signed until the end of 2028, Oliver Burton has been rewarded for a breakout season in last year’s Harold Matts. A supreme athlete, the fullback has added size over the summer and is known for his work in areas that often go unnoticed.

Rated among the top hookers in the competition, Asher Chapman represented City under-16s last year. A Kiama junior, he’s quick off the mark and his service is second to none.

Sporting a familiar name, Fletcher Couchman is the younger brother of NRL twins Ryan and Toby. A running five-eighth, he wins his spot after impressing the selectors in all the effort areas.

Api Amone is one to watch in the pack. A ball-playing lock, the Wests Devils junior also has the versatility and power to hold his own as a key middle forward.

Another from the Couchie clan.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

ST GEORGE DRAGONS S G BALL CUP 2026:​

Captain: TBA

Coach: Darren Nicholls

Last Season: 14th (1-1-7)

Why they will be competitive: Coming off their 2024 grand final victory, last season was a major disappointment for the Dragons.

“Last season was tough, but that said, one of the goals is to prepare players for the next level and we saw some players move up to Jersey Flegg,” said returning coach Darren Nicholls.

In a major blow, Saints will be without key playmaker Jasias Ah Kee after the highly rated prospect suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.

“It’s not ideal,” said Nicholls. “While he will be difficult to replace, it does create an opportunity for someone to step up and make the most of their chance.

“There’s been plenty of competition for spots across the board during the pre-season. We’ve worked hard on defence to improve on last year, and towards the end of January we’ll look to work on our shape and help the playmakers settle into their roles.”

Players to Watch: In a boost to the pack, Cooper Young joins from Balmain, and according to all reports, the rising enforcer will bring a stronger physical presence this year.

Cornelius Pupualii arrives from Penrith after a season at centre in Harold Matts. Known for his brute strength and damaging fend, the centre promises to be a handful for defenders.

Lorima Saukuru is set to start at fullback. Recruited from Parramatta, he’s a known livewire and is a great communicator in defence.

With Ah Kee sidelined, Hills Bulls playmaker Lachlan Gardiner gets his chance to assume the organisational duties. Fit and raring to go, he’ll be out to impress.

Key Fixtures: In a challenging start to their campaign, the Dragons face four of last season’s finalists in their opening four fixtures.

They kick off the season in Canberra, then host Melbourne in round two, followed by a match against the Sydney Roosters. Adding further spice, they then meet the Sharks in a derby clash that could very well determine their finals prospects.


Cornelius Pupualii for St Marys U17s last season. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Without key play maker Jasias Ah Kee, heres hoping Lachlan Gardiner can step up to the plate.