Weekend Review: Round 1

After a fast start for Wests Tigers, the defending premiers were outplayed by a strong Cronulla side, with Sharks wingers, Brandi Davis-Welsh and Ella Barker crossing for two tries apiece.

Najvada George was Wests Tigers’ first try-scorer for the new season while hooking duo, Ebony Prior and Sophie Curtain both went over for four-pointers.

The loss of Losana Lutu to injury proved too much to overcome for the home side, eventually succumbing to a 12-point loss after the teenage halfback’s premature exit from the contest.

Harvey Norman Tarsha Gale Cup (U/19s)

Wests Tigers were three minutes away from securing a win on the opening day of the Tarsha Gale Cup season, but a late try to Manly five-eighth Aaliyah Haumono meant it was heartbreak for the home side.

Winger Havana Simpson scored a double, with returning second-rower Mia Taylor also getting her name on the scoresheet for Wests Tigers. 

SG Ball Cup (U/19s) - Western Suburbs

In extremely promising signs for the season ahead, Western Suburbs scored a big victory over a highly-touted Manly side in Round 1 of the SG Ball Cup.

A big portion of the Wests squad consists of players who won the Harold Matthews Cup premiership in 2022, and it was one of that team’s star players, Lachlan Galvin, who scored the Magpies' first try of the new season.

Powerful centre Solomone Saukuru (whose father Joey, coaches the side) produced two damaging efforts to collect a double, while Heath Mason, Heith Pritchard and Faaletino Tavana scored tries.

Galvin collected his second for the day, late in the contest to seal a great opening win for Wests.

SG Ball Cup (U/19s) - Balmain 

Balmain’s SG Ball Cup team went down in Round 1, after failing to overcome a fast start from a strong Cronulla outfit.

After falling behind 18-0 early in the contest, the Tigers produced a good patch of footy in the back end of the first half, leading to Lachlan Broederlow opening Balmain’s 2023 account.

However, two tries before half-time eliminated almost all hope of a comeback for the home side, eventually going down by 18 points.

Co-captain Tony Sukkar was among the Tigers' best players along with Lachlan Broederlow on debut.

Harold Matthews Cup (U/17s) - Western Suburbs

A new-look Magpies Harold Matthews side proved to be a class above Manly in Round 1, with this young side showcasing their full potential.

Heamasi Makasini, who starred in the Australian Schoolboys U/15’s National Championships in 2022, scored a double on his Harold Matthews Cup debut, with returning fullback (and now captain), Luke Laulilii and promising five-eighth Onitoni Large, also amongst the try-scorers.

Harold Matthews Cup (U/17s) - Balmain

After a closely-fought opening half, Cronulla ran away with a 20-point victory over Balmain in Round 1 of the Harold Matthews Cup.

The Sharks took a four-point lead into the break before Balmain skipper Alex Conti crashed over and converted to bring the game to within two points. 

However, the Tigers struggled to recover after hooker Jared Haywood departed the contest due to a failed HIA, with Cronulla taking hold of the contest. 

Balmain fullback, Michael Nassar was a clear standout in a losing side, making several line breaks around the ruck and displaying a tremendous work rate, even with the result out of reach, late in the contest.

Laurie Daley Cup (U/18s) - Macarthur Wests Tigers 

Macarthur Wests Tigers’ Laurie Daley Cup team fell to an 18-point loss in Round 1, with Western Rams proving too strong on the day.

After holding on to a two-point lead for a long stretch of the contest, the repeated defensive efforts that Macarthur Wests had to come up with, eventually proved decisive, with the Rams taking advantage of the away side’s tired legs, late in the game.

2022 Wests Harold Matthews premiership-winner Tajh Colquhoun was a clear standout in a losing side.

Andrew Johns Cup (U/16s) - Macarthur Wests Tigers 

An entirely new-look Andrew Johns Cup team were strong in their first hit out of the year, coming up with a solid win against a Western Rams side who didn’t die wondering.

Wingers Paul Johnson and Isaac Orji both crossed for doubles, with Johnson a particular standout on the day, his damaging carries proving difficult to handle for the Rams' defence.

Outstanding performances off the interchange bench from hooker Brooklyn Milford and workhorse prop Hayden Young also proved decisive in Macarthur Wests Tigers picking up their opening-round win.