Juniors Discussion Thread

[manly al]

Mihinui has been selected for Reggie's this week which suggests at least Lambkin sees his ability(may not end up playing when a couple named in 22 slide back)
I don't know his contract situation Daz,I guess he is in line for a supplementary contract(Hopoate will probably be upgraded to top 30 and Navale as well,Navale may be supplementary contract).
We can have at least 6 supplementary and a bunch of Train and Trial contracts,I hope he gets at supplementary contract.
As to my view on him ..
He has a huge motor,he just keeps going on both sides of the ball,not a huge guy,but leads from the front.
He is still developing physically like Navale is.
Good footspeed,good defender,not shy or overawed by the situation.
He just stands out when you see him play......

Just a brief query if you think it worthwhile responding but is that junior grade [ fair haired ] 6 - Reiley ? , who had a pretty good turn of speed , still in the Manly junior system.
Certainly looked promising at the start of last season

 

[Smokin Joe]

Just a brief query if you think it worthwhile responding but is that junior grade [ fair haired ] 6 - Reiley ? , who had a pretty good turn of speed , still in the Manly junior system.
Certainly looked promising at the start of last season

I have a week off Al,I try to respond if someone thinks it worthwhile enough to ask a question.
I think you mean Reilly Caswell?
He captained the Matthews side this year mate,played fullback.(think he may have filled in at 6 a little)
He will probably be in Ball side next year and if continues to develop maybe Flegg after the Ball season finishes.

 

[Bradza]

Best of the Ball side this year.
Props..
Simone Laiafi.Talked about already.
Campbell Munn.High workrate on both sides or the ball,not as dynamic as Laiafi,but just as valuable as can play long minutes.
Fakavale Tonga.Missed the season through injury,but making an impression in the Shield side after season over.
Apolosi Laiafi.Getting some time in the Shield side,came from Bankstown,rugby background,developing.....
Jett Jackson.Bro of Jesse in Flegg,can play edge or prop,physique and workrate probably best suited for middle,quality player,very involved,looks for work.
Backrowers...
Will Lane.Came from Qld,a bit like Cam McInnes,good defender,can play on the edge as a defender,can play as a lock as a defender/runner or a defensive dummy half,very consistent/reliable.
Heath Turner.Came from Bears and Rugby,promising guy with tough hard rugby skills,ability on both sides of ball....BK,Angus Crichton potential,but still so young,edge or middle.
Dylan Coyte,captain and solid on the left edge,reliable,but tough year to be captain of the side.
Halves..
Callum Dowell.Needs to develop,but ability to manage a game,good kicking game and can switch between left and right in a game is impressive,playing some Shield.
Finnian Walsh.Solid,good short kicking game,good ball player,needs to develop strength and running game.
Backs...
Alton Naiyep.Powerhouse,but very short in stature,smashes opponents running or defending like Marcus Bai/Justin Olam,but will need to pack on even more muscle to make it in NRL(Matt Utai?),hope he can retain speed,athleticism....
Brendan O'Keefe.Centre who played Matthews last year and has played some Shield and Flegg this year,powerful runner,good potential.
Nepote Taufa.Tall,rangy winger from rugby background,played some Shield and Flegg this year,good finisher and athlete,work in progress.

As always Smokin’, your insights and info are appreciated. Thanks

 

[The Wheel]

Sea Eagles dig deep in win over Storm

A resilient Manly Warringah Sea Eagles claimed a 20-16 victory over the Melbourne Storm in round 18 of the Jersey Flegg Cup at 4 Pines Park today.

www.seaeagles.com.au

 

[Smokin Joe]

