Pathways Preview: Under 17s Grand Finals

Our girls face a tall task but say they are more than ready for the challenge against a team which is unbeaten and which has been thumping most opponents this season.

The Bulldogs, who boast several New Zealand imports, scored 468 points in eight games, conceding just 48, before defeating the Knights 22-4 to progress to the grand final.

A couple of their cricket scores were against the Dragons (98-0) and Sea Eagles (94-0).

Wests Tigers lost to the Bulldogs 36-8 in Round 7, but our team has vastly improved since that contest in Camden.

This exuberant group of fun-loving local juniors have won eight from 10 games this season and are coming off terrific semi-final victories against the Central Coast Roosters and Illawarra Steelers.

Coach’s Comments: Scott Clark

The team has trained really well this week, and our preparation has not changed from previous weeks. We have made sure we have enjoyed the week as well, recognising what we have achieved throughout our season to get to the Grand Final.

The good thing is the players are better prepared mentally as we have played the Bulldogs before, we know how they play , what to expect. The team were disappointed in how they played against them earlier in the season and that has made us even hungrier going into this game.

Then at midday Wests Magpies will take on the New Zealand Warriors in the Harold Matthews Cup Grand Final, aiming for the club’s second title inside three years.

This group of young men are following in the footsteps of the class of 2022, which included the likes of Lachlan Galvin, Tallyn Da Silva, Kit Laulilii, all of whom have since made their NRL debut.

It was great to see the whole Matts squad at the Zurich Centre on Wednesday, watching on intently as the NRL team had its main session for the week.

These boys are unbeaten in nine games this season, finishing equal top of the ladder with the Bulldogs. 

They head into the decider following a 16-16 draw against the Eels in the final round of the regular season and a two-point win over the Sharks last weekend.

Although yet to meet the Warriors this season, these teams look pretty evenly matched on paper. The Warriors beat the Eels 30-20 in week one of the finals before a shock victory over the Bulldogs in the grand final qualifier last weekend.

Coach’s Comment: Stephen Isdale

It’s such an exciting week for the boys and their families.  My instructions have been to prepare well and enjoy the week together. We have lost middle forward Maddax Fui but Henari Reti comes in and is ready to go.

As a coach I said from day one that I would be picking a squad that I was confident in, and everyone of them has played their part this season.  Every player has played a minimum of two games in the season, so all the boys can be proud of what they’ve done to help this team get to the big one.