Junior Reps 2026

[TheRev]

Fitzgerald the Steelers 7 having the worst game ive seen since Lewis the 6 last week.. 2 5th tackle kicks over a tall wingers head into touch, 1 pass to ground that leads to an intercept, and one touch finder not found.. where do I know Noah Fitzgeralds name from? He didnt play HM's last year I just checked.. I know it though..

 

[jodragon40]

Wow last play of the day the bounce of the ball was cruel for the Eels fullback but the chase was great especially that late in the game . How did we win that ? So the Steelers HM Cup team make it 2 in a row and 3 out of 4. Its never over till the final hooter. Well done lads

 

[jodragon40]

Fitzgerald the Steelers 7 having the worst game ive seen since Lewis the 6 last week.. 2 5th tackle kicks over a tall wingers head into touch, 1 pass to ground that leads to an intercept, and one touch finder not found.. where do I know Noah Fitzgeralds name from? He didnt play HM's last year I just checked.. I know it though..

They won can you believe it?

 

[TheRev]

Steelers HM:

• Ok so thankfully captain Api Amone is a late inclusion (missed 2 games thru a high tackle in round 1), but we lose Chapman one of our best couple of players for his HIA last week, kids miss 2 weeks minimum sadly. Positive is it gives Coelho a chance as starting 9. Also halfback Noah Fitzgerald is back, I cant remember much about him but I know the name.. anyway that moves Couchman to the bench and Lewis stays @6 which is a surprise cause he had such a dud game last week I didnt think he would be selected again.
• Anyway.. this is very odd, the BarTV camera is maybe on the roof of the nearby canteen of the local training park, cant see the lines or work out where the field is, we can see goalposts but they from a different field adjacent.. just gonna have to go off the vibe of things.
• Anyway.. Parra kick out on the full and we get first attacking opportunity.. Fitzgerald with the first 5th tackle play.. and kicks it over the sideline on the full..
• After a big set off our line we finally get a penalty and... Fitzgerald doesn't find touch.. oh man.. between him and Lewis as a halves partnership, we could be in strife here.
• Ok but we defend well and get another penalty, and this time were on the attack, Burton making the extra man and getting winger Preston Sager almost over.. but defence too good.. was worried Preston would be suspended last week so glad he's playing.
• Far out Parra for their attacking 5th tackle kick.. from about 15m out, bombs high to land on his wingers chest , like its a 30m kick.. you never see that stuff.. our winger Laidlaw is left grasping for air, completely misjudged everything about defending either the kick or his man.
• Make a good set up field.. good darting run from Coelho and Amone and Tausala also.. Lewis has some space but cant capitalise, final play to Fitzgerald who again chips it over the sideline.. how good.
• Eels go back up field and 5th tackle they decide to run it.. 3on1 on Sager ffs.. Burton does well to get back but the dirt big parra ctr is too strong that close to the line.. 0-8.
• This #2 Laidlow.. doing plenty of work and a strong runner.. but too slow to turn around which becoming an issue.. I wonder if he's actually a ctr.. seems like he has the build for that, but Tausala is the gun ctr prospect inside him.
• Finally have the ball near their line again.. Fitzgerald.. wait for it.. passes the ball well in front of the winger who cant get to it, it hits the ground and gives away the intercept.. wtf r we doing here... Couchman is on but looks like he's playing 6. 0-8 Half Time.
• Finally after half time, 6 more tackles after another Fitzgerald pass is knocked on during a near eels intercept.. on the line the dummy half Te Ra Chase has a nice cut out pass to the raging mullet in Fangupo, the big prop starting on the bench this game. 6-8.
• Burned a few opportunities here, Burton taking some risky plays and Couchman cut down from behind.. bit disappointing to give possession back... and were punished too with Laidlow being beaten 1on1 by his opposite winger again... atleast its in the corner and conversion missed 6-12.
• Back attacking their line and Fitzgerald has dropped it cold catching the dummy half pass... but thankfully the Eels do the same 2 tackles later and we have a scrum on their line.. cant capitalise.. eels go the length, same old story they sort of create a 3on2 and Laidlow goes for the intercept and leaves the winger free in the corner.. not strictly his fault by I have such a disdain for big wingers for this reason, need guys who can change direction rapidly. 6-18 converted from the touchline.
• 7mins to go and down by 12.. we get a penalty on half way and go into attack mode.. Fitzgerald with another of his passes finding the ground.. Burton picks it up and with fends and stepping beats 6 players as he sets up his doppleganger #11 Ruiz who juuust gets it down in the corner.. just... Colho nails the sideline conversion and its 12-18 with 5mins left.
• Couchman head knock.. game stops for a few minutes.. and like last week they r putting some head strapping on and leaving him out there.. this is certainly not 1st grade concussion rules.. but he will be gone 2 weeks gone I would suspect. And that's a real problem because it means Fitzgerald may play next week. When I think about it.. if everyone was fit Chapman is the perfect 7.. but I don't think he's back next week.. but if we can keep our season alive.., 13. Amone, 9. Coehlo, 7. Chapman will be golden.
• So we have some good play here, Amone to Fangupo the 2 middles combining and getting us down field.. then off a 6-again, Lewis is on and gets the ball to the ctr Tausala.. the powerhouse manages to be too strong and getting it down once again on the far touchline... 16-18. Coehlo cant convert.. in injury time now.. 1m left on the clock.
• Amone is too good for this grade, we have a ball go to ground but off the back Amone ten-pins about 6 of them to get us moving forward... then Fangupo with a run.. then Burton with a probing run.. last tackle and Te Ra Chase the Bench 14 with a kick and chase that hits the ground and bounces away from the eels fullback... Te Ra Chase regathers it himself and flicks it to of all players backing up.. its old mate Noah Fitzgerald who holds it this time and sticks it under the posts.. we don't deserve it but we are going to win it lmao.. 22-18... first defeat for the Eels.. our Steelers HM season is still alive.

