Official Newtown Jets + Sharks Pathways 2026

bort said:
And the broncos ones are primarily identified through a few schools?
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Yep - other than the kid they are flying in.

Probably the same in a lot of places. I know in 2024 something like 18/30 kids in the HM's squad and most of the starting 13 were from Endeavour.

This also creates issues for kids outside this bubble who ever find themselves lucky enough to get to a trial. All the other kids are training together and have familiar moves/plays etc. so the new kid has no idea what is going on. I know a kid who trialled for Tweed's u17's. He said they put him out there with 10 kids from Keebra, didn't get to touch the ball once, and was told "don't call us we'll call you".

This is yet another reason by Cup is such a great leveller. A good (and committed) player can get to Cup without having played any rep footy. He just has to go the long way (sign for a 3rd grade Q Cup feeder after u17's) because he won't be considered for an u19's team no matter how good he is.

Colts (u20) used to be an entry point to Q Cup. That's how Alec McDonald got to the NRL. Went to the Catholic school 5 minutes from here. No reps as a kid. Made colts in his turning 20 season and then debuted in Cup the same year, NRL the next.
 
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I don't know, never seen many play many of our Jets players apart from Ison & except for whoever has debuted with us overtime, hopefully not many big injuries but who's the most likely to make their debuts with us this season, Gabrael, Ison another appearance I'd imagine, Hohepa & Niwhai aswell, anyone else this season depending on injuries & suspensions etc? Seen Berrell make a few NRL appearances aswell actually.
 
Shark_Hatch said:
I don't know, never seen many play many of our Jets players apart from Ison & except for whoever has debuted with us overtime, hopefully not many big injuries but who's the most likely to make their debuts with us this season, Gabrael, Ison another appearance I'd imagine, Hohepa & Niwhai aswell, anyone else this season depending on injuries & suspensions etc? Seen Berrell make a few NRL appearances aswell actually.
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Aside from the guys you have listed I'd say Hosking or Hassett would be most likely to get into the 17, but Jones will see some time in the 19 as the injury cover guy.

Maybe Dixon or Williams get a run if there is a massive injury toll in the backs.

Everyone else is a while away.

I also think you'll see Williams and Cacciotti debut for the Jets, plus maybe a middle or two at some stage (Challenor and/or Davies maybe).
 
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SF said:
Tele named the 25 Top HM and SG Ball players to watch. These are basically just a lucky dip but they had:
  • Harold Matthews. #17 Haiden Woolridge
  • SG Ball: #24 Oliver Lester, #16 Jake White, #1 Thomas Dellow
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I love those write ups. Every lock is Isaah Yeo.

Dellow is great at getting involved with tip on plays to other forwards. He is not a ballplayer (at this point anyway). Just a very good forward who understands the value of those tip ons either as the passer or the support runner.

There are many components to four-time premiership winner Isaah Yeo’s game that make him one of the best locks in the game – his passing ability, hold up play and attacking threat in the middle. Dellow is much the same.
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I've seen a similar write up about Longbottom. Awesome prospect, but passing is probably the thing he has to improve on the most. Like Dellow he is very good at being involved in tip ons and effort plays.

Currently representing the NSWCHS at the ASSRL Championhips. He runs hard and tackles harder with all the ball skills of a halfback.
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Something else that doesn't get fully appreciated when it comes to evaluating prospects is how the school comps are run with respect to age.

Week to week school comps run as U16 and U19, with a 35 month age bracket for each, which means...
- A player who had already turned 19 can be playing against a "15 turning 16" player, and
- A grade 10 who has already turned 16 can be playing against a "13 turning 14" player.

Who is a better player? The 16 year old who is a top player on his team in an u19 comp, or the one who is absolutely dominating the u16's?

No prizes for guessing in which of these situations almost all junior reps rep players get discovered.
 
With the way those ratings are, you'd think the Sharks would like their chances in SG Ball this year. According to the Tele they have the best player, and 2 of the next best 24 (not including Grantham).

Last year's team was quite young. Finished 7th and were beaten by 6th in week 1 finals (they lead 24-8 and **** the bed in the second half).

You would think with an older and highly rated squad anything less than a a prelim would be a major disappointment.

Bold = turning 19 (from what I can tell).

Sharks NRL Prospects said:
1. Oliver Lester
2. Isaac Dawson
3. Conor Murphy
4. Samisoni Tapui
5. Thomas Beattie
6. Callum Grantham
7. Liam Challenor
8. Hudsyn Frost
9. Luca Pirrello
10. Jamie Curran
11. Viliame Koroitamana
12. Blake Watman
13, Thomas Dellow (C)
*
14. Daniel Feki
15. Thomas Stepic
16. Jake White
17. Duquan Talaepa
*
18. Zion Sitani
19. Vakapuna Mataele
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The Dolphins are playing an inter-squad trial against the own feeder this weekend (Dolphins v Capras).

Dolphins team is made up of Redcliffe and Norths Devils Q Cup and pathways players, including former Shark/Jet Jacob Gagan
 
Sharks NRL Prospects said:
The Dolphins are playing an inter-squad trial against the own feeder this weekend (Dolphins v Capras).

Dolphins team is made up of Redcliffe and Norths Devils Q Cup and pathways players, including former Shark/Jet Jacob Gagan
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Man I had high hopes when we had him :(
 
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