Harold Matts & SG Ball - 2025 season

[SamKerrSimp]

The HM and SG Ball season ends very early where do the players go after that? I don't follow the lower grades too closely

[Rooster_6]

The HM and SG Ball season ends very early where do the players go after that? I don't follow the lower grades too closely

As SG Ball is under 19's these days its' usually pretty split;

- One group of kids will still be at school and they will go focus on their HSC, play footy for their schools/club. A lot of them are either at Union private schools or will partake in the Rugby League Schoolboy cup. With the Australian and NZ schoolboy teams to be selected at the end of the year being the ultimate goal for most.

- The other group will be out of school and they will usually progress on to the Jersey Flegg or NSW Cup.

Most of our SG Ball side this year is are in their first year of SG Ball stepping up from Harold Matts so not sure we will see that many progress onto Jersey Flegg/SG Ball this year but we should see strong representation in the schoolboy rep teams at the end of the year. Off the top of my head this will be Jax Allen, Toby Rodwell & Benjamin Uini. I'm pretty sure the rest are all still in their first year of SG Ball which makes their performances so far this year all the more impressive.

[King Salvo]

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.

Need to lock up a few of these players which is always a task - Darcy Smith and Lachlan Dooner for instance - The Dogs made a big play for 3 Rooster pathway players at the end of 2024 - Cooper Toy , Jai Callaghan and Darcy Smith - signed Toy and Callaghan - Darcy stayed with the Roosters.

Always a difficult season for both SG Ball and Tarsha Gale Cup with players from Both Sydney Metro and Central Coast so hard to have full training sessions with all squad members in attendance at the same time.

Why Central Coast will have their own SG Ball Team in 2026 - Need to look at having their own Tarsha Gale Cup side plus the Sydney Roosters having their own Lisa Fioala Cup side again as they did in 2024 as they turned away a lot of Female players by having only the one team - CC Roosters in Lisa Fioala Cup.

[Vasco]

Great win by SG Ball.

[Rooster_6]

Round 8 Harold Matts

Sydney Roosters 12 defeat Illawarra Steelers 0

Massive game for the young Roosters up against the competition leaders and undefeated Steelers with the Roosters fighting to hold their spot in the top 4. Obviously a lot of rain in Sydney so field was pretty heavy and there was a consistent sprinkling of rain throughout the game but it was a real high quality contest. Very few errors in the first half which meant heaps of live ball and neither side looked like cracking, half time scores we still locked at 0-0 which I thought was a fair reflection of a very even contest. Second half Roosters enjoyed some more field position and went up 2-0 courtesy of a penalty goal then a few minutes later scored a try in the corner to make it 6-0, Steelers had plenty of sets on the Roosters line in the last 10 but Roosters defence was just too good and with about 2mins left to go Charlie Webb caught a chip kick from the Steelers half and ran 80m untouched to seal the game. Was a superb defensive performance from the boys.


Best on Ground
3 - Payton Gifford the starting hooker was really good again for mine, solid in defence and in a game where both sides were struggling to break it open he had two linebreak assists that should've resulted in more, his service was great and he's very crafty, has good deception around the ruck.

2 - Bastion Armstrong the left edge centre was very good in yardage all game, one of the busiest players and set up the 1st try nicely getting the winger to bite in and releasing the pass at the right moment. Again he's just a really nice mover with some good upper body strength.

1 - Roman Leilua the prop forward off the bench I thought had a great impact on the game, again in a really tight game where everyone was getting belted he was one of the few consisntently getting post contact metres and putting Illawarra on the back foot. Exactly what you want from a bench prop.

Other thoughts
- I thought all the back 5 had really good games often having to carry out of some tough positions
- Really hard to single out individuals in great team performances like that, obviously they will be stoked with the 0 points against.
- Last game of the season before finals next week, they play the 6 & 1 Warriors and after this round sit top of the table.
- Roosters & CC Roosters both finish the round out still in the top 4

[Rooster_6]

Round 8 SG Ball
Sydney Roosters 36 defeat Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs 4

7th Vs 8th coming into this game so a must win game for both sides if they were to have any chance of playing finals this year. Was a really good physical opening 15-20minute period but after that the Bulldogs just couldn't match in with the Roosters who were very commanding in dominating field position. Roosters went in 10-4 at half time but probably should've been more, looked like they were searching a little too hard for points and just lacking some execution. Second half again very dominant, controlling field position and making metres with ease every time they needed to get out of their own end and ended up running away with the game.