 

[jodragon40]

Steelers HM:

• Ok so thankfully captain Api Amone is a late inclusion (missed 2 games thru a high tackle in round 1), but we lose Chapman one of our best couple of players for his HIA last week, kids miss 2 weeks minimum sadly. Positive is it gives Coelho a chance as starting 9. Also halfback Noah Fitzgerald is back, I cant remember much about him but I know the name.. anyway that moves Couchman to the bench and Lewis stays @6 which is a surprise cause he had such a dud game last week I didnt think he would be selected again.
• Anyway.. this is very odd, the BarTV camera is maybe on the roof of the nearby canteen of the local training park, cant see the lines or work out where the field is, we can see goalposts but they from a different field adjacent.. just gonna have to go off the vibe of things.
• Anyway.. Parra kick out on the full and we get first attacking opportunity.. Fitzgerald with the first 5th tackle play.. and kicks it over the sideline on the full..
• After a big set off our line we finally get a penalty and... Fitzgerald doesn't find touch.. oh man.. between him and Lewis as a halves partnership, we could be in strife here.
• Ok but we defend well and get another penalty, and this time were on the attack, Burton making the extra man and getting winger Preston Sager almost over.. but defence too good.. was worried Preston would be suspended last week so glad he's playing.
• Far out Parra for their attacking 5th tackle kick.. from about 15m out, bombs high to land on his wingers chest , like its a 30m kick.. you never see that stuff.. our winger Laidlaw is left grasping for air, completely misjudged everything about defending either the kick or his man.
• Make a good set up field.. good darting run from Coelho and Amone and Tausala also.. Lewis has some space but cant capitalise, final play to Fitzgerald who again chips it over the sideline.. how good.
• Eels go back up field and 5th tackle they decide to run it.. 3on1 on Sager ffs.. Burton does well to get back but the dirt big parra ctr is too strong that close to the line.. 0-8.
• This #2 Laidlow.. doing plenty of work and a strong runner.. but too slow to turn around which becoming an issue.. I wonder if he's actually a ctr.. seems like he has the build for that, but Tausala is the gun ctr prospect inside him.
• Finally have the ball near their line again.. Fitzgerald.. wait for it.. passes the ball well in front of the winger who cant get to it, it hits the ground and gives away the intercept.. wtf r we doing here... Couchman is on but looks like he's playing 6. 0-8 Half Time.
• Finally after half time, 6 more tackles after another Fitzgerald pass is knocked on during a near eels intercept.. on the line the dummy half Te Ra Chase has a nice cut out pass to the raging mullet in Fangupo, the big prop starting on the bench this game. 6-8.
• Burned a few opportunities here, Burton taking some risky plays and Couchman cut down from behind.. bit disappointing to give possession back... and were punished too with Laidlow being beaten 1on1 by his opposite winger again... atleast its in the corner and conversion missed 6-12.
• Back attacking their line and Fitzgerald has dropped it cold catching the dummy half pass... but thankfully the Eels do the same 2 tackles later and we have a scrum on their line.. cant capitalise.. eels go the length, same old story they sort of create a 3on2 and Laidlow goes for the intercept and leaves the winger free in the corner.. not strictly his fault by I have such a disdain for big wingers for this reason, need guys who can change direction rapidly. 6-18 converted from the touchline.
• 7mins to go and down by 12.. we get a penalty on half way and go into attack mode.. Fitzgerald with another of his passes finding the ground.. Burton picks it up and with fends and stepping beats 6 players as he sets up his doppleganger #11 Ruiz who juuust gets it down in the corner.. just... Colho nails the sideline conversion and its 12-18 with 5mins left.
• Couchman head knock.. game stops for a few minutes.. and like last week they r putting some head strapping on and leaving him out there.. this is certainly not 1st grade concussion rules.. but he will be gone 2 weeks gone I would suspect. And that's a real problem because it means Fitzgerald may play next week. When I think about it.. if everyone was fit Chapman is the perfect 7.. but I don't think he's back next week.. but if we can keep our season alive.., 13. Amone, 9. Coehlo, 7. Chapman will be golden.
• So we have some good play here, Amone to Fangupo the 2 middles combining and getting us down field.. then off a 6-again, Lewis is on and gets the ball to the ctr Tausala.. the powerhouse manages to be too strong and getting it down once again on the far touchline... 16-18. Coehlo cant convert.. in injury time now.. 1m left on the clock.
• Amone is too good for this grade, we have a ball go to ground but off the back Amone ten-pins about 6 of them to get us moving forward... then Fangupo with a run.. then Burton with a probing run.. last tackle and Te Ra Chase the Bench 14 with a kick and chase that hits the ground and bounces away from the eels fullback... Te Ra Chase regathers it himself and flicks it to of all players backing up.. its old mate Noah Fitzgerald who holds it this time and sticks it under the posts.. we don't deserve it but we are going to win it lmao.. 22-18... first defeat for the Eels.. our Steelers HM season is still alive.

