Harold Matts & SG Ball - 2025 season

[Rooster_6]

Round 4 Harold Matts
Sydney Roosters 34 defeat Penrith Panthers 0

Another big win for the Roosters U17's, scoreline maybe a little deceptive of how the game played out though. Roosters very dominant in all parts of the game in the first half, deserved to go in 16-0 up. Second half though most of the game was played down in the Roosters end, between the 36th & 48th minute mark of second half (halves are only 30mins) the Roosters only played the ball twice and had to repel multiple sets on their own goal line, some of their own doing from penalties and errors and other just repeat set pressure and a very strong breeze that made it hard to kick out of yardage. Again very impressive work as a unit defensively to hold the opposition to 0 given the opportunities they had to score.


Best on Ground
3 - Charlie Webb - The 5/8 scored a try and set two up in what was a nice display of his running game and speed. The try he scored was an interecept on a loose bouncing pass where he ran 60m to score under the posts, good show of speed. The first try he set up was a nice show on the inside, play outside, Rodwell who was playing centre held the ball up well to give his winger enough time to finish, was a nicely executed play. Second try he set up was in combo with his dummy half Gifford who put him through off a short ball around the ruck, again Webb showed good speed to break into the backfield and returned the favour to set up Gifford who was backing up in support

2 - Marquis Sando - The tall lock forward seems to have some really nice skills, also seems to read the game well and understands how to run into space. Knows how to find his front in yardage and had a really nice run down a short side where he had to fight hard to get the ball down for a good try.

1 - Roman Leilua - The prop off the bench came on and provided a lot of energy, good strong carries all game. Limited minutes but I thought he did a really good job coming off the bench.


Other thoughts
- Hard to pick BOG this week as we really didn't have much possession to show off in the 2nd half.
- Congratulations to Aloysius Va'a who made his debut in the Round 4 game, didn't see a whole lot of minutes but looked very comfortable out there, steam rolled a Panthers defender in his first carry.
- Te Rore scored a really powerful try again, just too big. But was really impressed in the 47th minutes after defending for what felt like an eternity he was out on the wing making a cover tackle. For a big prop that's a serious effort play.
- Overall another really good defensive display from the team and just too powerful in attack, felt like they maybe switched off in the 2nd half a bit, some loose passes and offloads that resulted in turnover of possession.

[Rooster_6]

Round 6 SG Ball
Sydney Roosters 25 defeat Cronulla Sharks 14

Was an enjoyable game to watch, not a heap of errors, good physicality and a good contest. Roosters went in at half time up 13-6 thanks to a very fast start being up 12-0 within 7minutes, Cronulla came out strong after half time and put us under a lot of pressure but it was a much improved defensive performance from us. In the end Roosters always looked good for the win and just had a bit too much power through the middle.

Best on Ground
3 - James Finegan - If you love defence I would recommend giving this game a watch. He put together a whole season worth of highlights in one game, just absolutely snapping every Cronulla player that came his way. Think he’s comfortably my favourite player in this side, the hit man who must be no more than 70kgs ringing wet. I’m so interested to see how he continues to develop, started the game on the right edge second row before shifting to lock.

2 - Kanaan Magele - The starting prop set the standard for the game and was absolute destruction in his first stint. Scored a barge over try in the 7th minute, made a 60m linebreak not long after and every carry was a good 15m carry with plenty of post contact drive. Got great speed and acceleration for a big guy and some really nice footwork.

1 - Phillip Lavakeiaho - Again just super impressive, played long minutes in both halves, just continually destructive with his ball carrying, scored another barge over try in the 2nd minute of the game, works hard in defence and seems to be a real leader amongst the team. I haven’t seen any numbers but he must be our leading try scorer. Along with Magele in the first half just absolutely dominated the Sharks pack in yardage.

Other thoughts
- Toby Rodwell was great again, really good organisation of the side, threw a beautiful cut out for a try that got called back but looked dubious, went off for a HIA then came back minutes before half time only to kick a 40/20 and then nail a field goal to take us in 13-6.
- Kynan Toevai again off the bench deserve a shout out, always has a good carry, scored a nice try running a line off his dummy half and works hard in defence.
- Jax Allen, again couple of poor kicks but everything else just excellent, good scoots from dummy half, set up a try, scored a try off his own kick and just everywhere in defence.
- Wasn’t really a game for outside backs today, but William Pappas made his SG Ball debut and whilst most of his work was in yardage I really liked his intent with the ball, looks to have good acceleration and seemed to thrive on the physicality of the game.
- EJ Mahu-Delamere - The winger had some really good carries in yardage today, was a real grind of a game so similar not many opportunities to show off in attack but did all the hard work coming out of his own end.
- Massive game next week against the 5 & 1 Balmain Tigers, a loss would most likely spell the end of finals hopes. A win would put them in a strong position with a game against the winless Warriors and mid-table Bulldogs to follow to round out the season.

[A Country Member]

Great analysis r6.
I’d love to get a similar synopsis for nsw cup, if you can?

[King Salvo]

Not sure of the full complement of the Jersey Flegg and NSW cup squads but some of the SG Ball players could be backing up tomorrow with the injury toll - Jersey Flegg at least ?

[Rooster_6]

Great analysis r6.
I’d love to get a similar synopsis for nsw cup, if you can?

That’s the plan mate, hopefully be able to provide a little more detail on individual performances as well.

