Promising Juniors Thread.

[RedVHeartbeat]

Loko Jr, Finau Latu, Jake Halangahu, Corey Ackers were all immense, not only strong, powerful with ability to create second-phase play, but also plenty of aggression and passion that we haven't seen in a Dragons jersey for a long time. Is imperative BOD extends them to long term contracts to avoid poaching. Same applies to Jesse Williams who has exceptional offensive skills.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

There has been little said about the halves combo of Shadi Mammoud and Brandon Kikanau. These two were the unsung heroes of the win, Shadi with his terrific kicking game and leadership and Brandon always probing and giving good service to his outside backs. Both are also fine defenders. Another unsung hero was their hooker Isaia Fagalilo.

 

[Just a Mug Fan]

Bit of a pathway players update.

Jake Halangahu T&T 25, SL 26 Top 30, 27 Height 183 Weight 108

Cyrus Stanley-Traill T&T 25, SL 26 Top 30, 27 Height 188 weight 104

Nick Tsougranis SL, 25 top 30, 26 Height 182 Weight 100

Corey Ackers SL, 25 Height short Weight 100kg

Finau Latu Top 30, 25 Height 190 Weight 100

Loko Tonga Top 30, 25 Height 192 Weight 118

Dylan Egan Top 30, 25 Height 182 Weight 95

Hamish Stewart Top 30, 25,26 Height tall Weight

Just to add to above TPH height is 165cm

 

[RedV01]

Just to add to above TPH height is 165cm

165?? That's tiny! Surprised he made it this far.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

165?? That's tiny! Surprised he made it this far.

TPH can use that 165cm to his advantage, to duck in between and under the big blokes. I like this tuff little dude. He never took a backward step bringing back the ball while he held his own in defense, probably saving one when he took head on a big Dog with the line open. Had a hand in at least two of the tries with smart cut out passes, had another on a platter for either Afu or Williams but his small hand was unable to control the offload. I dont think he is as quick as some say as he'd have scored when Loko gave him a clear run. Perhaps he takes a moment to rev up. He has time to add some muscle to that tiny frame which will make him a handful at either hooker or half.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

His forward mates may have stood out but Hutchinson certainly played his part. Is a bit of a work horse and has a good engine as he played 60 mins.

 

[RedV01]

TPH can puy that 165 to his advantage, duck in between the big blokes. I like this little dude. Had a hand in at least two of the tries with smart cut out passes, had another on a platter for either Afu or Williams but he little hand was unable to control the offload. He held his own in defense, probably saved one when a big Dog burst up field and he took him head on. I dont think he is as quick as some say as he shd've scored when Loko gave him in a clear run to the line. Perhaps he takes a moment to rev up. I see his future at hooker or half.

I hope he puts on a growth spurt.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Those that say TPH wont cut it in footy due to his small size need to take a Bex. Mark Shulman played for us from 1971–78 and he was shorter than TPH at 157cm, Perry Haddock also had a long career, including three years with us, he was also 165cm as was Allan Langer.

 

[RedV01]

Those that say TPH wont cut it in footy due to his small size need to take a Bex. Mark Shulman played for us from 1971–78 and he was shorter than TPH at 157cm, Perry Haddock also had a long career, including three years with us, he was also 165cm as was Allan Langer.

If he is an excellent playmaker he might make it. Going to be hard. Will be targeted relentlessly in for defence.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

The Poms used to have tiny half backs that also played long careers. One being Tommy Bishop who play pro league for almost 20 years, both in England and here. He was also a tiny 157cm but chunky and as tuff as teak.That is the kinda body type TPH should be working towards.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

News Corp scribe running his ruler over some junior reps that may be ready for the big time.The only Dragons mentioned were Nick Tsougranis and Finau Latu, no Loko Jr yet his Junior Kangaroo bookend team mate La Salle Va'a was listed. No Jake Halangahu yet he took out the MOM for Ball Cup this year, no Corey Ackers or Jesse Williams. Another Dragon mentioned was Jonah Glover, who we picked up from Brisbane Tigers in the off season but has since been relegated to the Ressies bench, rather unfairly in my view.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

News Corp scribe running his ruler over some junior reps that may be ready for the big time.The only Dragons mentioned were Nick Tsougranis and Finau Latu, no Loko Jr yet his Junior Kangaroo bookend team mate La Salle Va'a was listed. No Jake Halangahu yet he took out the MOM for Ball Cup this year, no Corey Ackers or Jesse Williams. Another Dragon mentioned was Jonah Glover, who we picked up from Brisbane Tigers in the off season but has since been relegated to the Ressies bench, rather unfairly in my view.

