The NSWRL is pleased to announce the 2024 Team of the Year (TOTY) for The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, with three players included from the Grand Final at CommBank Stadium today (Sunday 29 September) between foundation clubs (1908) North Sydney Bears and the Newtown Jets.
Bears captain Kurt De Luis has been named at prop after a consistent season averaging 35 tackles and 133 run metres without missing a game. Teammate Jake Toby, who missed today’s decider after breaking his foot last month, was chosen at fullback after a season that featured 21 try involvements (seven tries, 14 assists), eight line-breaks and 97 tackle-busts.
The Jets are represented by captain and second-rower Billy Burns, who boasted the most tries (eight) and try assists (five) of any edge forward in the competition, and hooker Jayden Berrell, following nearly 150 appearances across Queensland Cup and The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.
Canberra Raiders are the most represented club with three selections, including halfback Adam Cook who was named as The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Player of the Year at the recent Brad Fittler Medal. Cook led the competition for try assists (21) and line-break assists (20), as well as scoring 150 points.
He is joined by James Schiller at centre with 15 tries, 14 line-breaks and 84 tackle-busts from 14 appearances, and Hohepa Puru at lock, who topped the competition with 954 tackles at an average of 40, as well as running for 123m on average per game and scoring six tries.
Jacob Laban – another 2024 NRL debutant – claimed the other spot in the back-row. He is the sole TOTY representative from the fourth-placed Warriors, producing seven tries and leading his position for tackle-busts (65), while averaging 30 tackles and 109 run metres.
For the Panthers, True Blue Tyrone Peachey joins the outside backs with his utility value and NRL-level class proving invaluable for the Penrith side across 21 games this season. Front-rower Jordan Grant completes the Panthers’ TOTY duo, the 30-year-old leading the props for offloads (26), averaging 124 run metres, and making 505 tackles at 98 per cent efficiency.
St George lllawarra Dragons’ Savelio Tamale was one of the competition’s form wingers in 2024, playing every minute of the season while eclipsing 200 run metres 12 times. He also had the most line-breaks (23) and tackle busts (199), and scored a dozen tries.
Watson Heleta, representing Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles, takes the other wing spot after the 29-year-old had a strong season with a personal-best 16 tries, alongside 17 line-breaks and 50 tackle-busts.
The Knights’ UK recruit Will Pryce earns the five-eighth position, recording six tries, 14 try assists, 12 line-breaks, 36 tackle-busts, 51 goals at 78.5 percent, and 107 run metres per game from 16 NSW Cup appearances.
THE KNOCK-ON EFFECT NSW CUP TEAM OF THE YEAR
1. Jake Toby (North Sydney Bears)
2. Savelio Tamale (St George Illawarra Dragons)*
3. James Schiller (Canberra Raiders)
4. Tyrone Peachey (Penrith Panthers)
5. Watson Heleta (Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles)
6. Will Pryce (Newcastle Knights)*
7. Adam Cook (Canberra Raiders)
8. Kurt De Luis (North Sydney Bears)
9. Jayden Berrell (Newtown Jets)*
10. Jordan Grant (Penrith Panthers)
11. Jacob Laban (Warriors)*
12. Billy Burns (Newtown Jets)
13. Hohepa Puru (Canberra Raiders)
*Denotes NRL debut in 2024