Those two big hits ups, from well inside our half by Amone then Fangupo putting them on the back foot allows the young half to make a cross field probing run.

Then chase looks up sees a staggered line with their fb far too deep pops the ball in between and the footy being a footy takes a terrible bounce fb slips over we regather and turn the ball back inside to support player and score. You gotta love footy dont you?

They were 2nd best for 3/4 of that game but never gave up. What a big win against a previously unbeaten Eels side. Wow.

 

[dragonheart]

Great match write up again TheRev. Thanks

 

[Mug Fan]

this is very odd, the BarTV camera is maybe on the roof of the nearby canteen of the local training park, cant see the lines or work out where the field is, we can see goalposts but they from a different field adjacent.. just gonna have to go off the vibe of things.

Late venue change this morning, probably didn't have time to make the lines.
This is the Eels training facility you can see the players on the balcony.

 

[jodragon40]

Dragons HM:

• Had a lot of early possession on the Sharks line...and couldn't quite convert it.. couldn't find the right pass etc... Sharks came back at us.. but as the sharks attacked our line, Rokko takes the intercept and has the pace to go 70m and score under the dot.. 6-0.
• Had a lot of ball from here and just kept them on the backfoot.. and we were able to capitalise on that retreating defence with Burns > Harper (Ctr) > Barton (Wing) into space.. it should have been a 2on1 try under the sticks but he almost bombed it.. but.. he didn't lol.. he just got there and was able to outstretch an arm as he was tackled in the very corner.. and somehow Rokko converts from the touchline... 12-0.
• Sharks back attacking our line after some penalties.. we rush in and generate an overlap.. but the ball lands in the hands of Barton, but hasn't got the pace to go the length.. and off the back we almost scored with a 20m pass from Rokko but it was forward and missing his winger anyway.. wasted opportunity, but still 12-0.
• Sharks player sinbinned for a lifting tackle (wasn't too bad imo) and off the back Rokko puts his other ctr into space (Fretton) but he fumbles it with the line less than 10m away, and that's half time.
• Still a man down in the 2nd half and off another penalty we are attacking and Rokko puts on some footwork to beat 2 or 3 players and crash over himself, 18-0.
• 2on1 on their line and passes too late and the ball gets knocked to ground.. thankfully off the scrum (sharks still down to 12), Walker gets ctr Fretton the ball in space and he falls over.. thankfully no hand on him is able to go again and score 24-0.
• Back to 13on13, Sharks attacking our line.. Barton again has a near intercept but only manages to get fingertips to it and the pass goes to his opposite winger who is gifted a try, 24-6.
• Had a chance to kick 2 from in front but opted against.. Sharks go on again with a fast running forward thru the front door, 24-12.
• Sharks starting to dominate now cutting us apart mostly through the centre, hooker somehow carries numerous players over 5m to score and its 24-18.
• Managed to go the length in the final minute and put them into the ingoal to hang on for the win.. second win of the season keeps them in the hunt, the sinbin was a huge moment with a lot of our points thru that period, and we took a lot of intercepts... Walker is still our best player a bit rocks and diamonds in terms of his playmaking.. he's probably not a 6 longterm (but maybe he grows into it).. but the side needs someone to create in the halves so it is what it is... 24-18 victory.

