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

[Rooster_6]

Round 5 Harold Matts

Newcastle Knights 24 defeat Sydney Roosters 20

Not the Roosters best showing of the year, first half the Knights were very good and deserving of their 16-6 lead, we came out much better in the second half and despite being down 24-6 early in the second half did a really good job to claw it back to 24-20 and had some good opportunities to take win in the end. Tristan Ross the fullback had two forwarded passes called back, the first one I thought was a fair call, the second looked very dubious. Think they got a little bit guilty of playing too much catch up footy otherwise they probably would've taken the win... good lessons.


Best on Ground
3 - Charles Te Rore - Again the starting prop just too big too strong, Scored two tries. Had a really good second stint that helped lead the fight back, and carried well in yardage all game.

2 - Baiston Armstong - Move to left centre with Papa missing this game and I thought he looked more at home there, has a really nice right foot swerve that gets him on the outside of his opposing centre very quickly which helped him set up one try and score one himself. Also had some really nice carries where he showed some good upper body strength and agility.

1 - Paula Teisina - The other starting prop I also thought had a really good game, he carried well all game. Stocky prop who also had a really good linebreak, just goes about his work always good for a strong carry and been a consistent performer so far this season for the HM team.


Other thoughts
- I thought Tristan Ross the fullback also had a good game, got pulled up for 2 forward passes but it was his movement on those shapes that created the opportunities, he probably just needs to work on giving himself another yard to balance himself before passing. Really tidy work at the back cleaning up some difficult kicks and was solid on kick returns all game as well.
- Someone needs to have a chat to the boys about the white headgears, need to mix it up a bit.
- I also wonder if at this level whether they could just forego the kicks for goal, was very noticeable in this game that the Newcastle half was taking over 2 minutes for every conversion attempt and when you've got 8 tries in a 60 min game and you're wiping ~3mins off the clock for conversion and players to restart you're talking 24mins, almost half the game where there is no play.

[Rooster_6]

Round 6 Harold Matts

Sydney Roosters 24 defeat Cronulla Sharks 12

Score line a little deceptive, this was a very commanding and in control win for the young Roosters over the 3-1, 5th place Cronulla Sharks. An important game within the context of final ladders spots and finals for both clubs and the Roosters were super impressive on both sides of the ball, they controlled territory for the large majority of the game and defended well under pressure on quite a few occasions. They never really looked in doubt despite the score line being quite close. The number 8 for Cronulla, Sidney Truong was super impressive and a threat all game but outside of that we were very dominant.


Best on Ground
3 - Charlie Webb the starting 5/8 was on absolute fire, just a great display of run first, play direct and play into the line footy from a half. Everything he did from minute one to the end was just at such a high tempo too, it was a seriously impressive performance. Had a great linebreak and pass for a try that was called back for a forward pass, Had another linebreak that lead to our 3rd try of the game, set up another try with a nice short kick that was disallowed due to a "double movement" but just all game looked super dangerous on the back of his running game.

2 - Lachlan Metcalfe the starting halfback was also super impressive in this game, set up the first and last tries of the game with good direct running at the line, show and go to set up Armstrong in the first half and then Tulevu for the last try of the game. Also scored a nice try himself, again similar to Webb just playing really good up tempo direct footy that trouble the Sharks defence all game and between them the shape of the side always looked strong in attack.

1 - Kobi Sitala - The prop off the bench has looked good all season but this was a real break out game for him. The Sharks were matching up pretty well for the first 15 but when the benches came on Sitala and Leilua did a really good job of wrestling some field position back our way. Also scored a nice try in the first half, big dummy from the prop for the linebreak and showed good power to drive over the line for the try.

Other thoughts
- I thought Jeziah Papa looked good at fullback, more room for him to move and looked safe at all times. Will be interesting to see whether they keep Papa there for the rest of the season - unsure why Ross missed the game.
- Charles Te Rore is a super impressive athlete, there was one carry he had from the 10m line up to halfway where he must've broke 5 or 6 tackles, maintained his balance and somehow still had the frame of mind to offload the ball to his fullback at the end of the carry.
- I thought both the wingers Charlie Moore & Filipe Fakauho were solid all game.
- Raiders game next week looks a real important one with the Steelers (undefeated) the following week, with so many teams on 8 points we can probably only afford to drop one more game out of our remaining 3 to be a guarantee for finals footy.

[Rooster_6]

Round 7 Harold Matts

Sydney Roosters 28 defeat Canberra Raiders 16

Roosters jumped out to a 18-0 lead after 9 minutes, just absolutely tearing the Raiders apart. Then they seemed to get a little complacent and for the next 30-40 minutes all they did was defend sets in their own half, poor discipline and silly errors trying trying to take too many shortcuts. Half time Roosters went in 18-16 up and they would hold onto that until they would score a try 10minutes before full time to kick the lead out to 24-16. Then something I've never seen in my time watching footy, we had a 35minute break because out of nowhere the sprinklers switched on and clearly on some kind of automated cycle no one was able to turn them off. Once play resumed Papa scored a nice try to seal the game, I thought the Roosters defence looked strong when it was needed although would be nice if they didn't force themselves into so much defence.


