Wests Tigers fans have been on an emotional rollercoaster the last month or so as the club worked through Lachlan Galvin’s exit.
And although the Tigers have lost one exciting talent, there’s a couple more coming through that should get the fans very excited with Luke Laulilii and Tallyn Da Silva putting on a show in New South Wales Cup.
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Meanwhile, Paul Alamoti found himself in reserve grade for the first time since late last season and responded with a solid performance in the Panthers’ big win over the Eels.
Dolphins livewire Trai Fuller returned from an ACL injury and rising Roosters winger Tom Rodwell announced himself with an enormous four-try effort.
All of that and more in the latest edition of Reserve Grade Wrap.
Barnett out for season wirh ACL injury | 00:28
ALL EYES WERE ON…
Take a bow Luke Laulilii and Tallyn Da Silva. The pair carved up reigning premiers Newtown Jets in the Western Suburbs Magpies’ 32-22 win.
18-year-old Laulilii, who is still eligible for SG Ball, starred at fullback with a try, three try assists, a linebreak, three linebreak assists, six tackle busts and 252 running metres.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old hooker Tallyn Da Silva was equally impressive with a try, a try assist, a linebreak, a linebreak assist, six tackle busts, an intercept, 122 metres and 34 tackles — one miss.
Da Silva was a mainstay in the Tigers’ NRL side for the first 10 rounds but has lost his spot to Brent Naden in recent weeks.
However it’ll be hard for coach Benji Marshall to keep Da Silva out of the 17 after that performance.
Laulilii had a rapid rise last year going from SG Ball to NSW Cup in a matter of weeks before making his NRL debut later in the season.
The pair were members of the Magpies’ 2022 Harold Matthews Cup premiership-winning team alongside Galvin.
Tom Rodwell was on fire on the wing for the Roosters, bagging four tries and running 223 metres.in their 48-24 win over the Raiders. The 23-year-old joined the club after four seasons in the Sharks’ system and winning last year’s premiership with the Newtown Jets.
Rodwell now has 13 tries in 12 appearances, while also averaging 152 running metres per game.
He’s the older brother of Toby Rodwell, who is the young playmaker the Roosters have locked in on a Top 30 deal until the end of 2028, and both are the sons of Illawarra Steelers legend Brett Rodwell.
Paul Alamoti was last year’s grand final hero, but last week he was dropped to NSW Cup.
Ivan Cleary hasn’t given away much on his reasons behind the decision and what Alamoti needs to do to be recalled, but the 21-year-old responded with a solid performance.
Alamoti finished with a linebreak, a linebreak assist, 148 metres, five tackle busts and 14 tackles with no misses. He also had a perfect day on the boot, kicking seven goals from seven attempts.
Elsewhere, Dolphins fan favourite Trai Fuller made his return from an ACL injury. Fuller has played all of his Queensland Cup footy for the Dolphins but they had the bye last weekend so the 28-year-old returned via fellow feeder side CQ Capras instead.
Fuller only played the first half and finished with eight runs for 86 metres.
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NSW CUP STANDOUTS
Ben Rumble won’t forget Round 13’s win any time soon with the Dragons winger bagging a hat-trick — including the matchwinner — in a thrilling ending.
The Dragons led 22-nil until the Knights snuck in a try right before half time. The Knights then scored three tries after the break to snatch a 24-22 lead with five minutes to go.
But Rumble struck with his third try in the 78th minute to seal the win. It was the 21-year-old’s fourth hat-trick of the season.
Rising playmaker Jonah Glover also had a busy game, finishing with two try assists, two linebreak assists, 68 running metres and 25 tackles — no misses.
And on a losing side, Knights second-rower Francis Manuleleua was impressive with a try, a try assist, two linebreaks, a linebreak assist, six tackle busts, 160 running metres and 26 tackles — two misses.
The 21-year-old arrived to the club from the Panthers ahead of this season with head of recruitment Peter O’Sullivan saying at the time of his signing: “I’ve watched him play since he was Fourteen, he is one of the more talented players I have come across.”
Daeon Amituanai bagged a double to go with his linebreak, linebreak assist and 147 running metres in the Warriors’ win over the Rabbitohs, while Taine Tuaupiki was unstoppable at fullback with a try, a try assist, nine tackle busts and 215 metres.
The Bears escaped with a four-point win over the Sea Eagles with hooker Jayden Yates having arguably his best game to date. The 24-year-old, who made the switch from the Eels last season, scored a try, set up another, got a linebreak, a linebreak assist, 161 running metres and four tackle busts. He also made a game-high of 48 tackles with just one miss.
There was plenty to like about the Sea Eagles though with experienced forward Tof Sipley having an impact on the game early with a try in the sixth minute. He finished with 20 runs for 205 metres and 37 tackles — however he did miss five.
Rising forward Caleb Navale was busy too with 17 runs for 162 metes and a team-high of 45 tackles, but he did miss three.
Trent Toelau looked the goods while steering the Penrith ship in the No.7 jersey and with the ‘c’ next to his name too. Toelau scored a try and set two more up in the win over western sydney rivals, the Eels. He also ran over 100 metres and made 19 tackles with no misses.
Fullback Jack Attard celebrated his NSW Cup debut with a double while Billy Phillips was busy at lock with a try, 130 metres and 36 tackles, but he did miss six.
The future is looking bright at the Roosters with several up-and-comers impressing in their win over the Raiders.
Fullback Ethan King set up two tries and ran 175 metres, while five-eighth Jake Elliott scored a try, set up another and got three linebreak assists.
Emotional Johnston reflects on 200th try | 01:26
QUEENSLAND CUP STANDOUTS
It was raining tries on the Sunshine Coast with winger Zion Johnson scored four consecutive tries in his side’s 32-8 win over Mackay. Johnson also finished with three linbreaks and 182 running metres.
Centre Mason Peut saw some joy too, setting up three tries and getting two linebreak assists, while Cooper Page-Wilson brought plenty of spark off the bench. The prop notched up 148 metres and 24 tackles with no misses and was rewarded for his efforts with a try in the 78th minute.
Oliver Pascoe had a dream game for Ipswich, bagging a hat-trick as well as getting three linebreaks, running 139 metres and making 38 tackles with one miss. Playmaker Dion Teaupa scored 18 of Ipswich’s 42 points with a try and seven goals from seven attempts. He also set up a try.
Tiernan Ross was busy on the wing for Wynnum Manly with two try assists, two linebreaks and 132 metres, but Josh Coric stole the show with a near flawless performance. The 23-year-old prop, who joined Wynnum Manly from the Dragons this season, finished with 188 metres and 22 tackles — no misses — off the bench.
Dolphins playmaker Sean O’Sullivan scored a double and set up another try for feeder side Norths Devils, while Blake Paskins carved up in the centres with a try, a linebreak, nine tackle busts and 188 metres.
Guy Hamilton was instrumental in Burleigh’s win, setting up two tries and kicking a field goal, while Sam Coster was his usual reliable self with 143 metres and 46 tackles — no misses — in what was just another day in the office for the veteran lock.