I try to steer clear of over analysing or being critical of the young kids but will provide a little more balance on the NSW Cup side.

[A Country Member]

That’s the plan mate, hopefully be able to provide a little more detail on individual performances as well.

I try to steer clear of over analysing or being critical of the young kids but will provide a little more balance on the NSW Cup side.

Keep it up. You do a good job.

While I’m at it, perhaps you could even do it for NRL??

[ARD]

Round 6 SG Ball
Sydney Roosters 25 defeat Cronulla Sharks 14

Was an enjoyable game to watch, not a heap of errors, good physicality and a good contest. Roosters went in at half time up 13-6 thanks to a very fast start being up 12-0 within 7minutes, Cronulla came out strong after half time and put us under a lot of pressure but it was a much improved defensive performance from us. In the end Roosters always looked good for the win and just had a bit too much power through the middle.

Best on Ground
3 - James Finegan - If you love defence I would recommend giving this game a watch. He put together a whole season worth of highlights in one game, just absolutely snapping every Cronulla player that came his way. Think he’s comfortably my favourite player in this side, the hit man who must be no more than 70kgs ringing wet. I’m so interested to see how he continues to develop, started the game on the right edge second row before shifting to lock.

2 - Kanaan Magele - The starting prop set the standard for the game and was absolute destruction in his first stint. Scored a barge over try in the 7th minute, made a 60m linebreak not long after and every carry was a good 15m carry with plenty of post contact drive. Got great speed and acceleration for a big guy and some really nice footwork.

1 - Phillip Lavakeiaho - Again just super impressive, played long minutes in both halves, just continually destructive with his ball carrying, scored another barge over try in the 2nd minute of the game, works hard in defence and seems to be a real leader amongst the team. I haven’t seen any numbers but he must be our leading try scorer. Along with Magele in the first half just absolutely dominated the Sharks pack in yardage.

Other thoughts
- Toby Rodwell was great again, really good organisation of the side, threw a beautiful cut out for a try that got called back but looked dubious, went off for a HIA then came back minutes before half time only to kick a 40/20 and then nail a field goal to take us in 13-6.
- Kynan Toevai again off the bench deserve a shout out, always has a good carry, scored a nice try running a line off his dummy half and works hard in defence.
- Jax Allen, again couple of poor kicks but everything else just excellent, good scoots from dummy half, set up a try, scored a try off his own kick and just everywhere in defence.
- Wasn’t really a game for outside backs today, but William Pappas made his SG Ball debut and whilst most of his work was in yardage I really liked his intent with the ball, looks to have good acceleration and seemed to thrive on the physicality of the game.
- EJ Mahu-Delamere - The winger had some really good carries in yardage today, was a real grind of a game so similar not many opportunities to show off in attack but did all the hard work coming out of his own end.
- Massive game next week against the 5 & 1 Balmain Tigers, a loss would most likely spell the end of finals hopes. A win would put them in a strong position with a game against the winless Warriors and mid-table Bulldogs to follow to round out the season.

Good gear, cheers

[Vasco]

Disappointing start to the season for the Flegg side.

["gaz"]

Round 4 Harold Matts
Sydney Roosters 34 defeat Penrith Panthers 0

Another big win for the Roosters U17's, scoreline maybe a little deceptive of how the game played out though. Roosters very dominant in all parts of the game in the first half, deserved to go in 16-0 up. Second half though most of the game was played down in the Roosters end, between the 36th & 48th minute mark of second half (halves are only 30mins) the Roosters only played the ball twice and had to repel multiple sets on their own goal line, some of their own doing from penalties and errors and other just repeat set pressure and a very strong breeze that made it hard to kick out of yardage. Again very impressive work as a unit defensively to hold the opposition to 0 given the opportunities they had to score.


Best on Ground
3 - Charlie Webb - The 5/8 scored a try and set two up in what was a nice display of his running game and speed. The try he scored was an interecept on a loose bouncing pass where he ran 60m to score under the posts, good show of speed. The first try he set up was a nice show on the inside, play outside, Rodwell who was playing centre held the ball up well to give his winger enough time to finish, was a nicely executed play. Second try he set up was in combo with his dummy half Gifford who put him through off a short ball around the ruck, again Webb showed good speed to break into the backfield and returned the favour to set up Gifford who was backing up in support

2 - Marquis Sando - The tall lock forward seems to have some really nice skills, also seems to read the game well and understands how to run into space. Knows how to find his front in yardage and had a really nice run down a short side where he had to fight hard to get the ball down for a good try.

1 - Roman Leilua - The prop off the bench came on and provided a lot of energy, good strong carries all game. Limited minutes but I thought he did a really good job coming off the bench.


Other thoughts
- Hard to pick BOG this week as we really didn't have much possession to show off in the 2nd half.
- Congratulations to Aloysius Va'a who made his debut in the Round 4 game, didn't see a whole lot of minutes but looked very comfortable out there, steam rolled a Panthers defender in his first carry.
- Te Rore scored a really powerful try again, just too big. But was really impressed in the 47th minutes after defending for what felt like an eternity he was out on the wing making a cover tackle. For a big prop that's a serious effort play.
- Overall another really good defensive display from the team and just too powerful in attack, felt like they maybe switched off in the 2nd half a bit, some loose passes and offloads that resulted in turnover of possession.

Pretty much spot on Rooster_6,
Charlie Webb absolutely killed it, special mention to Jackson Rodwell who always plays a good game