NSW Cup 2025

[Dion Johnson]

James named on the pine with both train and trial players in Sykes and Patolo named in front of him, not a good start to the season for a player in the top 30 squad.

Team List:
1. Clayton Faulalo
2. Navren Willett
3. Jordan Swann
4. Aaron Schoupp
5. Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega
6. Brandon Wakeham
7. Jakob Arthur
8. Chris Patolo
9. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
10. Jacob Sykes
11. Michael Chee Kam
12. Zane Dunford
13. Dean Matterson

Interchange
14. Caleb Navale
15. Aitasi James
16. D'jazirhae Mia Pua'avase
17. Max Hayley

Reserves
18. Broden Konz

 

[Nordburg]

Viliami Fifita named on the bench,again,for Dragons reserve grade.Not a good start for a player so many on ST’s whinged about when the club released him

 

[Disco]

Navale down the pecking order too

 

[Dion Johnson]

The team looks better than I expected, a mixture of a few experienced players and some younger players looking to be better and give it their best.

 

[Dion Johnson]

Viliami Fifita named on the bench,again,for Dragons reserve grade.Not a good start for a player so many on ST’s whinged about when the club released him

He will find it hard to get a look in at the Dragons, they have some talented younger forwards that have jumped ahead of him.

He did look promising when he was at the club and played well in a couple of trials from memory.

 

[double hoops]

Matto and Navale should complement each other well at 13. Matto had some nice touches at five eight in the trials but not sure he has his hands on the ball often enough in the halves. He's the style of 13, that mobile ball playing lock which would be a nice to have in the a grade if he can handle the grunt work as well.

What Matto may lack in terms of punching straight Navale laps up. His speed always looks dangerous, plenty of half breaks he hopefully turns into actual line breaks in 25.

Different styles of lock. But together they should be a handful and a nice 1, 2 combo.

Whilst both players look good for 20 mins I got doubts about both handling the work rate at lock much longer.

The good part in that ressies team is you could rotate locks and backrowers, with ease.

 

[double hoops]

Some bugger said AOA was getting a run in ressies in another thread.

Ahh I should have fact checked it before I commented I guess.

Round 1 starting to feel like I'm short of a run for team list Tuesday Lol.

 

[LeonardCohen]

He will find it hard to get a look in at the Dragons, they have some talented younger forwards that have jumped ahead of him.

He did look promising when he was at the club and played well in a couple of trials from memory.

He was never a highly touted junior. I think people got carried away by a few bruising carries in a trial game and the fact his surname was Fifita, assuming he must be a future star. I'm not even joking; I honestly believe the surname led to a 'halo effect'. He was bench forward in GIO Cup.

 

[Ohgeez]

I don’t think Navale is ‘down the pecking order’ personally. Id say it’s more likely just a small punishment for his mental lapses in defence against panthers a couple weeks ago. A good reminder that you have to be switched on at all times if you want to be a starter. Id give it a couple weeks & he will be starting with matterson back to 2nd row

 

[Dion Johnson]

Sydney Shield not starting until next weekend, a few players having to wait for their chance in James Uesele and Charlie Thompson.

 

[Dion Johnson]

Matto and Navale should complement each other well at 13. Matto had some nice touches at five eight in the trials but not sure he has his hands on the ball often enough in the halves. He's the style of 13, that mobile ball playing lock which would be a nice to have in the a grade if he can handle the grunt work as well.

That’s one of the selections I like, players playing where they are best suited, I don’t think either Matterson or Navale would play on an edge in first grade.

MCK and Dunford on the edges both get a chance to play where they are best suited and press their chances for selection should injury or form command a start in first grade.

 

[double hoops]

The Newtown Jets secure a finals double-chance with narrow win over the Warriors - Newtown Jets

The Newtown Jets ensured themselves a double-chance in the 2024 NSW Cup semi-finals when they defeated the New Zealand Warriors 39-36 in the final home and away round played at Henson Park on Saturday.With the Canberra Raiders losing in an upset to the Sydney Roosters, Newtown finished in second...

www.newtownjets.com

Jordan Swann might be one to keep an eye on at centre.

 

[Phobia]

Apparent NSW Cup Squad for 2025:

Players

2024 NSW Cup, State of Origin squads

www.nswrl.com.au

1. Lehi Hopoate
2. Navren Willett
3. Tommy Talau
4. Clayton Faulalo
5. Ray Vaega
6. Brandon Wakeham
7. Jake Arthur
8. Toafofoa Sipley
9. Jake Simpkin
10. Chris Patolo
11. Dean Matterson
12. Zane Dunford
13. Caleb Navale
14. GCKT
15. Aitasi James
16. D'Jazirhae Pua'avase
17. Jacob Sykes
18. Aaron Schoupp
19. Joey Walsh
20. Eparama Navale
21. Max Hayley
22. Broden Konz
23. James Uesele
24. Simione Laiafi
25. Zaidas Muagututia
26. Charlie Thompson
27. Kylan Mafoa


Some baffling people left out of this squad such as MCK (who doesn't appear on Sea Eagles website either), Corey Waddell, Matt Lodge, Jordan Swann, and others.

 

[Carl]

And I don't think lehi will get much time in nsw cup.

 

[mave]

Navale down the pecking order too

Unsurprising given his trial form, although disappointing nonetheless

At least, the only way is up!

 

[Phobia]

James Uesele apparently leaving the club, by the look of Aloiai's latest post on Instagram. GCKT tagged him in the comments as the one leaving.

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[Stewbojevic]

A shame we lost NSW Cup I thought that was a strong team compared to Souths.

Who watched the game? Any standouts?

 

[rj90]

A shame we lost NSW Cup I thought that was a strong team compared to Souths.

Who watched the game? Any standouts?

Definitely a stronger team on paper, was surprised we didn’t win.

Clayton had a great match.

 

[maxta]

NSW cup be it Blacktown or Manly...have had great teams on paper in recent seasons, yet play terrible....in fact play some super attacking footy, yet simply don't compete at the most important part of the game - "DEFENCE" ...and regardless what grade from U6's to NRL, defence is all about your attitude and this factor shows this side are all about themselves and have zero resolve as a team, which shows something is "OFF" at a higher level in this grade...maybe no stability and uncertainty between players and coaching staff, unless there's more steel and heart in this grade will continue to lose and win the odd shootout like 38 - 36....but that's NOT a winning formula....set the bar in attitude and defence comes with this, then burn your wheels in attack....you don't tackle - you lose footy games.....

 

[Nambawan]

My few thoughts on yesterdays game - Team started chaotically but gradually improved. Poor goal-kicking eventually cost them the win. A couple of players stood out to me as potential place takers (or not) in the NRL side - Fulalo: who looked a class above all the others. Wakeham: who played with some poise and skill. Navale: who tackled relentlessly and displayed good pace in the open. Mia Pua-Avase (no.16) a big body who was vigorous and effective. On the other hand thought Jake Arthur: whilst trying very hard was too slow (not up to NRL standard as a half?). Chris Patolo: was a bit disappointing - seemed hesitant and struggled to cope with the pace of the game. Chee Kam: Seemingly not the player he was. Aaron Schoup: Did not show much - seems to lack pace.