Wouldn't take notice of them, majority have no idea about the NRL, so doubt they know much about the juniors, they just ask give me a name or two, position they play and a quick synopsis of the player and write a filler article for their paper..

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

New faces in weekend Flegg match. The injection of impact we needed.

3. Hayden Buchanan

Interchange​

14. Trey Barlow

15. Loko Jr

16. Finau Latu

17. Callum Leikvoll

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

City v Country Under 18s Boys, Saturday 18 May 12.35pm Leichhardt Oval:
City: Hayden Buchanan (Illawarra Steelers), Alex Challenor (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Jezaiah Funa-Luta (Parramatta Eels), Jacob Halangahu (St George Dragons), Jack Hilliar (Newcastle Knights), Cody Hopwood (Newcastle Knights), Finau Latu (St George Dragons), Luke Laulilii (Western Suburbs Magpies), Hokafonu Lemoto (Penrith Panthers), Heamasi Makasini (Western Suburbs Magpies), Zaidas Muagututia (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Kye Raven (Penrith Panthers), Ratu Rinakama (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Toby Rodwell (Sydney Roosters), Cyrus Stanley-Traill (St George Dragons), Connor Votano (Newcastle Knights), Nikora Williams (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Mitchell Woods (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs).

Surprised Jake and Finau are still age eligible. Note how many are of Pacific Islander descent.

 

[GCRV]

City v Country Under 18s Boys, Saturday 18 May 12.35pm Leichhardt Oval:
City: Hayden Buchanan (Illawarra Steelers), Alex Challenor (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Jezaiah Funa-Luta (Parramatta Eels), Jacob Halangahu (St George Dragons), Jack Hilliar (Newcastle Knights), Cody Hopwood (Newcastle Knights), Finau Latu (St George Dragons), Luke Laulilii (Western Suburbs Magpies), Hokafonu Lemoto (Penrith Panthers), Heamasi Makasini (Western Suburbs Magpies), Zaidas Muagututia (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Kye Raven (Penrith Panthers), Ratu Rinakama (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Toby Rodwell (Sydney Roosters), Cyrus Stanley-Traill (St George Dragons), Connor Votano (Newcastle Knights), Nikora Williams (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Mitchell Woods (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs).

Surprised Jake and Finau are still age eligible. Note how many are of Pacific Islander descent.

Why is the Illawarra boy in the City team?

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

New faces in weekend Flegg match. The injection of impact we needed.

3. Hayden Buchanan

Interchange​

14. Trey Barlow

15. Loko Jr

16. Finau Latu

17. Callum Leikvoll

Dragons v Rabbitohs

St George Illawarra Dragons U20 versus South Sydney Rabbitohs U20 match centre includes live scores and updates. Includes official live player and team stats. Run metres, fantasy points scoring.

www.nswrl.com.au

no #16 Finau Latu

 

[RedVictory]

City v Country Under 18s Boys, Saturday 18 May 12.35pm Leichhardt Oval:
City: Hayden Buchanan (Illawarra Steelers), Alex Challenor (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Jezaiah Funa-Luta (Parramatta Eels), Jacob Halangahu (St George Dragons), Jack Hilliar (Newcastle Knights), Cody Hopwood (Newcastle Knights), Finau Latu (St George Dragons), Luke Laulilii (Western Suburbs Magpies), Hokafonu Lemoto (Penrith Panthers), Heamasi Makasini (Western Suburbs Magpies), Zaidas Muagututia (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Kye Raven (Penrith Panthers), Ratu Rinakama (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Toby Rodwell (Sydney Roosters), Cyrus Stanley-Traill (St George Dragons), Connor Votano (Newcastle Knights), Nikora Williams (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Mitchell Woods (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs).

Surprised Jake and Finau are still age eligible. Note how many are of Pacific Islander descent.

Pretty sure Finau was one of the younger ones on the SG ball team was he not?

 

[Chris M]

Pretty sure Finau was one of the younger ones on the SG ball team was he not?

Must be because he's selected in an U18s rep game after excelling in an U19 competition. I wonder if there were any 17 year-olds in either SB Ball team.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Why is the Illawarra boy in the City team?

I missed that.Good question.

 

[Just a Mug Fan]

Why is the Illawarra boy in the City team?

Illawarra and Newcastle classed as city in the male but not in the female.
Also if selected from South Coast Dragons, like Zack Taufa you are classed as country