Promising Junior Watch

I've been thinking about this list and keep coming back to one player. With the wheels that Aiden Gow has, I think he is the guy who makes Marz redundant in a year or two. I have high hopes that he has an amazing highlights package for us and challenges Aku's club try scoring record. He doesnt just have elite speed, he has some power to go with it.
 
Profiles from the NSWRL site for under 19s tonight

CABE NSW Under 19s Men

1. Cooper Votano

Club: Newcastle Knights. Position: Fullback.

A big body who is strong, moves incredibly well and is a great aerial threat, Votano is a product of the Knights pathways who joined the NRL squad for 2025. He earned the Kurt Gidley Award for the UNE Harold Matthews Cup Player of the Year in 2023 and last year made his debut in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup as well as representing the CABE NSW Under 19s. Votano has made 10 appearances in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup this season for four tries, 31 goals, four try assists and three line breaks.

8. Cody Hopwood

Club: Newcastle Knights. Position: Prop.

A towering prop with great go-forward and ball skills, Hopwood is another player with a bright future in front of him. Already a two-time Australian Schoolboys representative, Hopwood was part of the CABE NSW Under 19s team that beat Queensland last year. He made his debut for the Knights in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup last year when he was still in high school and has been a mainstay in the team this season.

19. Jack Hilliar

Club: Newcastle Knights. Position: Prop.

A no-nonsense front rower who does everything at full speed, Hilliar isn’t fazed about doing the tough stuff and can find his way across the line. He was part of the team that got the Knights to a Semi-final in the UNE SG Ball Cup last year and his efforts do not go un-noticed by his teammates after he took out the Players’ Player Award in the same competition for 2025.
 
www.newcastleherald.com.au

The Knights' six rising talents in State of Origin arena

'I can see a real resemblance of a young Yasmin Clydsdale.'
www.newcastleherald.com.au www.newcastleherald.com.au

Article about our under 19s reps.

Evah McEwen gets the best write-up. Quotes from her saying her journey all started with this game last year and SOO brings out the best in everyone. Also compares her to Clydsdale.
Dobson has good things to say about Hopwood, Votano and Hilliar and backs them all to go well.
 
Billy said:
Profiles from the NSWRL site for under 19s tonight

CABE NSW Under 19s Men

1. Cooper Votano

Club: Newcastle Knights. Position: Fullback.

A big body who is strong, moves incredibly well and is a great aerial threat, Votano is a product of the Knights pathways who joined the NRL squad for 2025. He earned the Kurt Gidley Award for the UNE Harold Matthews Cup Player of the Year in 2023 and last year made his debut in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup as well as representing the CABE NSW Under 19s. Votano has made 10 appearances in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup this season for four tries, 31 goals, four try assists and three line breaks.

8. Cody Hopwood

Club: Newcastle Knights. Position: Prop.

A towering prop with great go-forward and ball skills, Hopwood is another player with a bright future in front of him. Already a two-time Australian Schoolboys representative, Hopwood was part of the CABE NSW Under 19s team that beat Queensland last year. He made his debut for the Knights in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup last year when he was still in high school and has been a mainstay in the team this season.

19. Jack Hilliar

Club: Newcastle Knights. Position: Prop.

A no-nonsense front rower who does everything at full speed, Hilliar isn’t fazed about doing the tough stuff and can find his way across the line. He was part of the team that got the Knights to a Semi-final in the UNE SG Ball Cup last year and his efforts do not go un-noticed by his teammates after he took out the Players’ Player Award in the same competition for 2025.
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One of these days the journalists will get the Votano brothers names right 😆
 
Owey said:
I've been thinking about this list and keep coming back to one player. With the wheels that Aiden Gow has, I think he is the guy who makes Marz redundant in a year or two. I have high hopes that he has an amazing highlights package for us and challenges Aku's club try scoring record. He doesnt just have elite speed, he has some power to go with it.
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Gives me mad dog vibes but with albert like pace. Will most likely lose a yard or 2 as he builds more muscle but he has a set of wheels on him. This kid has lined up on the track with gout gout.

