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JFC Team List: Promising halfback named for comeboack - warriors.kiwi
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<p>Halfback Jack Thompson was one of the stars of the One New Zealand Warriors’ Harold Matthews Cup grand final win last year, and, appropriately on the same day as the 2025 decider, he’s due to make his comeback from a long layoff.</p>
<p>But while this year’s Harold Matthews side will be on the grand final stage in Sydney today, the now 19-year-old Thompson is in line to make his Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) debut in suburban Melbourne.</p>
<p>Playing at Seabrook Reserve in Broadmeadows (1.30pm kick-off local time; 3.30pm NZT), Thompson has been paired in the halves with captain Jett Cleary.</p>
<p>Signed from Newcastle midway through last year’s Harold Matthews Cup season, Thompson quickly established himself with the Warriors highlighted by an outstanding two-try performance in the grand final win over Western Suburbs.</p>
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<p>A long-term injury ruled him out of playing for the Warriors’ SG Ball Cup (under-19) team this year but now he’s set to take the step up.</p>
<p>He joins a Warriors side which faces an imposing mission against the Jersey Flegg’s second-placed Storm. They’re one point behind leader Penrith with just one loss so far – a shock 26-34 defeat by the Silktails two weeks ago – but they rebounded with a 52-14 trouncing of the Raiders last week.</p>
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<source media="(max-width: 28.25em)" srcset="https://www.warriors.kiwi/siteasset...?center=0.3,0.5&preset=photo-inline-small">
<img alt="One New Zealand Warriors halfback Jack Thompson scoring one of his two tries in last year's Harold Matthews Cup grand final." loading="lazy" src="https://www.warriors.kiwi/siteasset...1a.jpg?center=0.3,0.5&preset=photo-inline">
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<span>One New Zealand Warriors halfback Jack Thompson scoring one of his two tries in last year's Harold Matthews Cup grand final.</span>
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<p>Since a disappointing first-round performance against Canberra, the Warriors have improved significantly with two wins, two draws and a six-point loss in their last five matches to lie ninth, equal on points with the eighth-placed Roosters.</p>
<p>While Thompson is making a reappearance after a long stint on the sidelines, young centre Patrick Moimoi made a successful try-scoring comeback from knee surgery last week.</p> </div>
<div>
<p>Halfback Jack Thompson was one of the stars of the One New Zealand Warriors’ Harold Matthews Cup grand final win last year, and, appropriately on the same day as the 2025 decider, he’s due to make his comeback from a long layoff.</p>
<p>But while this year’s Harold Matthews side will be on the grand final stage in Sydney today, the now 19-year-old Thompson is in line to make his Jersey Flegg Cup (under-21) debut in suburban Melbourne.</p>
<p>Playing at Seabrook Reserve in Broadmeadows (1.30pm kick-off local time; 3.30pm NZT), Thompson has been paired in the halves with captain Jett Cleary.</p>
<p>Signed from Newcastle midway through last year’s Harold Matthews Cup season, Thompson quickly established himself with the Warriors highlighted by an outstanding two-try performance in the grand final win over Western Suburbs.</p>
</div><div>
<p>A long-term injury ruled him out of playing for the Warriors’ SG Ball Cup (under-19) team this year but now he’s set to take the step up.</p>
<p>He joins a Warriors side which faces an imposing mission against the Jersey Flegg’s second-placed Storm. They’re one point behind leader Penrith with just one loss so far – a shock 26-34 defeat by the Silktails two weeks ago – but they rebounded with a 52-14 trouncing of the Raiders last week.</p>
<figure>
<picture>
<source media="(max-width: 28.25em)" srcset="https://www.warriors.kiwi/siteasset...?center=0.3,0.5&preset=photo-inline-small">
<img alt="One New Zealand Warriors halfback Jack Thompson scoring one of his two tries in last year's Harold Matthews Cup grand final." loading="lazy" src="https://www.warriors.kiwi/siteasset...1a.jpg?center=0.3,0.5&preset=photo-inline">
</picture>
<figcaption>
<span>One New Zealand Warriors halfback Jack Thompson scoring one of his two tries in last year's Harold Matthews Cup grand final.</span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Since a disappointing first-round performance against Canberra, the Warriors have improved significantly with two wins, two draws and a six-point loss in their last five matches to lie ninth, equal on points with the eighth-placed Roosters.</p>
<p>While Thompson is making a reappearance after a long stint on the sidelines, young centre Patrick Moimoi made a successful try-scoring comeback from knee surgery last week.</p> </div>
