RLO Newsletter 24/5: Flegg Round 12, Colts Round 5
We take an in depth look into an unjust sin binning.
Tweed and Redcliffe remain undefeated after five rounds of the Hastings Deering Colts, joining the Tigers in equal first (who had a bye). Tweed, who was without Titans prospects Jaylan De Groot and Ryan Foran, beat Ipswich by 20 points. The winless Jets put up a good fight, getting within six inside the final 15 minutes. The Dolphins kept their winning run alive with a 22-point win over the previously undefeated Cutters. I’d say Tweed and Redcliffe are the clear standouts so far, with the Tigers just below them.
The other games on Saturday saw the Sunshine Coast blow out the Capras 56–12 and Souths Logan take care of the Pride 54–12. The Pride and Capras are also yet to win in 2023. Five-eighth Jaxen Yow made his Colts debut for the Magpies, scoring a hat trick. A Keebra Park graduate by way of Townsville, Yow played for Canberra in the SG Ball earlier this year.
The final Saturday game gave us something rare in non-final Colts football. A close finish. Burleigh hung for a 30–24 win over the Clydesdales. After the Clydesdales scored to cut the lead to four, an insane final five minutes followed in which Bears’ forward Kaden Somerville was binned for a dangerous tackle and was joined three minutes later by teammate Boston Tagg and the Clydesdales Lachlan Fanning following a push-and-shove contest.
Fanning was a victim of mistaken identity who, after reviewing the tape, did nothing wrong. Let’s take a look.
Brock Patti (holding the ball) has just dropped it. Burleigh #15 Samuel McIntyre gets in his face.
The aforementioned push-and-shove ensues.
Burleigh #7 Boston Tagg (who is binned) joins the fracas and is then pulled away by Clydesdales #7 Kai Duggan. While this is happening, the referee keeps track of who runs in and mentions “15 and 7”.
Clydesdales #15 Lachlan Fanning enters the screen for the first time in all this. He hangs around the outside of the melee and does not get involved.
See? His hands are even raised.
The teams are separated and the referee calls over Burleigh captain Hunter Ploegsma and Tagg. He sin bins Tagg and Ploegsma starts to leave, thinking it was him before being called back.
Then he calls over Duggan and Fanning, where Fanning gets binned for running in! Fanning is in disbelief and asks Duggan, “Am I (jersey) 15?”. Justice for Lachlan Fanning.
The Bears somehow got the penalty, kicked a goal and won by six.
The round wrapped up on Sunday with Townsville destroying Norths 52–6. Jamal Shibasaki made his debut for the Blackhawks, a week after he made his Queensland Cup debut against PNG.
Team of the Week: 1 Byron Johnson (SLM), 2 Jakeem Thompson (SCF), 3 Logan Radzievic (TWE), 4 Mason Peut (SCF), 5 Cathane Hill (TSV), 6 Jaxen Yow (SLM), 7 Zack Lamont (TSV), 8 Tevita Toloi (RED), 9 Ayden Hoad (RED), 10 Elijah Rasmussen (RED), 11 Jesse Tu'inukuafe (BUR), 12 Jett Elich (SCF), 13 Max Pakai (SLM).
Jersey Flegg – Round 12
Cronulla got Round 12 underway with a 26–20 win over Newcastle at Henson Park. The Knights, who trailed 22–6 at one point, got within two inside the final 10 minutes before a try to Cain Barnes sealed the win for the second-placed Sharks.
Hours before their NRL team decimated the Cowboys and ruined my weekend and possibly the year, the Wests Tigers pulled off a huge upset win over Penrith at Leichhardt. It was the team’s fourth win of the year and the Panthers’ first defeat since Round 4.
On Sunday, the Roosters bounced back from their first loss of the season with a 34–12 win over the Dragons. A tight game for 50 minutes before three tries inside the final 12 minutes won it for the Tricolours. At Accor Stadium, Canterbury defeated the bottom-of-the-ladder Raiders 26–10. In what is probably unprecedented, the Dogs made THIRTEEN changes to their side that lost to Melbourne in Round 1. They’ve already used 46 players in 2023.
