Promising Juniors Thread.

[AyiosYiorgos]

Just some info i found on some juniors we currently have on our books

Marley McLaren (PBC SHS) He has left School now..​

Marley McLaren. Picture: Liam Kidston
With the responsibility of being Burleigh’s primary playmaker, halfback McLaren rose to the occasion this season to run the premiership-winning outfit with aplomb.
This decade the Dragons-aligned half has learned from the best at school level — Zane Harrison and Tom Weaver — and is set to put his stamp on the side after being a part of Walters Cup (Year 10) and Langer Trophy premiership teams over the past two years.

LORIMA SAUKURU
Guildford Owls - Parramatta U19s Gold - Fullback
He gives the team an X-factor at the back. Able to break a game open in one ply. Skilful player with lightning speed and a big-game player. Strong in the clutch.

Lorima Saukuru (left) and Michael Fililva of the Guildford Owls U17s Gold. Picture: Parramatta JRL
MICHAEL FILIVIA
Guildford Owls – Parramatta U19s Gold - Prop
Skilful for a big player. A gamebreaker who takes the big carries. A great offload that he can produce out of nowhere to free up his fast men.

Tom Kirk (Illawarra Steelers): Stands at a whopping 195cm tall. The Gerringong product outside back cuts an imposing figure with his strength and athleticism.

JAEDEN KAVANA (ST MARYS)
Second row
An absolute weapon on the edge, Jaeden’s power and skills with the ball have been recognised by the St George Dragons, where he was named captain of this year’s Harold Matthews Cup team.

CORNELIUS PUPUALII (ST MARYS)
Fullback
Equally effective at centre or in the No.1 jersey, Cornelius is tough to contain in open space. A noted finisher, he recently committed to the Dragons pathways for the 2026 season.

JASAIS AH KEE (MINCHINBURY)
Five-eighth
If being crowned St George Dragons Harold Matthews Cup player of the year isn’t enough, the sizzling playmaker also smashed the lights out for NSWCCC. Playing well above his weight, Jasais is a human highlight reel and has impressed with every call up to the Jets’ senior A-grade side.

LINO TAMASEU (MINCHINBURY)
Centre
Lino joins a long list of Penrith locals in the St George ranks. Hits the ball hard and can find a gap – is just as damaging playing back row.

 

[Leighton Craig]

Here’s a couple more juniors from the
St George pathways

CHRISTOPHER MOUGIOS

Joins the Dragons as a year-young player along with brother Stelios. A captain of the Brighton Seagulls U15s and a real leader at five-eighth who will push his claims over the off-season for some minutes at this level.

SELUKI HALANGAHU

Dragons fans will be excited to see another Halangahu coming through the pathways.

The younger brother of NRL debutant Jacob, 'Luka' enters his second year of Matts and was a beast for the Dapto U16s, leading them to a title.


KYE SAUMAITOGA

In the squad for a second season. Didn't get a shot last year but will be pushing his case after impressing for Renown United as a talented hooker. Not the biggest, but never scared to throw his body on the line in defence.

LEONYDIS TAVANA

Versatile player from the Brighton Seagulls who can play who can play lock or five-eighth. Has experience as a captain and those leadership skills should see him play a prominent role this season.

SIONE KAVALIKU

Second rower who links with the Dragons from the strong junior nursery at the Hills Bulls. Adds a powerful element to their forward pack, whether he's starting or giving them plenty off the bench.

IVERSON PAUGA

He rises up to SG Ball level following on from a Harold Matthews campaign with St George. Talented winger in the right system to get a good crack at it after helping Guildford win an U17s title this year.

CHARLIE WOOLF

A new face at St George after previously spending time in the Manly and North Sydney pathways. We've seen him at lock and second row, but can make an impact in whatever role is asked of him.


KAYZON KEY

We've seen St George discover talent in Queensland, and Kayzon Key could be the latest. Speedy outside back with good size who gave Stretton an aerial target and aggression in defence last season.

 

[User]

I've heard a lot of about some of these, mostly from reading comments from you and TheRev. Like:

• Jasais Ah Kee
• Api Amone
• Oliver Burton
• Asher Chapman
• Creighton Meafou
• Zane Timmins
• Rokko Walker
• Alex Pupualii
• Cornelius Pupualii

Apart from those which are the standouts in your opinion? Or are some of that list overrated in your opinion?

None are overrated they are all just identified as standout talents.
The only unknown there is Maddox Barton a country boy with speed to burn. It will interesting to see how he goes in Matts comp for Dragons.

