Pathways Preview: Week 3

The Magpies will attempt to score their first win of the season in Round 3 as they take on a strong Rabbitohs side who are looking to remain undefeated.

Junior Fagalele was impressive on debut and will look to further cement himself in the Magpies lineup with another good performance.

Christian Taupau-Moors lines up at prop after extending his deal with Wests Tigers during the week.

UNE SG Ball Cup (Under 19s) - Balmain Tigers

Balmain have opened their 2025 campaign with two victories and play Manly this week, who have had one win and one loss.

The Tigers will attempt to go three from three without two of their spine players, Marc Tannous and Jared Haywood, as they feature in this week’s NRL trial against the Bulldogs.

“We are really enjoying the season with each other,” says Head Coach, Shane Sultana.

“Being 10-0 down last weekend, it was a good test of character and resilience and we’re really happy with the way they are developing.

“We can’t wait to play back at Leichhardt this week.”

Westpac Tarsha Gale Cup (Under 19s) - Wests Tigers

The Wests Tigers Tarsha Gale Cup team is another to begin the season with two victories from two and they play the 1-1 Penrith Panthers in Round 3.

Lucyannah Luamanu-Leiataua and Evie McGrath once again headline this team’s strong lineup.

Ellie Barnett and Tiresa Leasuasu have also impressed in the early rounds of the 2025 campaign.

SLE Laurie Daley Cup (Under 18s) - Macarthur Wests Tigers 

After a dominant 38-0 win to begin their season, Macarthur Wests Tigers travel to Bruce to take on Monaro this weekend.

The Colts were defeated 34-12 by the Northern Rivers Titans in Round 1.

Aaron Paea, Glassie Glassie and Will Jenkins were particular standouts in the big opening win for Macarthur Wests Tigers.

UNE Harold Matthews Cup (Under 17s) - Western Suburbs Magpies 

The Wests Magpies U/17’s will aim to make it three wins from three this weekend, as they take on a Rabbitohs side attempting to achieve the same feat.

Head Coach Stephen Isdale has been pleased with his team’s effort so far in 2025.

“What was encouraging for the boys last week is they were able to respond quickly to an early setback and take control of the match,” says Isdale.

“We still have a lot of improvement left in us which is encouraging.

“The boys are excited about this week’s big challenge against Souths but also getting our first home game back at Camden is always great.”

UNE Harold Matthews Cup (Under 17s) - Balmain Tigers

Balmain’s Harold Matthews Cup team take on the Bulldogs this week as they look to score their first win of the 2025 season.

Head Coach Greg Michell is confident their first scalp is not too far away.

“We took a lot of positives out of the weekend's loss to Dragons,” said Michell. 

“We were a lot more resilient and we got back into the game to give ourselves a shot at victory.

"Bulldogs are a good footy team and we'll have to continue our improvement to test them. I'm confident we are on an upward trajectory.

Lisa Fiaola Cup (U/17s) - Wests Tigers

The Wests Tigers Lisa Fiaola Cup team play out of Windsor on Saturday, as they face the Penrith Panthers.

The U/17’s girls bounced back in a big way in Round 1, securing a 40-6 win over the Raiders.

Spine players, Dawn Tui and Khiarna Munro were dominant forces in the big victory.

"The playing squad are not getting ahead of themselves, as they know they still have a lot of improvement in themselves both as individuals and as a team,” says Head Coach Scott Clark.

"This will be needed with another tough game against the Panthers this weekend and we will need to also go up another level in effort and execution.

“It’s something we have touched and built on this week at training.”

SLE Andrew Johns Cup (Under 16s) -  Macarthur Wests Tigers

Macarthur Wests Tigers’ Andrew Johns Cup team take on Monaro in Bruce this weekend after impressing in their opening fixture.

They overcame the Riverina Bulls in a 26-12 win, with Terowie Golding-Lyons and Sam Francis arguably the best on ground in the big win.

"This week at training we’ve focused on us and how we can be better,” says Head Coach, Adam Whitelaw.

"We must complete better than we did last week as Monaro is an opposition that could make us pay.

“The team has trained well so far, so we should be up for the game.”