The weekend wrapped up in Mascot, with South Sydney running out 32–20 winners over Parramatta. Diminutive Rabbitohs five-eighth Jye Gray scored a hat trick in the win. Gray, a Queensland under-19 representative in 2022, joined the Bunnies from Souths Logan this year.
Team of the Week: 1 Trey Peni (WST), 2 Jonathan Su'a (CBY), 3 Noah Lester (CRO), 4 Michael Gabrael (CBY), 5 Matt Komolafe (PAR), 6 Jye Gray (SOU), 7 Tyler Colley (SYD), 8 Chris Faagutu (WST), 9 Sam Healey (CRO), 10 Tayson Fakaosi (SYD), 11 Sione Vaihu (WST), 12 James Kokkinos (SOU), 13 Blake Hosking (CRO).
2023 Women’s National Championships
The under-19 NSW City and Queensland Rubys sides drew 8–all in the final game of the Women’s National Championships on the Gold Coast this past weekend. The two sides went undefeated and topped their pools, with City front rower Alexis Tauaneai picking up the Tahnee Norris Medal for Player of the Tournament.
City opened their tournament with a 24–4 win over fellow under-19s the Queensland Sapphires and then went on to defeat the open-age NSW Emerging Country (20–4) and Western Australia (10–6). The Rubys began their campaign with victories over two under-19 sides, NSW Country (14–0) and Ahi Ka Aotearoa (22–6), before defeating the open First Nations Gems 12–6.
Team of the Tournament: 1 Madeline Burton (Australian Defence Force), 2 Grace-Lee Weekes (NSW City), 3 Latoniya Norris-Addo (Northern Territory), 4 Nanise Vakacavu (Northern Territory), 5 Georgia Willey (NSW Country), 6 Krystal Blackwell (NSW Emerging Country), 7 Tamara Ruaporo (Ahi Kā Aotearoa), 8 Vanique Malayta (First Nations Gems), 9 Emma Barnes (Queensland Rubys), 10 Alexis Tauaneai (NSW City), 11 Rilee Jorgensen (Queensland Rubys), 12 Kate Fallon (First Nation Gems), 13 Anneka Stephens (Western Australia), 14 Jacinta Carter (Queensland Rubys), 15 Jemma Crane (NSW Emerging Country), 16 Ashlee Makim (Australian Defence Force), 17 Kate Eldridge (Victoria), 18 Emily Bella (Queensland Sapphires).
Three of the players named have signed NRLW contracts with Emerging Country’s Krystal Blackwell recently signing with the Cowboys, Emma Barnes with Canberra and Rilee Jorgensen with the Titans.
Around the grounds
For more information on all games head to 18thman.com.
Jersey Flegg Cup – Round 12
Cronulla 26 (Cain Barnes, Kristian Dixon, Joshua Finau, Cody Fuz, Ben Lavender tries; Max Riolo 2, Kristian Dixon goals) def. Newcastle 20 (Kyle McCarthy 2, Mitch Henderson, Oryn Keeley tries; Liam Sutton 2 goals) at Henson Park. Referee: Blake Williams. Halftime: CRO 16–6. Tackles: Blake Hosking 26 (CRO), Riley Jones 30 (NEW). Run Metres: Noah Lester 137 (CRO), Simon Tito 140 (NEW).
Wests Tigers 28 (Zane Camroux, Chris Faagutu, Josh Feledy, Harrison Henson, Jay Kirk tries; Zane Camroux 4 goals) def. Penrith 20 (Timothy Sielaff-Burns 2, Angelis Hotere-Papalii, Ryley Smith tries; Timothy Sielaff-Burns 2 goals) at Leichhardt Oval. Referee: Ben Seppala. Halftime: PEN 10–4. Tackles: Sione Vaihu 28 (WST), Billy Scott 34 (PEN). Run metres: Trey Peni 180 (WST), Cody Lawson 128 (PEN).