Edit : official fastest 100m time is a 10.91
 
EASBay17 said:
Gives me mad dog vibes but with albert like pace. Will most likely lose a yard or 2 as he builds more muscle but he has a set of wheels on him. This kid has lined up on the track with gout gout.

Edit : official fastest 100m time is a 10.91
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Considering his sprinting technique is unorthodox and rigid, running 10.91 is just raw power. He'll develop well, we cannot let him go because if he's able to become a real footballer he's a serious prospect.
 
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Any updates to this list or updates on how the players on the list have gone so far this year? I got so much out of reading the posts in this thread
 
Hutcho said:
Any updates to this list or updates on how the players on the list have gone so far this year? I got so much out of reading the posts in this thread
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Well the guys who have jumped out this year are;

1 Deisal Hagan - Hooker who was decent last year and got a firstgrade pre-season. He absolutely thrived with the extra training and was the standout performer in our SG Ball side. After the Ball season he went straight to reserve grade and is already smashing it after 3 games. His 70 metre try last week was as good as any you will see.

2 Toby Winter - another who got a firstgrade pre-season and is now being talked about as Dane Gagai's replacement as early as next year. He missed some of the Ball season with injury but was part of our charge into the finals. He played reserve grade last week and looked like pure class with a couple of tries and at least 1 try assist - playing right centre.

3 Riley Rostron - Last year he played under 17s a year young and was a big part of our making the grandfinal as starting fullback, but he had the odd hybrid role of playing hooker in attack and fullback as well. This year they moved him to 5/8 in under 17s and he had a near perfect season to lead us to a smashing grandfinal victory. Many of the games we wouldn't have won without Rostron putting his hand up to pull off magical plays at crucial times. He is years off firstgrade, but what a player.

4 Chase Butler - our halfback in SG Ball. He is a year young for under 19s, but because we were short of playmakers in the pre-season, he spent time training with the firstgrade squad. He is a very classy playmaker. He is still at school, so he is now playing in the schools comp, and killing it by all reports.

5 Curtis Mulherin - our best forward in Mathews in 2025. He didn't start the year in Ball, but once he got a game, he never looked back and quickly became one of our best. I expect he'll get a firstgrade pre-season next year.

6 Kingston Seve - he hasn't done much yet, but the 17 year old was given permission to train with firstgrade and we bought him because all the hype was that he is the next great athletic centre. He was injured in the pre-season and has only got back in the last month or so. He is playing under 21s at 17, so 3 years young - and he looks at home at that level.

7 Mel Nonu - A winger who joined the club this year from Qld. He scored 17 tries in Ball (12 games) and had his first game of Flegg last week. He wasn't very good under the high ball and had poor ball security in his early games, but has just got better and better. The best part about him is he is about 195 cm and fast. He isn't quite as tall and fast as Dom Young, but he'd pass for a Dom clone if you squint a bit. He can certainly find the try line like Dom.
 
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Billy said:
Well the guys who have jumped out this year are;

1 Deisal Hagan - Hooker who was decent last year and got a firstgrade pre-season. He absolutely thrived with the extra training and was the standout performer in our SG Ball side. After the Ball season he went straight to reserve grade and is already smashing it after 3 games. His 70 metre try last week was as good as any you will see.

2 Toby Winter - another who got a firstgrade pre-season and is now being talked about as Dane Gagai's replacement as early as next year. He missed some of the Ball season with injury but was part of our charge into the finals. He played reserve grade last week and looked like pure class with a couple of tries and at least 1 try assist - playing right centre.

3 Riley Rostron - Last year he played under 17s a year young and was a big part of our making the grandfinal as starting fullback, but he had the odd hybrid role of playing hooker in attack and fullback as well. This year they moved him to 5/8 in under 17s and he had a near perfect season to lead us to a smashing grandfinal victory. Many of the games we wouldn't have won without Rostron putting his hand up to pull off magical plays at crucial times. He is years off firstgrade, but what a player.

