General Warriors Harold Matthews 2025

[ndp26]

It’s true that a power game alone won’t win you a ball or flegg title. Not having a team in the Laurie Daley Cup (u18s) makes the transition harder.

Agree with this. But I don't know what the U18 / U20 reps sitchy is in Sydney / NSW, as Laurie Daley Cup is just for regional NSW teams (and Andrew Johns Cup the same for 16s. I don't believe these two comps are part of the pathways - e.g., in between Matts and Ball - and think they're used to help select Country based players for NRL clubs' Matts / SG Ball squads the following year. The Bulldogs team might be connected / affiliated with Dogs, but it is actually a "North Coast" side.
It is just a guess, but I would imagine those Harold Matts kids that don't make the SG Ball squads would just play club footy in NSW (some, if they can handle it, playing Open Grade) and perhaps train as part of a U18 / U20 development squad as well if their club has them?

 

[Viking]

Agree with this. But I don't know what the U18 / U20 reps sitchy is in Sydney / NSW, as Laurie Daley Cup is just for regional NSW teams (and Andrew Johns Cup the same for 16s. I don't believe these two comps are part of the pathways - e.g., in between Matts and Ball - and think they're used to help select Country based players for NRL clubs' Matts / SG Ball squads the following year. The Bulldogs team might be connected / affiliated with Dogs, but it is actually a "North Coast" side.
It is just a guess, but I would imagine those Harold Matts kids that don't make the SG Ball squads would just play club footy in NSW (some, if they can handle it, playing Open Grade) and perhaps train as part of a U18 / U20 development squad as well if their club has them?

They have school league to bridge the gap too. Our boys have school rugby and most can’t play league in winter if they’re in the 1st 15. In fact St Thomas might be the only school that allows boys to play both.

 

[Viking]

The Andrew John’s teams are at least loosely connected to their NRL namesakes, we know younger contracted boys that play in that comp. Daley might be different given boys at an age where they should be playing senior footy.

 

[Ref]

They have school league to bridge the gap too. Our boys have school rugby and most can’t play league in winter if they’re in the 1st 15. In fact St Thomas might be the only school that allows boys to play both.

You are right Viking.
Some rugby schools take the piss by attending the National Secondary Schools when they don’t give a shit about league during the regular season.
Rotorua Boys a perfect example.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Could he get a game or two in nsw cup?

I'd like to know this too. Is he only like 17 tho?

 

[Noitall]

I'd like to know this too. Is he only like 17 tho?

Just wondering if he’s far enough ahead to be playing against some bigger bodies? Halasima was playing nsw cup at 17 wasn’t he? Is he in the same realm of talent as him?

 

[The Warrior Waka]

Just wondering if he’s far enough ahead to be playing against some bigger bodies? Halasima was playing nsw cup at 17 wasn’t he? Is he in the same realm of talent as him?

I can't remember how old Leka was. If that's the case, Give him a few runs in cup. I believe hes on the same trajectory as Leka. We need to do keep him busy, They'll be some clubs looking at this kid.

 

[Damo]

Just wondering if he’s far enough ahead to be playing against some bigger bodies? Halasima was playing nsw cup at 17 wasn’t he? Is he in the same realm of talent as him?

I don't think he's ready for Cup yet. Take nothing away from him though, awesome talent

 

[Noitall]

I don't think he's ready for Cup yet. Take nothing away from him though, awesome talent

Guess it depends on the trajectory they see for him. I didn’t see the game, but reading the comments on here and the knights forum yesterday it sounds like he’s ahead of players in this grade?

 

[Damo]

Guess it depends on the trajectory they see for him. I didn’t see the game, but reading the comments on here and the knights forum yesterday it sounds like he’s ahead of players in this grade?

In size, sure. But I think he still needs to work on his motor and work ethic.
Yesterday he was outstanding both sides of the ball, admittedly.

 

[Canadian_Warriors_Fan]

In size, sure. But I think he still needs to work on his motor and work ethic.
Yesterday he was outstanding both sides of the ball, admittedly.

Few missed tackles yesterday but as mentioned, easily best player on the ground.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

In size, sure. But I think he still needs to work on his motor and work ethic.
Yesterday he was outstanding both sides of the ball, admittedly.

Size wise he's bigger than anyone in our NSW Cup team lol. The only problem I have with him is he gets lazy after doing something awesome. He'll sit back and take it easy as if to say I've done my part ? Lol.
Yesterday was the exception. I've never seen him put in so much effort offensively & defensively this season as he did Yesterday. Good signs. Just needs to keep that up.

 

[Noitall]

Size wise he's bigger than anyone in our NSW Cup team lol. The only problem I have with him is he gets lazy after doing something awesome. He'll sit back and take it easy as if to say I've done my part ? Lol.
Yesterday was the exception. I've never seen him put in so much effort offensively & defensively this season as he did Yesterday. Good signs. Just needs to keep that up.

Sounds like a big game player being that he was so switched on as you say and it was the final

 

[Ref]

He can’t play in any open age men’s comp at any legit level.
You have to already be 17 and turning 18 that calendar year.

 

[Viking]

Size wise he's bigger than anyone in our NSW Cup team lol. The only problem I have with him is he gets lazy after doing something awesome. He'll sit back and take it easy as if to say I've done my part ? Lol.
Yesterday was the exception. I've never seen him put in so much effort offensively & defensively this season as he did Yesterday. Good signs. Just needs to keep that up.

He played the whole game up until the last minute.

 

[The Warrior Waka]

He can’t play in any open age men’s comp at any legit level.
You have to already be 17 and turning 18 that calendar year.

Is he still 16?!!

 

[3rdstriker]

Guess it depends on the trajectory they see for him. I didn’t see the game, but reading the comments on here and the knights forum yesterday it sounds like he’s ahead of players in this grade?

I guess he's a big body with smaller boys, which gives him an advantage.
But he has talent, footwork, a kick and a fend off both arms.

 

[Viking]

Is he still 16?!!

17 in May.

 

[Five&Last]

Just wondering if he’s far enough ahead to be playing against some bigger bodies? Halasima was playing nsw cup at 17 wasn’t he? Is he in the same realm of talent as him?

He was 17, turning 18 in that year.

He had just finished his first year of SG ball. So he was a year older than Bishop is now.

I think it's a year too early for NSW cup. Let him play Flegg for the rest of the year. Then next year, he plays SG ball before transitioning to NSW cup.

He shouldn't be playing any more school footy regardless

 

[Riz]

He was 17, turning 18 in that year.

He had just finished his first year of SG ball. So he was a year older than Bishop is now.

I think it's a year too early for NSW cup. Let him play Flegg for the rest of the year. Then next year, he plays SG ball before transitioning to NSW cup.

He shouldn't be playing any more school footy regardless

He's in the St Thomas' 1st XV squad for this coming season and no doubt be in their 1st XIII again too.
Do you think there would be a directive from the club that he doesn't play school footy?
He hasn't even played national 18s yet either, so I'd assume he'd go around for Canterbury again before the seasons out.