Juniors Report Round 7: Andrew Johns Cup Reach Grand Final

Central Coast Roosters 22 def Parramatta Eels 14 

The Central Coast Roosters have strung together back-to-back victories with a 22-14 win over the Parramatta Eels in Round 7. 

Despite facing a 10-nil deficit after as many minutes, the Tricolours failed to wither against their opponents, with tries to Tory Nelson-Staunton (19th minute) and
Mia Vaotuua (28th) closing the gap to two at the break.

The momentum continued for the Red, White and Blue following half-time, with Breanna Bigeni and Tory Nelson-Staunton adding their names to the scoresheet to take the lead for the first time. 

Parramatta struck back to bring the difference back to two points, but a try to Ellie Brander with just under ten minutes remaining gave the Roosters enough to claim a famous 22-14 victory. 

The Central Coast Roosters will face the St George Dragons in their bid for a third consecutive victory in Round 8 at Forshaw Park. 

Harold Matthews Cup | Tricolours Claim Big Scalps 

Sydney Roosters 30 def Newcastle Knights 18

The Sydney Roosters Harold Matthews Cup side claimed a strong 30-18 victory over the Newcastle Knights at Mascot Oval to retain their spot in the top four. 

Easts started hard and fast in their Round 7 contest, with four tries in the opening half including a double to five-eighth Jeziah Papa giving the side a strong 18-6 lead at the break.

Bailey Roberts-Lintmeijer added his name to the scoresheet just two minutes after the break to extend, and while their opponents scored twice in the second stanza, the winger added a second to his name with just a few minutes remaining to seal the result. 

The Sydney Roosters will play the first-placed Western Suburbs Magpies at Kirkham Oval in a must-see clash in Round 8. 

Central Coast Roosters 14 def Penrith Panthers 12

A penalty goal with just minutes remaining gave the Central Coast Roosters a well-deserved victory over the Penrith Panthers in a low-scoring affair, 14-12 at Morry Breen Oval.

In a fast start for the visitors, the Tricolours conceded two tries in the opening eight minutes, however a four-pointer to centre Joshua Fesolai helped to close the deficit at the break.

Fesolai bagged his second just minutes on resumption to level the scores, and while Penrith struck back with fifteen left on the clock, an almighty effort from captain Jai Callaghan saw the sides evenly matched once more.

The Roosters then slotted a penalty goal in the dying stages and held on to record a memorable win.

The Central Coast Roosters will host the Melbourne Storm in Round 8 of the Harold Matthews Cup at Bill Hicks Oval in Wyong. 

Tarsha Gale Cup | Five Tries All But Roosters Prevail

Sydney Roosters Indigenous Academy 24 def Newcastle Knights 22

The Sydney Roosters Indigenous Academy has claimed a two-point victory against the Newcastle Knights in a battle that saw both sides post five tries at Mascot Oval. 

Conversions got the Tricolours past their opponents in a close contest, which saw wingers Ashley and Mele Ketuu touch down for the first tries, while front rower Tess McWilliams added her name to the scoresheet before the break. 

Tyra Ekepati and Mele Ketuu got the Tricolours on the board in the second stanza, with the side holding on to record a memorable two-point win. 

The Sydney Roosters Indigenous Academy will face the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at 4 Pines Park in Round 8. 

SG Ball Cup | Roosters Go Past Knights in High-Scoring Match 

Sydney Roosters 28 def Newcastle Knights 22

The Sydney Roosters SG Ball Cup side have continued their reign at the top of the competition with a 28-22 victory over the Newcastle Knights at Mascot Oval in Round 7.

In a top-two battle, the Tricolours posted seven tries to four and asserted their dominance early with three in the opening fourteen minutes with Enzo Griffier (4th minute), Jackson Pennell (8th) and Baxter Warner (14th) touching down.

The teams went back and forth in the second half, with Griffier and Warner bagging doubles, while a try to halfback Toby Rodwell with five minutes remaining sealed the result. 

The first-placed Roosters will head west to face the Western Suburbs Magpies at Kirkham Oval in Round 8. 

Andrew Johns Cup | Roosters Reach Grand Final 

Central Coast Roosters 18 def Western Rams 10

The Central Coast Roosters Andrew Johns Cup side are a step closer to claiming back-to-back titles following an 18-10 win over the Western Rams at Woy Woy Oval. 

Both sides took some time to warm up into their semi-final, but it was the Tricolours striking first and in quick succession with Alexander Stephenson and Tulsyn McCulloch touching down in the 24th and 28th minute respectively for a 12-nil lead.

The Rams looked to emulate the Roosters' quickfire scoring to close the gap to two with 20 minutes remaining, but it was try-scoring winger Semi Leweniqila who sealed the result to help the Roosters to their second successive Grand Final. 

The Central Coast Roosters will face the MacArthur Wests Tigers in the 2024 Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final, with venue and times to come. 

Laurie Daley Cup | Roosters Gallant in Semi-Final 

Central Coast Roosters 18 def by Monaro Colts 26

The Central Coast Roosters were gallant in defeat in their semi-final against the Monaro Colts with their impressive season coming to a close, 26-18. 

The Tricolours faced an uphill battle with Zahn McKay the sole try-scorer in the first half, with a 20-6 deficit at the break.

Monaro extended their lead soon after, and while Samisoni Talakai and Chaice Bayle found themselves on the scoresheet, it was too little too late for the Roosters, with their season ending in an eight-point defeat. 

The Sydney Roosters would like to congratulate the players and staff of the Central Coast Roosters on their 2024 season.