4 Chase Butler - our halfback in SG Ball. He is a year young for under 19s, but because we were short of playmakers in the pre-season, he spent time training with the firstgrade squad. He is a very classy playmaker. He is still at school, so he is now playing in the schools comp, and killing it by all reports.

5 Curtis Mulherin - our best forward in Mathews in 2025. He didn't start the year in Ball, but once he got a game, he never looked back and quickly became one of our best. I expect he'll get a firstgrade pre-season next year.

6 Kingston Seve - he hasn't done much yet, but the 17 year old was given permission to train with firstgrade and we bought him because all the hype was that he is the next great athletic centre. He was injured in the pre-season and has only got back in the last month or so. He is playing under 21s at 17, so 3 years young - and he looks at home at that level.

7 Mel Nonu - A winger who joined the club this year from Qld. He scored about 15 tries in Ball and had his first game of Flegg last week. He wasn't very good under the high ball and had poor ball security in his early games, but has just got better and better. The best part about him is he is about 195 cm and fast. He isn't quite as tall and fast as Dom Young, but he'd pass for a Dom clone if you squint a bit. He can certainly find the try line like Dom.
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Good post Billy.

Nonu and Seve both moved up to Flegg last couple weeks. In total approx 17 players from SG squad will make the move up to Flegg throughout the season. Butler and Mulherin both will be involved in full NRL pre seasons next year as well.

I'll add some others as the Matts and Sg squads were superb this year.

SG Ball

4. Will Manning - Not a flashy centre but one of the most reliable players I've seen in last two years. Matts GF team last year and SG GF team this year. Sound defensively and very good with setting up his winger. Very high footy IQ player and one of my favourites, will continue in SG next two years I believe

6. Jaylan Bishop - Modern day Kurt Gidley who excels at 6/centre/FB/9 with ease. Recently signed a 3 year extension with club which will include First Grade pre seasons and Development deal in final year. Just moved up to Flegg last week at 6 and was super classy. Playing Fb this week due to a head knock to player.

8. Devanti Hurrel-Epati - 1st year with club from NZ, started a little slowly but became a monster in rotation with Hill, Wells and Allen. Great post contact meters and bruising defence. Another season training with the elite pathways squad to build his fitness. Moved up to Flegg few weeks ago, work load wise he'll be in and out of the squad.

10. Beau Hill - Small in stature but one of those smaller forwards who just seem to be able to find insane post meters contact. Great footwork at the line and sound defensive player, really hold the middle together when he's on. Huge footy IQ player. Up to Flegg for rest of season as well.

13. Cooper Townsend - Like Beau small in stature but physically matches it with bigger forward packs. Great link player with halves and smooth ball playing with his fellow forwards. Superb talent, exciting prospect. Just makes teams 10x better when on the field. Was injured at start of year and took a couple games to get back into it, but no surprise SG went on a run when he got his fitness back.

Bench forwards Ashton Allen and Riley Wells - Ashton had a break out year last year in Matts, a big Post contact meter guy, continued that in SG but fitness held him back a tad. Off bench though just great roll on from Hill and Devante. Recently resigned I believe but unsure on length, Like Jaylan was chased hard by bigger teams. Just needs to build on the fitness.
Riley Wells was the surprise packet this year, brought down from QLD, played in backline prior seasons but converted to forward pack and his first year there was just so powerful close to the line. Momentum changer off bench and had a few starting rolls on edge and middle throughout year. Really excited for him and potential U19 QLD squad this year with Mel Nonu. Injured his shoulder in GF but plans to play on in Flegg this year.
 
Another I thought looked good is Flegg prop William Bates. When the Flegg side was going badly at the start of the season the big prop scored some really powerful tries, just running from 10 or 15 out from the line and busting through the defence to score. He is a big, powerful prop.
 
Harold Matts:

1. Ryder Tupou - Played in A. Johns Grand final team last year and was solid but used sparingly behind Rostron. This year he had a massive leap in football ability during off season with wonderful foot work and developed ball playing. Linked great with halves in back line, in Matts again next season.

