Junior Reps Preview | Round 9
The final round of the NSWRL Junior Representative regular season is here — the Sharks boys take on the Roosters at home while the girls travel to Illawarra to face the Steelers on Saturday.
Read on for a preview of each game.
Harold Matthews Cup
Even with a loss, only the most unlikely of scenarios would result in the under-17 men being ousted from the top six on points differential.
Despite a finals place being all but assured, Brad Kelly's troops will want to make it back-to-back wins and continue riding the momentum after flogging the Warriors last round.
They can leapfrog the Roosters, coming off a 32-22 defeat to Western Suburbs, into fourth place with a victory at PointsBet Stadium.
SG Ball Cup
While they'll be reliant on other results landing in their favour, the under-19 boys (eighth position) could yet play finals footy by beating the table-topping Roosters.
It won't be easy given the Tricolours are undefeated and have already locked up the minor premiership, but the visitors haven't named three key players in fullback Zac Sarfati, prop De La Salle Va'a and second-rower Jackson Pennell.
Having produced a stunning comeback from 26-6 down to ultimately snare a 30-all draw with the Warriors last week, Cronulla have shown their ability to perform under adversity and pile on points quickly.
Lisa Fiaola Cup
It's been a campaign full of growth and lessons for the under-17 women, who are shooting for three wins from their past four games despite being out of playoffs contention.
After going down 22-0 to the Knights in Round 8, they'll finish their season against the high-flying Steelers at Collegians Sporting Complex.
Tarsha Gale Cup
The finals are beckoning, but the under-19 Sharks girls won't be looking past this week as they attempt to return to winning form after being unable to keep pace with Newcastle in a 36-14 defeat last time out.
Coach Isaac Michael has identified the talented team's tendency to start sluggishly in the second half as an area that needs addressing.
Sixth-placed Cronulla will look to produce a more complete performance in a bid to topple the undefeated Steelers and kick-start a run towards the title.