Sydney 34 (Xavier Chatfield-Mooka, Tayson Fakaosi, Kyron Fekitoa, Matua Robinson, Jack Smith, Jordan Swann tries; Tyler Colley 5 goals) def. St George Illawarra 12 (Te Umuariki Heremia-Tukere, Kyan Hjaltason tries; Ashton Ward 2 goals) at Collegians Sports Centre. Referee: Brendan Mani. Halftime: SYD 16–6. Tackles: Kyan Hjaltason 40 (SGI), Sione Vaenuku 20 (SYD). Run metres: Campbell Watchirs 219 (SGI), Tayson Fakaosi 178 (SYD).
Canterbury 26 (Cameron Lawrence 2, Harry Hayes, Montel Sione Lisala, Jonathan Su’a tries; Jonathan Su’a 3 goals) def. Canberra 10 (Jake Clydsdale, Jaxon Lavender tries; Regan Carr goal) at Accor Stadium. Referee: Michael Ford. Halftime: CBY 16–4. Tackles: Luke Smith 29 (CBY), Jaxon Lavender 24 (CAN). Run metres: Michael Gabrael 186 (CBY), Kalani Skipps 198 (CAN).
South Sydney 32 (Jye Gray 3, Archie Donnelly, James Kokkinos, Tyrone Munro tries; Joseph Nohra 4 goals) def. Parramatta 20 (Matt Komolafe 2, Sam Loizou 2 tries; Ethan Sanders 2 goals) at Mascot Oval. Referee: Ethan Klein. Halftime: PAR 16–14. Tackles: James Kokkinos 30 (SOU), Will Latu 29 (PAR). Run metres: Jye Gray 164 (SOU), Matt Komolafe 148 (PAR).
Ladder: 1 Sydney (20 pts), 2 Cronulla (20), 3 Canterbury (18), 4 Penrith (17), 5 South Sydney (17), 6 Parramatta (14), 7 Melbourne (14), 8 Wests Tigers (12), 9 St George Illawarra (12), 10 Newcastle (10), 11 Manly (8), 12 Canberra (8).
Top Try Scorers: 11 Isaac Guba (SYD), 9 Cain Barnes (CRO), 8 Matthew Hill (MEL), 7 Jordan Swann (SYD), 7 Turoa Williams (PAR), 6 Josh Feledy (WST), 6 James Uesele (MAN), 6 Aston Warwick (PEN), 5 Kyron Fekitoa (SYD), 5 Freeman Forsythe (NEW). Top Point Scorers: 64 Max Riolo (CRO), 62 Keagan Russell-Smith (MEL), 61 Joseph Nohra (SOU), 58 Zane Camroux (WST), 48 Hugo Savala (SYD), 46 Tyler Colley (SYD), 44 Isaac Guba (SYD), 42 Eli Clark (CBY), 36 Cain Barnes (CRO), 36 Jonathan Su’a (CBY).
Hastings Deering Colts – Round 5
Tweed 42 (Max Liles 2, Malakhi Donovan, Blake Forder, Nicholas Hilton, Jaxson Longa, Jordan Stewart-Lewis, Jayden Wright tries; Logan Radzievic 5 goals) def. Ipswich 22 (Ryan Balint, Jaden Carpenter, Casey Harding, Conor Lalor-Brennan tries; Casey Harding 3 goals) at North Ipswich Reserve. Referee: Tori Wilkie. Halftime: TWE 22–12. Tackles: John-Jeffrey Wilson-Mackie 27 (IPS), Jordan Stewart-Lewis 27 (TWE). Run metres: Samson Sauaso 184 (IPS), Logan Radzievic 175 (TWE).