3. Kobie McGaughey - Primarily I saw him as an edge forward but slipped into centre after Jett McKay's season ending injury and proved to be very effective defensively and eventually in attack was a go to point. Very robust and physical, expect him to move back into forwards and probably 13. Bruising defender.

4. Malachi Faavae-Eli - Probably the most exciting prospect for some time. beats his opposite number nearly every run with physicality and footwork and either scores or sets his winger up. Great footy IQ and has landed himself the Elite Pathways project player role, which Toby winter took up recently which ends up locking you into an NRL contract. Incredible talent that will be lining up Braddy Best position when the time comes.
Year young this year so back in Matts next season as well, lawdy!

5. Benji Thompson - Mr Reliable, lanky winger/centre apart of the A. Johns winning GF team last season. Elite finisher and post contact meter player. Just resigned for 3 seasons knocking back multiple clubs. Wonderful prospect

7. Chase Firman - hooker from A. Johms winning GF team turned reliable half. Ty Ennis was earmarked for the role from last season but was suspended in early rounds and Chase took chance with both hands, Was so good he was put back into 7 role in finals run and was a perfect fit for Rostron adlib play. Defensively he tidied up the edge with precision and took down bigger edge forwards who picked out his smaller frame. May not be starting 7 next season but invaluable player at 14.

8. Oliver Lawrence - Probably one of the most athletic forwards I've seen for a while. Speed of an outside back and likes to show it through making 90m intercepts. Member of the A. Johns GF winning squad, back in Matts again next year and expect him to cement himself as one of the most dangerous forwards in the junior ranks. Huge potential

Edge Forwards Theo Ballard and Kade McKay:
Theo was one of the first players picked up before ink had dried on Northern region signing with Knights Pathways. from Northern Tigers Region he stands out with his footwork and work ethic. Constant 8/10 player. Will be behind Mulherin and McKay for starting spot in SG next season but too good to leave out.
Kade McKay Is in same boat as Mulherin as one of the better prospects in the club and has signed a long term deal that involves NRL training later on. Incredible ability as an ege forward to influence a game with either defence or attack and was very lethal on the edge with Rostron and Malachi. Incredible futre.

Bench forward - Jake Asplett. Year young was incredibly influential when he came onto the field. Will probably captain Matts next season and has since represented at state level and schools this year, aiming for Aus school boys. Big post contact players, big future. Brisbane Broncos were trying to sign him to a NRL developemnt contract at 16 years of age this year, but knocked them back to sign long term here.
 
So Winter will battle it out with Hunt for that right centre spot. Best does have injuries in him so having those 3 as our centres once Gags is gone.
 
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frankLauda said:
So Winter will battle it out with Hunt for that right centre spot. Best does have injuries in him so having those 3 as our centres once Gags is gone.
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Well Seve will be 18 next year, and if you believe the hype, he is a Su'ali or Crighton like talent who we got cleared to train with firstgrade.
He missed the entire Ball season with injury and has only been playing for 3 or 4 games. In his most recent game he was moving around the field and looking for work, so I think there is a fair chance he'll be in reserve grade as soon as he is fit, and i'm sure we are paying him to train fulltime.
In short - I'll be surprised if he isn't going well in reserve grade by the end of this season and looking to play right centre in firsts after a full pre-season.
Having said all that - I haven't seen him do much yet.
 
Is Seve even allowed to play reserve grade this year? Can't play NRL before turning 18 and the same might apply. Not sure, though.

He's shown some quick hands a few times which is something we're going to miss without Gagai, and has looked good in the few times I've seen him get into open space as well as just generally looking like the biggest kid on the field as a 17-year old playing u/21's, but Winter would have to be ahead in that battle so far. I imagine Hunt will be ahead of both of them.
 
Getembackthe10 said:
Seve has been brought into the QLD 19s side to start at Ctr. Excited to see how he goes.
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He was injured for the entire Ball season and has only been back for a month or so, and will be playing against guys up to 2 years older.

It will be exciting if he has a good game, but holding his own against the best in the country will be a pass mark for me, and even if he has a shocker, that will be OK, given his preparation.
 
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