In a major achievement for the Club, the Sydney Roosters have qualified teams for three of the four junior representative grand finals being played at Leichhardt Oval this Saturday. This achievement is testimony to the emphasis that the Sydney Roosters place on junior development and producing future NRL and NRLW players.
S.G. Ball Cup (Men’s Under 19s)
The Roosters will face minor premiers Parramatta at 3:15 pm. Despite a tough season with several key injuries, coach Boyd Cordner has led the team to six straight wins to reach the Grand Final. The squad includes NRL squad halfback Toby Rodwell, Tyson Walker (brother of Sam Walker), Lui Lee, Jackson Stewart, Ituku Seve and Darcy Smith. The Roosters seek their fifth S.G. Ball title, having last won in 2014.
They are coached by former Roosters, NSW and Australian captain Boyd Cordner. After working with the NRL squad as an assistant coach Cordner took on his first head coaching role this season and has taken his team into a Grand Final. The team won just two of its first five games, albeit losing two narrowly and drawing with Parramatta in another, but has since won six games straight and will be looking for a seventh consecutive win in the Grand Final.
Tarsha Gale Cup (Women’s Under 19s)
The Sydney Roosters Indigenous Academy take on Parramatta at 1:30 pm after a fairytale run from 7th place, winning three sudden-death finals. The team features future NRLW stars Aliyah Nasio and Tyra Ekepati, and is coached by current Roosters, NSW, and Australian hooker Keeley Davis, assisted by Corban Baxter and Melissa Spero. This marks Davis’ first season as head coach. The Roosters have won this competition in 2022 and 2023.
Lisa Fiaola Cup (Women’s Under 17s)
The Central Coast Roosters will play Parramatta at 10:30 am. Coached by Roosters and NSW winger Jayme Fressard, with assistants Isabelle Kelly and Jocelyn Kelleher, the side has been dominant, conceding few points all season. Led by standout five-eighth Mia Vaotuua (13 tries in 10 games), the team aims to finish their near-perfect season with a premiership.
With so much talent on show, and with the Roosters featuring in three of the four Grand Finals, Leichhardt Oval is the place to be for all those not in Brisbane for Magic Round. Get out there and cheer for the mighty red, white and blue.