Redcliffe 32 (Noah Lutui 2, Brenton Baira, Ayden Hoad, Taniela Otukolo, Tevita Toloi tries; Brenton Baira 4 goals) def. Mackay 10 (Kobe Bone, Kai Simon tries; Henri Stocks goal) at Jim Lawrie Oval. Referee: Adam Rossiter. Halftime: RED 22–6. Tackles: Braith Major 38 (RED), Kobe Bone 43 (MKY). Run metres: Elijah Rasmussen 164 (RED), Hugh Arthur 151 (MKY).
Sunshine Coast 56 (Mason Peut 2, Brendan Siebuhr 2, Elliot Smethills 2, Josh Chappell, Saxon Day, Corey Herdegen, Kayd North tries; Corey Herdegen 7, Josh Chappell goals) def. CQ Capras 12 (Selemaia Taungahihifo, Bob Tenza tries; Harry Barham, Jake Barham goals) at Browne Park. Referee: Dylan Lawrence. Halftime: SCF 34–6. Tackles: Kelly Shadlow 34 (CQL), Kayd North 25 (SCF). Run metres: Bob Tenza 164 (CQL), Mason Peut 224 (SCF).
Souths Logan 54 (Jaxen Yow 3, Denzel Samoa 2, Byron Johnson, William Lawrence, Jeremiah Muld, Max Pakai, Che Potaka tries; Byron Johnson 7 goals) def. Northern Pride 12 (Hamish Davies, Caiban Thaiday tries; Dmitri Ahwang 2 goals) at Tully Showgrounds. Referee: Nick McEwan. Halftime: SLM 32–6. Tackles: Hamish Davies 35 (NPR), Max Pakai 40 (SLM). Run metres: Bill Salameh 174 (NPR), Denzel Samoa 203 (SLM).
Burleigh 30 (Kedan Chan-Tung, Seth Nikotemo, Xavier Stowers, Boston Tagg, Jesse Tu’inukuafe tries; Boston Tagg 4, Cruz Lasike goals) def. Western Clydesdales 24 (Jakeem Thompson 3, Flynn Kaiser Capewell, Bud Smith tries; Kai Duggan 2 goals) at UAA Park. Referee: Lachlan Sutton. Halftime: BUR 22–8. Tackles: Jesse Tu’inukuafe 28 (BUR), Hayden Ensbey 29 (WCL). Run metres: Edward Finau 137 (BUR), Kaden Buhse 180 (WCL).
Townsville 52 (Tyreice Baira-Gela 2, Ragarive Wavik 2, Kurt Fisher, Tyrone Gunn-James, Cathane Hill, Zack Lamont, Henry Teutau tries; Declan Dowson 7, Ragarive Wavik goals) def. Norths 6 (Ethan Jones try; Reece Briers goal) at Bishop Park. Referee: Cody Kwik. Halftime: TSV 36–0. Tackles: Harry Walters 26 (NOR), Joel Baldwin 29 (TSV). Run metres: Declan Haydon 174 (NOR), Jesse Yallop 193 (TSV).
Ladder: 1 Tweed (10 pts), 2 Redcliffe (10), 3 Brisbane Tigers (10), 4 Wynnum Manly (8), 5 Mackay (8), 6 Townsville (6), 7 Sunshine Coast (6), 8 Burleigh (6), 9 Souths Logan (4), 10 Western Clydesdales (4), 11 Norths Devils (4), 12 CQ Capras (2), 13 Ipswich (2), 14 Northern Pride (0).
Top Try Scorers: 8 Malakhi Donovan (TWE), 6 Blayden Dodd (NOR), 6 Ayden Hoad (RED), 6 Jakeem Thompson (WCL), 6 Jesse Yallop (TSV), 5 Corey Thomas (RED), 5 Lachlan West (BRI), 4 Kobe Bone (MKY), 4 Jaylan De Groot (TWE), 4 Dudley Dotoi (TSV). Top Point Scorers: 48 Corey Herdegen (SCF), 46 Byron Johnson (SLM), 44 Bailey Black (BRI), 44 Sefa Roache-Faimalo (WYN), 40 Kai Duggan (WCL), 40 Logan Radzievic (TWE), 36 Blayden Dodd (NOR), 32 Malakhi Donovan (TWE), 32 Ragarive Wavik (TSV), 28 Henri Stocks (MKY).