How good is that Rocco? Looks very promising.

 

[Mug Fan]

The match winner

 

[jodragon40]

The match winner

Can you believe that? See those poor Eels players heads go down. Sometimes you just got to take your chances.

It appeared to me they took the foot off the accelerator but we were good enough to be close enough. We'll done lads

 

[Mug Fan]

Fitzgerald the Steelers 7 having the worst game ive seen since Lewis the 6 last week.. 2 5th tackle kicks over a tall wingers head into touch, 1 pass to ground that leads to an intercept, and one touch finder not found.. where do I know Noah Fitzgeralds name from? He didnt play HM's last year I just checked.. I know it though..

Fitzy killed it in Schoolboys Cup a year ago, then did his ACL and missed last year.
He's been very average even got hooked in Round 1

 

[jodragon40]

Injuries, but its better to get serious injuries whilst your young and give your body every chance to recover as you grow into a man.

Its a wait and see if they can come back and still keep their dreams alive to one day play 1sts if they are good enough.

 

[TheRev]

Steelers SG:

• Tough start with the eels prop (aus schoolboy Jackson Koina) who I assumed was an outside back... cut us to pieces, then their 5/8 does the same on our tryline.. this is while we are still fresh.. 0-6
• But they drop the dropout and we struggle a bit to take advantage.. but a smart little grubber by hooker Phillips on the 5th.. bounces off the posts into Karaitiana's hands.. lucky but we will take it.. 6-6.
• Next step there is a 3man hip-drop onto the back of Creighton Meafous legs.. I cant tell if its a leg issue or concussion though.. he was eventually able to walk off (edit: he returned later in the match).. but I'm so cranky. and in fact next set they run their 2nd rower through Creighton's missing location and he smashes his way over.. McLaren is filthy about it, and looking at it a few times.. I think the ball is in his lap so it never made ground.. regardless.. 6-12.
• Eels go in again... muscling over Mason Andrews and Weatherall.. bit disappointing but it was a fair burrowing effort.. Weatherall is really on point this year with his aggro too, which is prob not a bad thing, he needs to fire up to make something of his opportunities, 6-18. oh damn I later realised he actually got sin-binned here as the goalkicker was setting up for the kick.. Eels player only gets a warning... so Leeroy has let in a try then gotten himself sinbinned while waiting under the sticks.. that's some effort.
• McLaren so far hard to tell in his first game for us, he's quite a big solid body for a 7 which i like.. always a better chance of success.. has a pretty long boot... very talkative, always pointing and shouting.. just threw a pretty ordinary cutout ball to the winger.. I mean it was a good ball but the winger had nowhere to go and about 3 defenders bundled him into touch.. keen to see how he goes as he gets more time post-injury, been out a long long time.
• Talking about McLaren... off a couple of penalties he throws a short ball to a charging Archie Wheeler who just crashes over to keep us in the game (especially while a man down), 12-18, good conversion from Talbott. No change into half time.
• We competed really well for 10mins after half-time.. had heaps of plays on their line to try and even it up.. but ultimately their fullback cracked us open and put his 5/8 away in Bamblett (yet another aussie schoolboy in their squad), I've counted 3 so far. 12-24.
• Wheelers cracks them open and we nearly go the length to score.. a good grubber from Phillips into the ingoal but noone chasing.. but a few sets later from back on our tryline, the eels winger drops a pass.. Talbott the little foxxy fullback grubbers it forward, picks it up and dashes away for a 70m try. Converts his own try game still alive 18-24.
• Defend for our life.. season on the line.. get the ball back McLaren with a short ball to CMeafou.. who grubbers and it bounces over the eels fullback (just like in HM's) and Talbott the fullback is on the spot to pick it up and score his double.. well well.. locked up with about 7mins to go. Talbott however has either gone down in post try celebration or I dunno.. just a cramp I think/hope.. McLaren converts from in front. 24-24.
• We get a penalty on the next set thru Weatherall, he thanks the ref by yelling at him for the next 10 seconds.. nailing it Leeroy.. had a chance to put the game away, another error from Karaitiana ffs. We had another few chances and more errors.. we charged down their fieldgoal on fulltime and they almost scored through Ryder Talagi (Blaizes brother), guy is an absolute tearaway young forward btw fmd.... all games he's been a beast... but.. we stopped him.. was a rly brave effort and unfortunately didn't get a chance to try and make another play to win it.. but in the end 24-24 was a fair result probably.
• Nonetheless another rly brave effort from Steelers SG Ball, up against 4 sides in a row who were unbeaten.. regardless they need to win 4 out of 4 now to make finals...... brave today. 24-24.

