What positions, any serious standouts being fast tracked by the club?
Ok. Cue long post. haha
A. John Cup
Standouts from last season.
4. Chip Valentish - Very fast and strong and I think was our top try scorer, finished year in Hmatts
6. Chase Butler - Great ball runner, awesome foot work.
7. Kuda Hall - Directed the team around nicely and good foil for Butler
10/11. Noah Macnamara - Rangy prop/backrower
12. Curtis Mulherin - Big tall kid with great offload. Both he and MacNamara did a lot of damage together. Mulherin finished year in Hmatts
A. Johns team made it to semi's before being knocked out by Tigers. We played without Chip Valentish and Mulherin and it showed, both were out injured. Fairly certain all will move up to L. Daley cup and potentially Hmatts.
L. Daley Cup
This team struggled a bit last year but should be better for the run.
Standouts.
7. Jack Thompson - Was in and out of Hmatts and Daley, scored 5 tries in one game. Unfortunately got picked up by Warriors who went onto win Hmatts. Talk is Blair is trying to get him to come back over, though not sure how true that is. Be a nice first move by Blair though
9. Matthew McEwen. Brother to Jermaine and Evah. Started in Daley Cup then went up to Hmatts as well. Much smaller than his siblings but very quick. Looking at him having a good time getting coach by Simpson in Hmatts and learning next to young Diesel Hagan.
13. Noah Sefo. Strong ball runner and always was always a bit of an eye catcher in games watched. Keen to see his development
Harold Matthews
Team missed finals but really started to show some great talent at seasons end. Most will move to SG Ball and there are a few who will be mentioned soon enough like we're talking about Linnane, McEwen Hopwood etc.
Standouts.
1/4. Toby Winter - Super fast when in open space, scored a blisterting 90m try that caught everyone's attention. Mostly played centre but scored that try at FB and I think stayed there for final games of season.
4. Fletcher Sommerville - Kid is a weapon, very strong for his age, broke tackles willingly, scored 4 tries in one game. chased by multiple clubs but re-signed for next yr here. Will be aiming for SG Ball and big contract from there I think.
6. Ryder Crosswell - Superb ball runner and great hands too. Caught a lot of attention, sounded like he was ging back to NZ but Blair has managed to keep him here. Very talented.
7. Lachlan Hails. Good solid game manager, very interested to see him progress, got better as season went. Keen to see his development as wen need more game managers.
9. Diesel Hagan. Drags the teams to victory last two season. small but hit likes a truck and very smart dummyhalf. Wildly regarded a future captain of club. Newcastle through and through.
10/11. Fletcher O'Doherty - Became a maintstay and won players's player I think? NSW school representative this yr along with Cody Hopwood.
One to watch in coming years, big future
12. Austyn Ah Toon-Hotene - Damaging forward, very powerful and has a big future. Very excited for him in SG this year.
11. TJ Lalaileva - Was hugely sort after Rugby Australia after playing in U/18's Aus vs Kiwis Rugby International, but has re-signed with Knights, unsure for how long but along with Ah Toon is one helluva talent and just breaking the ice in how damaging they can be.
A few other I can probably state but lets just say I think the Hmatts team should be aiming for GF in 25, great talents coming through and will lead into SG as well.
Some notable signings this year too but i can't remember them all. Rico Elers an Wippy 6 from Maitland and Will Hope QLD Schoolboy were standouts though.