Best on Ground
3 - Toby Rodwell the halfback had a really strong game, general play kicking as usual was strong, was playing nice and direct all game, threw a nice short ball to Darcy Smith for the first try of the game and then a very similar pass moments later with the line open that Darcy dropped. Put in a nice grubber kick for Nassar to score from. Didn't see much of his elusive running game given the conditions but did have on nice moment where he put Pappas into space for a linebreak early jinking through the line.

2 - Phillip Lavakeiaho the prop of the bench was an absolute beast. There were some big boys for both sides out there on Saturday and the contact was unrelenting but when he came onto the field it was like he was playing down a couple of age groups, just absolutely dominated every carry with massive post contact metres. I don't know why he's been on the bench the last two weeks but he's our best prop and should be starting IMO.

1 - Darcy Smith the left edge backrower had another really good game, especially in the first half where he must've broken about 10-12 tackles, 2 linebreaks, 1 try and just super aggressive and physical in everything he does. Great footwork, great line running and seems to read the game very well.


Other thoughts
- Mikey Nassar returned on the wing and had a great game, finished one try superbly and took a really nice intercept close to the line for his second.
- Jackson Stewart looked good at fullback again, highlighted by a 90m chase for a try saving tackle centimetres out from the try line.
- Lachlan Dooner had a good game in the centres again, scored a nice try just before halftime off a short ball from Tyson Walker and then planted (dubious) one down off a Rodwell kick.
- No signs of injury this week so with Jax Allen returning next week will pretty much be a first choice 17 with the exception of Rex.
- Roosters play the Warriors next week who only won their first game of the season this week, they are pretty much guaranteed a finals position but a win would give them a top 4 finish.

[Superdag]

K
I thought Itula Seve and Peter Benjamin Uini look good prospects ,Itula didn't play long minutes but the sides front row roster look big and mobile.

[Lockie]

Round 8 SG Ball
Sydney Roosters 36 defeat Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs 4

7th Vs 8th coming into this game so a must win game for both sides if they were to have any chance of playing finals this year. Was a really good physical opening 15-20minute period but after that the Bulldogs just couldn't match in with the Roosters who were very commanding in dominating field position. Roosters went in 10-4 at half time but probably should've been more, looked like they were searching a little too hard for points and just lacking some execution. Second half again very dominant, controlling field position and making metres with ease every time they needed to get out of their own end and ended up running away with the game.


Best on Ground
3 - Toby Rodwell the halfback had a really strong game, general play kicking as usual was strong, was playing nice and direct all game, threw a nice short ball to Darcy Smith for the first try of the game and then a very similar pass moments later with the line open that Darcy dropped. Put in a nice grubber kick for Nassar to score from. Didn't see much of his elusive running game given the conditions but did have on nice moment where he put Pappas into space for a linebreak early jinking through the line.

2 - Phillip Lavakeiaho the prop of the bench was an absolute beast. There were some big boys for both sides out there on Saturday and the contact was unrelenting but when he came onto the field it was like he was playing down a couple of age groups, just absolutely dominated every carry with massive post contact metres. I don't know why he's been on the bench the last two weeks but he's our best prop and should be starting IMO.

1 - Darcy Smith the left edge backrower had another really good game, especially in the first half where he must've broken about 10-12 tackles, 2 linebreaks, 1 try and just super aggressive and physical in everything he does. Great footwork, great line running and seems to read the game very well.


Other thoughts
- Mikey Nassar returned on the wing and had a great game, finished one try superbly and took a really nice intercept close to the line for his second.
- Jackson Stewart looked good at fullback again, highlighted by a 90m chase for a try saving tackle centimetres out from the try line.
- Lachlan Dooner had a good game in the centres again, scored a nice try just before halftime off a short ball from Tyson Walker and then planted (dubious) one down off a Rodwell kick.
- No signs of injury this week so with Jax Allen returning next week will pretty much be a first choice 17 with the exception of Rex.
- Roosters play the Warriors next week who only won their first game of the season this week, they are pretty much guaranteed a finals position but a win would give them a top 4 finish.

Thanks R6.
Love your work mate . I think the SG Ball side will go deep into the finals if we stay injury free . I’m a massive fan of Darcy Smith . Watched him play a bit when he was with the Central Coast . Plenty of fire in the belly . He reminded me a little bit of Ben Kennedy . Great to see him kicking on .