 

[Mug Fan]

Marley's timing was off and he was absolutely gassed in last 10 min but the difference he made in structure and direction of the team was very noticeable.
You can't beat a good 7, something our 4 teams have been lacking.

 

[TheRev]

Fitzy killed it in Schoolboys Cup a year ago, then did his ACL and missed last year.
He's been very average even got hooked in Round 1

ohhhh thats where I knew him.. got hooked in Round 1.. he cant be selected next week imo, or if he is, he cant be doing any of the 5th tackle stuff...

Even if Couchman and Chapman are out.. honestly be better off playing with 12 and like a hooker or someone @7, genuinely everything he touched hit the grass or went over the sideline (or didnt when it needed to), confidence is obviously down but his touch is truly out.. he needs to play more footy I suspect away from the Harold Matts side.... team was very lucky to get the win today for sure.

 

[TheRev]

errr... I hadn't even noticed Roosters CC (Central Coast) had been added to the HM & SG Ball comps.. not sure if that club gets unlimited budget also, or if it will just be local kids.... but I was just looking ahead to the Steelers SG draw, Roosters CC are very beatable as are the Magpies.. its the Bunnies and Dogs games that will be tough.. Bunnies unbeaten so far.

 

[Mailroomsgi]

Just watched the highlights of the games today

Some freakish individual talent by Rokko Walker today

Ollie Burton’s try assist where he skipped across field….. what more can you say about the guy, just a great player

Liked the little snippets I did see of Marley Maclaren, feels like Mason Phillips has gone under the radar but he’s having a good season IMO

There might just be hope yet, Parra are a juggernaut in the pathways programs and we held our own and then some. Might be too little too late for SG ball but the Matt’s there’s certainly some green shoots and more to look out for in the next few weeks

 

[TheRev]

Liked the little snippets I did see of Marley Maclaren, feels like Mason Phillips has gone under the radar but he’s having a good season IMO

There might just be hope yet, Parra are a juggernaut in the pathways programs and we held our own and then some. Might be too little too late for SG ball but the Matt’s there’s certainly some green shoots and more to look out for in the next few weeks

Im rly liking Mason Phillips, I cant talk to him off the field.. but on the field rly nice sized frame for a young hooker, seems smart and fast, talkative and physically big enough to do his tackles.. he stands out to me more than any hooker in recent years thats been in our system (with the exclusion of Chapman and Coehlo in the grade below), but Phillips is next into the reserve grade pipeline... will be in U21s I assume later in the year.

Marley looks like Phillips Doppleganger, same size exactly.. which is again a great sign for a player stepping up to the more physical grades.. I agree with mug felt like its tough to come off a long injury part way thru a short season, but he will get better in weeks to come... but was still good, not sure if he would plau 21's this year or next.. its a shame we dont get to see more of them as the year rolls on.

Unfortunately we've had some tough opponents in early rounds and it may cost both teams a chance at finals (draw can be very unfair with 17 teams and a 9 round comp), but both teams still a chance but SG would have to be perfect from here... its hard as well trying to keep ur best players on the park..

 

[RandomDragon]

Mug Fan If the club was to invest in its own team and call its self St George Illawara Dragons (merging the 2 pathways) what happens to the original 2 clubs? do they just disintegrate into nothing?

To me it seems a bit of a fait acompli that this will happen, especially considering the accommodation you mentioned. Having the 1 team in mats, SG all training out of the new COE, seems like a no brainer. They can always make a case that St George and the Steelers still have teams in Laurie Daley and AJ cup

 

[RandomDragon]

Also, I think Weatherall will find a home at the Bears next season