Super League Academy
Hull FC 34 def. Leeds 22 at Stanningley ARLFC
Wigan 70 def. Castleford 4 at Robin Park Arena
Warrington 68 def. Newcastle 6 at Monk Sports Club
Wakefield 28 def. Bradford 24 at The Be Well Support Stadium
St Helens 52 def. Hull KR 12 at Totally Wicked Stadium
Ladder: 1 St Helens (12 pts), 2 Warrington (10), 3 Wigan (10), 4 Hull FC (10), 5 Leeds (6), 6 Wakefield (6), 7 Bradford (4), 8 Huddersfield (4), 9 Hull KR (2), 10 Castleford (2), 11 London (0), 12 Newcastle (0).
Upcoming fixtures
Jersey Flegg Cup – Round 13
27/5 Parramatta vs. Melbourne – Kellyville Park, 2:45pm
27/5 South Sydney vs. Canberra – Accor Stadium, 3:25pm
28/5 St George Illawarra vs. Wests Tigers – Collegians Sports Centre, 11:15am
28/5 Newcastle vs. Manly – McDonald Jones Stadium, 11:30am
28/5 Sydney vs. Cronulla – Wentworth Park, 11:45am
Canterbury, Penrith – BYE
Hastings Deering Colts – Round 6
27/5 Tweed vs. Wynnum Manly – Piggabeen Sports Complex, 12pm
27/5 Ipswich vs. Burleigh – North Ipswich Reserve, 1pm
27/5 CQ Capras vs. Norths Devils – Browne Park, 2pm
27/5 Souths Logan vs. Redcliffe – Logan Metro Football Fields, 3pm
27/5 Mackay vs. Brisbane Tigers – BB Print Stadium, 3:45pm
Northern Pride, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Western Clydesdales – BYE
Academy Origin – Game II
27/5 Yorkshire vs. Lancashire – Sewell Craven Group Park, 12:30pm (Lancashire lead 1–0).
NRL Schoolboy Cup
Allan Langer Trophy – Round 1
30/5 Palm Beach Currumbin SHS vs. Marsden SHS – Tugun RLFC, 3pm
30/5 Mabel Park SHS vs. Redcliffe SHS – Totally Workwear Stadium, 4pm
30/5 Wavell SHS vs. Caloundra SHS – Wavell State High, 4pm
30/5 Keebra Park SHS vs. Ipswich SHS – Owen Park, 5:30pm
Dolphins Cup – Round 1
30/5 St Brendan’s Yeppoon vs. Shalom College – St Brendan’s College, 3:30pm
30/5 Emmaus College vs. The Cathedral College – Emmaus College, 5:30pm
Rockhampton Grammar – BYE
Aaron Payne Cup – Round 1
30/5 Trinity Bay SHS vs. Kirwan SHS – Trinity Bay State High, 11am
30/5 St Patrick’s Mackay vs. Ignatius Park College – Leprechaun Park, 11:30am
30/5 Mareeba SHS vs. St Augustine’s Cairns – Davies Park, 3:15pm
30/5 Mackay SHS vs. Holy Spirit College – Mackay JRL Grounds, 5:45pm
Peter Mulholland Cup – Round 1 / Round 3
26/5 Hallam Secondary College vs. Mt Ridley College – TBC, 12pm
26/5 Victoria Uni College vs. The Grange P-12 College – TBC, 12pm
30/5 Patrician Brothers Fairfield vs. Matraville Sports High – New Era Stadium, 6pm