Promising Juniors Thread.

Morgan

Morgan

SGI NSW Cup
Eric said:

Inside Parramatta Eels’ reinvigorated junior pathways system​

Despite boasting one of the NRL’s largest breeding grounds, Parramatta have struggled to keep up with Penrith. But former coach Nathan Brown has transformed them into a development powerhouse.​

Can't share the article because it's behind a pay wall.
I don't often flog my own horse but I will in this case. When it first became known Browny wasn't going to be a head coach anymore, I screamed for the club to do everything it could to hire him as the recruitment and retention manager. As usual, the board had other ideas and here we are today.....
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Doesn't look like any of the development players are going to be promoted. Coric is out for the season and Shereb isn't NSW Cup standard.
 
RedVHeartbeat

RedVHeartbeat

SGI NSW Cup
Two of our St George juniors have made the NSW Combined High Schools team to play the nationals. Both attend Endeavour Sport High and play for the Kogarah Cougars, one is giant prop Loko Tonga the other is Cyrus Stanley-Traill, nephew of Chase and Kyle. Half Kade Reed – Illawarra Sports High also made the squad. Big wraps on this boys organizing skills.
 
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Morgan

Morgan

SGI NSW Cup
RedVHeartbeat said:
Two of our St George juniors have made the NSW Combined High Schools team to play the nationals. Both attend Endeavour Sport High and play for the Kogarah Cougars, one is giant prop Loko Tonga the other is Cyrus Stanley-Traill, nephew of Chase and Kyle. Half Kade Reed – Illawarra Sports High also made the squad. Big wraps on this boys organizing skills.
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What position does Cyrus Stanley play?
 
Eric

Eric

Staff

St George or Illawarra players in the top 50 schoolboys:​

Jacob Halangahu​

State: NSWCCC
Position: Second row
Affiliation: St George Illawarra
School: Patrician Brothers College, Blacktown.
Another member of the Dragons’ Harold Matthews team, Halangahu was a member of the Junior Blues squad last year.

Cyrus Stanley-Traill​

State: NSWCHS
Position: Second row
Affiliation: St George Illawarra
School: Endeavour Sports High School
The nephew of former Dragons stars Chase and Kyle Stanley, Cirus was on the Bulldogs books before he was lured to the Dragons and has played in the back row for their Harold Matthews side.

Finau Latu​

State: NSWCCC
Position: Lock
Affiliation:St George Illawarra
School: Patrician Brothers College, Blacktown.
The nephew of former Test forward and boxing champion Solomon Haumono was at the centre of a tug-of-war involving three clubs. St George Illawarra eventually won the day.

Kade Reed​

State: NSWCHS
Position: Halfback
Affiliation: St George Illawarra
School: Illawarra Sports High School
A crafty half who was the chief playmaker for the Illawarra Steelers’ Harold Matthews side this season. Smart head on his shoulders with a good kicking game.

Loko Pasifika Tonga​

State: NSWCHS
Position: Prop
Affiliation: St George llawarra
School: Endeavour Sports High School
Tonga was recruited out of Queensland by St George Illawarra and handed a long-term deal. Has been compared to Melbourne powerhouse Nelson Asofa-Solomona due to his physical dimensions - he stands at 194cm and weighs 122kg.

Hayden Buchanan​

State: NSWCHS
Position: Centre
Affiliation: St George Illawarra
School: Kiama High School
Buchanan is a local junior who has signed a long-term deal with St George Illawarra. Was a member of the Steelers’ Harold Matthews side this season.
I didn't check every other team but to have 6 in the top 50 is very impressive. Over double the average. Not too confident in Tonga. I remember Jake Stockwell and Eddie Blacker. In the lower grades where they were so big, they excelled but in the open age when they weren't so much bigger than the average, they weren't first grade standard. Just my views. Hopefully this bloke can buck the trend.
 
Eric

Eric

Staff

NSW U19 NRL CONTRACTED PLAYERS​

Savelio Tamale​

Age: 18
Club: St George Illawarra
Position: centre
Contract status: 2024
Signed with the Dragons this year after being part of the NSW Waratahs squad. Started the season playing at SG Ball before progressing to Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup.

Nicholas Tsougranis​

Age: 19
Club: St George Illawarra
Position: Second row
Contract status: 2025
A St George junior who has progressed through the grades. Co-captained St George’s SG Ball squad this year before making his NSW Cup debut in round 14.
 
RedVHeartbeat

RedVHeartbeat

SGI NSW Cup
Eric said:
Hopefully this bloke can buck the trend.
Click to expand...
He will Eric Eric you can bank on it. He has ball skills and is a strong round legs defender. Above all I like his enthusiasm and work ethic. He is still at school remember yet has flown thru our grades.. like Savelio Tamale and Nicholas Quinn.
 
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RedVHeartbeat

RedVHeartbeat

SGI NSW Cup
Eric said:

St George or Illawarra players in the top 50 schoolboys:​

Jacob Halangahu​

State: NSWCCC
Position: Second row
Affiliation: St George Illawarra
School: Patrician Brothers College, Blacktown.
Another member of the Dragons’ Harold Matthews team, Halangahu was a member of the Junior Blues squad last year.

Cyrus Stanley-Traill​

State: NSWCHS
Position: Second row
Affiliation: St George Illawarra
School: Endeavour Sports High School
The nephew of former Dragons stars Chase and Kyle Stanley, Cirus was on the Bulldogs books before he was lured to the Dragons and has played in the back row for their Harold Matthews side.

Finau Latu​

State: NSWCCC
Position: Lock
Affiliation:St George Illawarra
School: Patrician Brothers College, Blacktown.
The nephew of former Test forward and boxing champion Solomon Haumono was at the centre of a tug-of-war involving three clubs. St George Illawarra eventually won the day.