 

[Leighton Craig]

I can’t find any info on Xavier Laidlaw does anyone know what position he plays atleast

 

[User]

I can’t find any info on Xavier Laidlaw does anyone know what position he plays atleast

Try Xavier Vaivai
Mums name/ dads name

 

[User]

I can’t find any info on Xavier Laidlaw does anyone know what position he plays atleast

 

[Mailroomsgi]

Tausala + Vai Vai centre pairing in Matt’s is Superb

Steelers love producing a gun outside back

 

[User]

A bit of size comparison between Charlie and Hayden.

 

[User]

Tausala + Vai Vai centre pairing in Matt’s is Superb

Steelers love producing a gun outside back

Destin wing, Hunter centre.

 

[TheRev]

A bit if size comparison between Charlie and Hayden.
View attachment 834

gosh I realise I don't even recognise Charlie without his headgear lol.. thats him on the left, doesnt look a lot bigger than Buchanan there, maybe a little thicker all over, but it might be the way he runs into gaps, I just never see him get monstered in contact.

Love seeing him back training again!

Edit: Guy in centre is Sam Goodman (a boxer).

 

[Eric]

gosh I realise I don't even recognise Charlie without his headgear lol.. thats him on the left, doesnt look a lot bigger than Buchanan there, maybe a little thicker all over, but it might be the way he runs into gaps, I just never see him get monstered in contact.

Love seeing him back training again, whos the guy in centre?

If Hayden has grown a bit, a bit taller and thicker, so he doesn't get monstered as much or not at all....... The one concern I had about his future in the NRL erased. As good as Val is at centre, might be time to move him to the wing to accommodate Hayden. Or move Hayden to wing but I think hard running is more a feature of Vals game while Hayden is more elusive.

 

[Justadragon]

If Hayden has grown a bit, a bit taller and thicker, so he doesn't get monstered as much or not at all....... The one concern I had about his future in the NRL erased. As good as Val is at centre, might be time to move him to the wing to accommodate Hayden. Or move Hayden to wing but I think hard running is more a feature of Vals game while Hayden is more elusive.

100% size was always the problem with him.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

TRAIN AND TRIAL SQUAD '26: Shadi Hammoud, Daniel Meafou, Ryan Hutchinson, Jacob Webster, Jarrah Treweek, Dylan Coutts, Haele Finau.

 

[Dragons Chris]

TRAIN AND TRIAL SQUAD '26: Shadi Hammoud, Daniel Meafou, Ryan Hutchinson, Jacob Webster, Jarrah Treweek, Dylan Coutts, Haele Finau.

A few very promising names in that. And Haele Finau still in with a shot of playing NRL?

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

Or move Hayden to wing but I think hard running is more a feature of Vals game while Hayden is more elusive.

Fraid I am the outlier here re Buck despite him hailing from the heart of Saints territory. Not ready for the NRL as I dont see him as a team player, prefers to hold onto the leather when a pass is more vital to an unmarked support. Also dont see him as elusive and his defense needs some work. Wing perhaps if he bulks up some more. Charlie is Vals successor for mine with another yr or two of development needed first..

 

[Eric]

Fraid I am the outlier here re Buck despite him hailing from the heart of Saints territory. Not ready for the NRL as I dont see him as a team player, prefers to hold onto the leather when a pass is more vital to an unmarked support. Also dont see him as elusive and his defense needs some work. Wing perhaps if he bulks up some more. Charlie is Vals successor for mine with another yr or two of development needed first..

Can't agree re-Buchanan. You might have seen more than me but from what I've seen, he's the epitome of a team player. As for Charlie, another at most. I wouldn't discount him playing NRL next season. I saw on another thread U Mug Fan said there is still one spot in the top 30 up for grabs.

 

[RedVHeartbeat]

one spot in the top 30

Only one left! Better be Kolo or equivalent as losing JDB leaves a big hole that currently we cant fill. Hamish perhaps down the track. See one of my all time fave Dragons has been picked as a bookend to start season for the Eels.

 

[Ryan]

Only one left! Better be Kolo or equivalent as losing JDB leaves a big hole that currently we cant fill. Hamish perhaps down the track. See one of my all time fave Dragons has been picked as a bookend to start season for the Eels.

Flanno said 4 spots were open.

 

[Eric]

Flanno said 4 spots were open.

I think it's one out of a number of young, train and trial, players.

 

[User]

Academy Players

Jasais Ah Kee

Api Amone

Mason Andrews

Maddox Barton

Oliver Burton

Asher Chapman

Callum Cooney

Fletcher Couchman

Hunter Fangupo

Noah Fitzgerald

Luka Halangahu

Tayler Humphries

Kapene Karaitiana

Xavier Laidlaw

Marley McLaren

Sonny MacGregor

Creighton Meafou

Cooper Morrison

Mason Phillips

Alex Pupualii

Cornelius Pupualii

Jake Swan

Destin Tausala

Zane Timmins

Rokko Walker

HaydoM8 these are the boys