[Rooster_6]

Round 8 SG Ball
Sydney Roosters 36 defeat Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs 4

7th Vs 8th coming into this game so a must win game for both sides if they were to have any chance of playing finals this year. Was a really good physical opening 15-20minute period but after that the Bulldogs just couldn't match in with the Roosters who were very commanding in dominating field position. Roosters went in 10-4 at half time but probably should've been more, looked like they were searching a little too hard for points and just lacking some execution. Second half again very dominant, controlling field position and making metres with ease every time they needed to get out of their own end and ended up running away with the game.


Best on Ground
3 - Toby Rodwell the halfback had a really strong game, general play kicking as usual was strong, was playing nice and direct all game, threw a nice short ball to Darcy Smith for the first try of the game and then a very similar pass moments later with the line open that Darcy dropped. Put in a nice grubber kick for Nassar to score from. Didn't see much of his elusive running game given the conditions but did have on nice moment where he put Pappas into space for a linebreak early jinking through the line.

2 - Phillip Lavakeiaho the prop of the bench was an absolute beast. There were some big boys for both sides out there on Saturday and the contact was unrelenting but when he came onto the field it was like he was playing down a couple of age groups, just absolutely dominated every carry with massive post contact metres. I don't know why he's been on the bench the last two weeks but he's our best prop and should be starting IMO.

1 - Darcy Smith the left edge backrower had another really good game, especially in the first half where he must've broken about 10-12 tackles, 2 linebreaks, 1 try and just super aggressive and physical in everything he does. Great footwork, great line running and seems to read the game very well.


Other thoughts
- Mikey Nassar returned on the wing and had a great game, finished one try superbly and took a really nice intercept close to the line for his second.
- Jackson Stewart looked good at fullback again, highlighted by a 90m chase for a try saving tackle centimetres out from the try line.
- Lachlan Dooner had a good game in the centres again, scored a nice try just before halftime off a short ball from Tyson Walker and then planted (dubious) one down off a Rodwell kick.
- No signs of injury this week so with Jax Allen returning next week will pretty much be a first choice 17 with the exception of Rex.
- Roosters play the Warriors next week who only won their first game of the season this week, they are pretty much guaranteed a finals position but a win would give them a top 4 finish.

Footage of Jackson Stewart's try saver. He's been really impressive since switching from centre to fullback in the past 2 weeks.

https://x.com/IMAROOSTAR/status/1907...X9USvHrnA&s=09

[theGman]

Footage of Jackson Stewart's try saver. He's been really impressive since switching from centre to fullback in the past 2 weeks.

https://x.com/IMAROOSTAR/status/1907...X9USvHrnA&s=09

Brilliant.
Very determined and never gave up.

["gaz"]

The quality of the players coming through our pathways system is quite impressive. Many are being fast tracked and playing up a grade.
Interesting the closed trials at end of last season and now the success of our junior teams this year
Today the best Roosters Harold Matts (U17s) team I have seen, came from behind and beat the undefeated Warriors in NZ
They will finish 2nd on the ladder and are a good chance of taking it out this year, the CC Roosters finished 5th

[Lydon]

The quality of the players coming through our pathways system is quite impressive. Many are being fast tracked and playing up a grade.
Interesting the closed trials at end of last season and now the success of our junior teams this year
Today the best Roosters Harold Matts (U17s) team I have seen, came from behind and beat the undefeated Warriors in NZ
They will finish 2nd on the ladder and are a good chance of taking it out this year, the CC Roosters finished 5th

Massive win today!

Go Easts

[SamKerrSimp]

The quality of the players coming through our pathways system is quite impressive. Many are being fast tracked and playing up a grade.
Interesting the closed trials at end of last season and now the success of our junior teams this year
Today the best Roosters Harold Matts (U17s) team I have seen, came from behind and beat the undefeated Warriors in NZ
They will finish 2nd on the ladder and are a good chance of taking it out this year, the CC Roosters finished 5th

Are we affiliated with the central coast team?

["gaz"]

Are we affiliated with the central coast team?

They are part of our Central Coast pathways systems (a reciprocal partnership)
I thought it would be cool if they both met in the GF

["gaz"]

A great win for SG Ball too against the Warriors in NZ