Kade Reed​

State: NSWCHS
Position: Halfback
Affiliation: St George Illawarra
School: Illawarra Sports High School
A crafty half who was the chief playmaker for the Illawarra Steelers’ Harold Matthews side this season. Smart head on his shoulders with a good kicking game.

Loko Pasifika Tonga​

State: NSWCHS
Position: Prop
Affiliation: St George llawarra
School: Endeavour Sports High School
Tonga was recruited out of Queensland by St George Illawarra and handed a long-term deal. Has been compared to Melbourne powerhouse Nelson Asofa-Solomona due to his physical dimensions - he stands at 194cm and weighs 122kg.

Hayden Buchanan​

State: NSWCHS
Position: Centre
Affiliation: St George Illawarra
School: Kiama High School
Buchanan is a local junior who has signed a long-term deal with St George Illawarra. Was a member of the Steelers’ Harold Matthews side this season.
I didn't check every other team but to have 6 in the top 50 is very impressive. Over double the average. Not too confident in Tonga. I remember Jake Stockwell and Eddie Blacker. In the lower grades where they were so big, they excelled but in the open age when they weren't so much bigger than the average, they weren't first grade standard. Just my views. Hopefully this bloke can buck the trend.
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The most heartening aspect of the Dragons boys is half are ST GEORGE JUNIORS.. along with Tsougranis, Nicholas Quinn and Corey Ackers. Who said St George does not have the personel to go it alone again in the future.
 
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Chris M

Chris M

SGI NSW Cup
New No.7???
Dragons halfback Lykhan King-Togia was impressive in what was just his second NSW Cup game and his first start. The young playmaker, who started the year in SG Ball, set up two tries, got a linebreak, four tackle busts and 96 running metres. He also made 29 tackles but did have four misses.
 
Ryan

Ryan

SGI Jersey Flegg
Chris M said:
New No.7???
Dragons halfback Lykhan King-Togia was impressive in what was just his second NSW Cup game and his first start. The young playmaker, who started the year in SG Ball, set up two tries, got a linebreak, four tackle busts and 96 running metres. He also made 29 tackles but did have four misses.
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Problem solved!
For a playmaker to go from SG Ball to NSW Cup and play well in NSW Cup within a year is very impressive. And rare.
 
RedVHeartbeat

RedVHeartbeat

SGI NSW Cup
Chris M said:
New No.7???
Dragons halfback Lykhan King-Togia was impressive in what was just his second NSW Cup game and his first start. The young playmaker, who started the year in SG Ball, set up two tries, got a linebreak, four tackle busts and 96 running metres. He also made 29 tackles but did have four misses.
Click to expand...
Been thinking the same thing. I dont see any natural play making ability but he is a livewire with ball in hand. Give him a crack with Amone his halves partner. Nothing to lose. Still saying King-Togia and Nicholas Quinn will be our future long term combo, with only Kade Reed pushing the pair.
 
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Chris M

Chris M

SGI NSW Cup
RedVHeartbeat said:
Been thinking the same thing. I dont see any natural play making ability but he is a livewire with ball in hand. Give him a crack with Amone his halves partner. Nothing to lose. Still saying King-Togia and Nicholas Quinn will be our future long term combo.
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Not this year. Throwing young players in the deep end more often sets them back. But I agree have him train with the top 30 over the off season and then at least a development contract.
 
Chris M

Chris M

SGI NSW Cup
Eric said:

NSW U19 NRL CONTRACTED PLAYERS​

Savelio Tamale​

Age: 18
Club: St George Illawarra
Position: centre
Contract status: 2024
Signed with the Dragons this year after being part of the NSW Waratahs squad. Started the season playing at SG Ball before progressing to Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup.

Nicholas Tsougranis​

Age: 19
Club: St George Illawarra
Position: Second row
Contract status: 2025
A St George junior who has progressed through the grades. Co-captained St George’s SG Ball squad this year before making his NSW Cup debut in round 14.
Click to expand...
Tamale is an absolute gun! Big, fast, strong, runs hard.
 
Ryan

Ryan

SGI Jersey Flegg
Partner in crime goes pretty well as well.

Nicholas Tsougranis​

Age: 19
Club: St George Illawarra
Position: Second row
Contract status: 2025
A St George junior who has progressed through the grades. Co-captained St George’s SG Ball squad this year before making his NSW Cup debut in round 14.
Click to expand...
 
Chris M

Chris M

SGI NSW Cup

Best NRL prospects at every club​

SAVELIO TAMALE​

Age: 18
Position: Centre
Upgraded to a top-30 spot next year. Scored an outstanding solo try in the recent under-19s Origin game for NSW. Signed with the Dragons this year after being part of the NSW Waratahs squad.

NICHOLAS TSOUGRANIS​

Age: 19
Position: Back-rower
A rare St George local product who has come through the junior pathways. Co-captained St George’s SG Ball side and has already played NSW Cup. Contracted until the end of 2025, the Dragons have high hopes for Tsougranis.
 
Morgan

Morgan

SGI NSW Cup
Chris M said:

Best NRL prospects at every club​

SAVELIO TAMALE​

Age: 18
Position: Centre
Upgraded to a top-30 spot next year. Scored an outstanding solo try in the recent under-19s Origin game for NSW. Signed with the Dragons this year after being part of the NSW Waratahs squad.

NICHOLAS TSOUGRANIS​

Age: 19
Position: Back-rower
A rare St George local product who has come through the junior pathways. Co-captained St George’s SG Ball side and has already played NSW Cup. Contracted until the end of 2025, the Dragons have high hopes for Tsougranis.
Click to expand...
Tsougranis leg speed is phenomenal. Must be a nightmare to try and tackle.
 
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