Best of the Matthews side this year..
Props.
F.Tuionetoa. Alpha prop,daylight second...Tall,powerful,runs hard,tackles strongly,fit,aggressive,high workrate.
Local junior who should be an NRL player in future.
W.Leha. Solid,but needs to get rid of Marty Taupau desperation offloading when nothing on,needs to work on strength/body type as shorter guy.
S.Sisifa. Alpha type,but injury ruined year,quality player.
Hookers
Cruz Death. Local jr who deserved City U17 spot,defensively solid and crafty in attack,good accurate passer, gets out and engages all defenders near play the ball.
Backrowers.
Beau McKee.Tall,high workrate, local jr who can play on edge or middle.
Corey Kaltenbacher.Played early as prop and later as second rower,probably better as a lock,came from country NSW,high workrate.
David Simmons.Local jr,hard running aggressive player(Choc type),played as prop,but might be better as lock forward,good workrate.
Cam Makey.Worked his way into starting lock spot.
Tauasa and Serafin did well on edges,but not sure if athletic or quick enough to make it further,rely too much on size.
Halves.
2 local Jr's.
Alexander on the left and Max Davies on the right,quality young guys,probably dreaming...but hope they could be our Cleary/Luai shot at NRL,both can take on the line,good vision and passing game,Davies better long kicking game,both have good short kicking game,complement each other well.
Outside backs.
Bit thinner here...
Charlie Woolf is solid at left centre.
Cooper Elkins played on left wing,lacks elite pace,might be a better option at centre.
Jack Kalms is decent at right centre,but hope club persists as he and a few backs need to get a bit stronger quickly.
Fullback.
Caswell was good,solid vision,moves into halves when Beau/Max get caught out,not as quick as advertised,could use sprint coach as at times legs/arms seem to be everywhere when running.

 

[Dion Johnson]

Best of the Matthews side this year..
Props.
F.Tuionetoa. Alpha prop,daylight second...Tall,powerful,runs hard,tackles strongly,fit,aggressive,high workrate.
Local junior who should be an NRL player in future.
W.Leha. Solid,but needs to get rid of Marty Taupau desperation offloading when nothing on,needs to work on strength/body type as shorter guy.
S.Sisifa. Alpha type,but injury ruined year,quality player.
Hookers
Cruz Death. Local jr who deserved City U17 spot,defensively solid and crafty in attack,good accurate passer, gets out and engages all defenders near play the ball.
Backrowers.
Beau McKee.Tall,high workrate, local jr who can play on edge or middle.
Corey Kaltenbacher.Played early as prop and later as second rower,probably better as a lock,came from country NSW,high workrate.
David Simmons.Local jr,hard running aggressive player(Choc type),played as prop,but might be better as lock forward,good workrate.
Cam Makey.Worked his way into starting lock spot.
Tauasa and Serafin did well on edges,but not sure if athletic or quick enough to make it further,rely too much on size.
Halves.
2 local Jr's.
Alexander on the left and Max Davies on the right,quality young guys,probably dreaming...but hope they could be our Cleary/Luai shot at NRL,both can take on the line,good vision and passing game,Davies better long kicking game,both have good short kicking game,complement each other well.
Outside backs.
Bit thinner here...
Charlie Woolf is solid at left centre.
Cooper Elkins played on left wing,lacks elite pace,might be a better option at centre.
Jack Kalms is decent at right centre,but hope club persists as he and a few backs need to get a bit stronger quickly.
Fullback.
Caswell was good,solid vision,moves into halves when Beau/Max get caught out,not as quick as advertised,could use sprint coach as at times legs/arms seem to be everywhere when running.

@Smokin Joe dobyou remember a young bloke who played ball a few seasons back in Tom Hardcastle? If so how did he go, a bloke I grew up with it was his young fella..

 

[Darren]

Best of the Matthews side this year..
Props.
F.Tuionetoa. Alpha prop,daylight second...Tall,powerful,runs hard,tackles strongly,fit,aggressive,high workrate.
Local junior who should be an NRL player in future.
W.Leha. Solid,but needs to get rid of Marty Taupau desperation offloading when nothing on,needs to work on strength/body type as shorter guy.
S.Sisifa. Alpha type,but injury ruined year,quality player.
Hookers
Cruz Death. Local jr who deserved City U17 spot,defensively solid and crafty in attack,good accurate passer, gets out and engages all defenders near play the ball.
Backrowers.
Beau McKee.Tall,high workrate, local jr who can play on edge or middle.
Corey Kaltenbacher.Played early as prop and later as second rower,probably better as a lock,came from country NSW,high workrate.
David Simmons.Local jr,hard running aggressive player(Choc type),played as prop,but might be better as lock forward,good workrate.
Cam Makey.Worked his way into starting lock spot.
Tauasa and Serafin did well on edges,but not sure if athletic or quick enough to make it further,rely too much on size.
Halves.
2 local Jr's.
Alexander on the left and Max Davies on the right,quality young guys,probably dreaming...but hope they could be our Cleary/Luai shot at NRL,both can take on the line,good vision and passing game,Davies better long kicking game,both have good short kicking game,complement each other well.
Outside backs.
Bit thinner here...
Charlie Woolf is solid at left centre.
Cooper Elkins played on left wing,lacks elite pace,might be a better option at centre.
Jack Kalms is decent at right centre,but hope club persists as he and a few backs need to get a bit stronger quickly.
Fullback.
Caswell was good,solid vision,moves into halves when Beau/Max get caught out,not as quick as advertised,could use sprint coach as at times legs/arms seem to be everywhere when running.