Best on Ground
3 - Payton Gifford the starting hooker was very damaging early in the game, got out of dummy half with a nice show and go for the first try, pulled off a one on one strip to win possession that lead to the 2nd try and then scooted out of dummy half and made a linebreak which set up the 3rd try. Had a big hand in all 3 tries that really set the game up for the Roosters.

2 - Paula Teisina again the starting prop was super impressive, some really strong carries but probably more impressive was some of his goal line defence. He's got a great low tackle technique and really stopped some of the Raiders big boys in their tracks as they were trying to score close to the line. He came up with some really important tackles and held that middle together.

1 - Charleston Te Rore the other starting prop again was just really good. Could've given the 1 to a few players but I just though he was super impressive and played very long minutes, not sure if he went off for a rest, if he did it must've been a very short one. For a big guy who had to do a lot of defence his fitness looks to be pretty good as he was still breaking tackles and landing on his front nearly every carry.

Other thoughts
- Tristan Ross returned and looked really safe at fullback, made some good tackles and defused all the kicks that came his way with ease.
- Filipe Fakauho the winger had another decent game, strong carries from backfield and had a really nice break to set up the 2nd try
- Both centres Papa & Armstrong were good today, both made impressive linebreaks with strong fends.
- And in a tough game for halves as we were pretty much camped in our own half for 40minutes of the 60 I thought Metcalfe had a good game.
- The Central Coast Roosters and Sydney Roosters now make up 2 of the top 4 in Harold Matts. Up the Chooks!
- Sydney Roosters play the undefeated and top of the table Steelers next week, should be a really good game.

[ARD]

Keep this up R6, it’s appreciated.

[Rooster_6]

Round 7 SG Ball
Sydney Roosters 36 defeat Balmain Tigers 22

A must win game for the Roosters (7th) up against the Tigers (4th) in the context of making the finals (top 6 format). Missing Rex and Nassar their first & second choice fullbacks, Rodwell up covering for Savala in NSW cup, missing their captain Jax Allen and seemingly Lavakeiaho the vice captain must've have the flu or something as he started from the bench and only saw 10minutes where as he's been regularly playing 50-60mins. So it was looking like a real tough challenge but they absolutely steam rolled the Tigers in the first half, just too much power running through the middle for the Tigers to handle and really good execution of plays in attack. Went in at half time up 30-4. Second half was a little bit scrappy and Tigers fought their way back in but the contest was never in doubt, would've like to see them finish off the game a little stronger but none the less a very impressive win in a very important game.

Best on Ground
3 - Darcy Smith - The left edge second rower had a hattrick of tries before half time, first try was a beautiful hole run and left foot step on the fullback to score a beautiful 2nd rowers try, showed good strength close to the line for his second try and then picked up a loose ball from a dropped bomb and had too much speed and balance for the Tigers defenders. Had some other really nice moments in the game including a good pass to put Lee through for a line break and some really nice shots in defence. As usual busy in attack and defence all game.

2 - The middle 3 - I know it's cheating but they were absolutely sensational to start the game and really set up the win and it's tough to split them. That is the two starting props Magele, I Seve & the lock Fesolai. Their power running, line speed, aggressive defence just completely blew the Tigers off the park. And they were just relentless, almost every carry was 15m with plenty of post contact yardage, offloads and just dominant in defence.

1 - Jackson Stewart - Shifted from the centres to fullback for this game and apart from one dropped ball on a swirling bomb I thought he looked really good. He's such a nice mover, showed great speed and a nice pass to set up the 3rd try of the game, then scored a try himself with just really good power and determination to get the ball down beating 5 defenders and set up the 6th try with a nice read on the short side to put his winger over. Was very impressed with him at fullback, wonder if he might stay there a little longer .


Other thoughts
- Dooner & Lee were both great in the centres, both very powerful athletes and looked dangerous in attack but both defended very well and helped out in yardage also.
- Tyson Walker & Rosemeyer had their best game as a combination I though, play across the field was very balanced, they didn't overplay their hand and general play kicking was good.
- Liam Bell was tidy with his service, showed some good craft out of dummy half in Allen's absence he did a really good job.
- Despite the win the Roosters remain 7th just outside the finals with another tough game next week up against the Bulldogs who currently sit 8th, then in their last game of the season they play the winless Warriors who currently sit bottom of the table. So without getting too far ahead of themselves a win against the Dogs should secure them a finals spot, a loss and it looks unlikely.

[Bates]

Great win by the young boys.