Great stuff again Joe!! So appreciated by all of us. Great to see several kids coming through that have a top chance of getting near NRL. Laifai, Mihinui, Campbell Munn, F.Tuionetoa and more. It will be good to watch their progress and others in the next few years.

 

[Smokin Joe]

@Smokin Joe dobyou remember a young bloke who played ball a few seasons back in Tom Hardcastle? If so how did he go, a bloke I grew up with it was his young fella..

Sorry mate, don't recall him.

 

[The Wheel]

Brave Sea Eagles fight hard in Sydney Shield

A brave Manly Leagues fought very hard to the end in a 26-8 loss to Wentworthville Magpies in round 14 of the Sydney Shield at Ringrose Park today.

www.seaeagles.com.au

 

[The Wheel]

Rd 15 Sydney Shield team vs St Marys

Manly Leagues Coach Anthony Watmough has named his team to play St Mary's in round 15 of the Sydney Shield.

www.seaeagles.com.au

 

[The Wheel]

Bright future awaits Manly Leagues in Sydney Shield

Manly Leagues, the new Sea Eagles community team in 2024, has earned themselves plenty of respect in their debut season in the Sydney Shield competition.

www.seaeagles.com.au

 

[maxta]

Not trying to be funny here, but I love the accurate breakdowns from Joe and reckon we should have a thread dedicated to "Smokin Joe reports" or something ? ....if he has the time of course as has his own things outside Silvertails to operate around his life, but being selfish at times, I see it as a great addition !!
THere are a few who have info on players, potential signings ect, but when it comes to the Manly juniors, its Smokin Joe, then daylight second and personally love his work

 

[Darren]

Agree, love all the insight and in-depth analysis on obviously the games you attend. It's so good to know some names and who to lookout for. Appreciate it all the time Joe!!

 

[Smokin Joe]

Not trying to be funny here, but I love the accurate breakdowns from Joe and reckon we should have a thread dedicated to "Smokin Joe reports" or something ? ....if he has the time of course as has his own things outside Silvertails to operate around his life, but being selfish at times, I see it as a great addition !!
THere are a few who have info on players, potential signings ect, but when it comes to the Manly juniors, its Smokin Joe, then daylight second and personally love his work

Cheers Maxta,yeah,nah.... 😂

 

[maxta]

Cheers Maxta,yeah,nah.... 😂

Yeh fair enough too, but love your work and happy enough with your input as is Champion 🙌🔥

 

[Disco]

I mean.....this thread is basically that.

With some official team lists and match reports thrown in.

And I love it

 

[MW66]

Any knowledge on Simone Laiafi @Smokin Joe,

This is an update having him on a development deal in 2025 and an NRL deal in 2026, currently eligible for under 17’s.

The NSW under-17 prop is on the books at Manly and is expected to become a powerful force for the club in coming years. He moves onto a development deal next season before becoming part of the club’s top-30 in 2026.

At conclusion of Australian schoolboy championships this past week he has been named on the bench of the Australian Schoolboy merit team e.g. top 17. Hopefully a very bright future in the maroon and white.

 

[The Wheel]

Manly Leagues hungry to make amends in Sydney Shield

Some heavy soul searching this week at training should see a hungrier Manly Leagues team take on the Moorebank Rams in the Sydney Shield on Sunday, July 21.

www.seaeagles.com.au

 

[The Wheel]

Gallant Sea Eagles fight hard in Flegg loss

A fine captain's performance from talented Manly lock Nicholas Lenaz was not enough to life the Sea Eagles to victory against Penrith in round 20 of the Jersey Flegg Cup.

www.seaeagles.com.au

 

[The Wheel]

Vital win for Manly Leagues in Sydney Shield

A gritty and determined Manly Leagues team recorded a vital 28-16 win over Moorebank Rams in round 16 of the Sydney Shield competition on Sunday.

www.seaeagles.com.au