Illawarra Steelers: 20 Exciting Junior Rep Stars To Watch In 2024 SG Ball, Harold Matthews, Tarsha Gale And Lisa Fiaola Cups

The Illawarra Steelers will have a number of up-and-coming superstars competing for them in the SG Ball, Harold Matthews, Tarsha Gale, and Lisa Fiaola squads in 2024, which could make for an entertaining season for the Illawarra Steelers. Check out these 20 players to keep an eye on.

The Illawarra Steelers have a long and illustrious history of giving promising young players from the south coast with a solid road to professional rugby league.

The Illawarra Steelers have already announced their SG Ball, Harold Matthews, Tarsha Gale, and Lisa Fiaola Cup teams for the upcoming 2024 season, so it looks like it's going to be a big year for the club.

The roster is stacked with young, talented rugby league players, several of whom have had breakout campaigns with their respective club teams.

Looking ahead to the 2024 squads, we've selected 20 players that we hope to see in Illawarra's colors when the junior rep season begins.

Jarrah Treweek (SG Ball)

The year 2023 was a breakthrough year for the superstar second rower from the south coast. He won a number of awards that year, including the Group 7 Rookie of the Year award and the Illawarra South Coast Dragons Player of the Year award.

After playing in the Laurie Daley Cup grand final in 2023 and scoring three tries for his team, the young star returned to the Milton Ulladulla Bulldogs, where he was quickly promoted to the first grade team early in the next season.

His AFL experience combined with his tremendous on-ball skills for a big man and his imposing size make him the ultimate strike weapon ready to rip up SG Ball this season.

Shayla Moreton-Stewart (Tarsha Gale)

Constantly on the move, this prop forward poses a significant try danger.

This season, Moreton-Stewart led the Milton Ulladulla Bulldogs in the Southern Corridor open women's tackling competition with 16 try scores.

When her team, the Group 7 open women's tackle team, won the championship game, she was named the game's most valuable player.

Eden Hodges (SG Ball)

Hodges, playing halfback for Collegians in the IRL under-18s, led the league in both the number of tries scored (17 from halfback) and the number of points scored overall (157). Hodges was the team's captain.

As a result of his contributions to Collegians' under-18s championship victory, he was ultimately awarded the title of player of the year by the league.

The 2023 Country representative has a strong understanding of the game and is an excellent leader who can inspire his team to take the initiative.

Ashton O’Dea (SG Ball)

A name that, once seen on the SG Ball roster, brings smiles to everyone's faces.

O'Dea's bright football career was put on hiatus when he was diagnosed with a rare neurological illness for the second time early in the 2023 season.

It's great to see O'Dea's name on the SG Ball squad after only five months; everyone is rooting for the second rower to make a strong comeback in 2024.

Palu Tausala (SG Ball)

The ferocious forward who was a key player for the winning Dragons team in last year's Laurie Daley Cup.

When he finally made it back to Berkeley Vale to play club football, he led the side in tries with 12, occasionally wreaking havoc in the backs as well as the forwards.

Dreau Clark (SG Ball)

Young gun Clark, who played for the Warilla-South Lake Gorillas and was named Group 7 player of the year in the under-18s competition in 2023, took his game to an entirely new level.

He played in the halves for the Gorillas and inspired them to a championship victory, but he'll be back in the second row for the Steelers in the Harold Matthews Cup next year.

He has a massive build, an impressive repertoire of skills, and an abundance of self-assurance, making him an asset in any position.

Kasey Reh (Tarsha Gale)

Another halfback who had a breakout season with the Stingrays of Shellharbour and was rewarded for her exceptional performance with a position in the Australian Schoolgirls squad was a player who had a breakout season at halfback.

Displays maturity beyond her years from the halfback position by coordinating the efforts of her teammates and making significant contributions defensively; this helps her stand out as a candidate for the number seven shirt.

Evie McGrath (Tarsha Gale)

McGrath, who plays five-eighth for the Stingrays, is Reh's accomplice in crime in the Stingrays' halves.

She is a highly well-rounded player and a creative supplier for her team. She is deceptively fast, and she has a certain something extra about her that makes her stand out.

It would be fascinating to watch if the McGrath and Reh combination is the halves tandem that the Steelers run with in 2024. McGrath has also represented Australia in the Schoolgirls squad, so she has worn the green and gold colors of the Australian flag.

Jack Talbott (Harold Matthews)

An extraordinary talent who was named the Andrew Johns Cup's MVP and awarded the Ron Lanesbury Medal.

The impact Talbott made on this team must have been huge, because the Dragons didn't even make the finals series of the 2023 championship.

A fullback with a fantastic kicking game who can also generate opportunities for his side by providing for them or crashing over himself.

Hayden Buchanan (SG Ball)

The 2023 version of the excitement machine that kept getting better.

Buchanan's outside back play was devastating for his various teams, including the Gerringong Lions, NSW CHS, Dragons Jersey Flegg, and Australian Schoolboys.

Buchanan is highly talented and dedicated, making him a promising prospect.

Axel Antony (Harold Matthews)

This year in the Andrew Johns Cup, he has been a strong performer for the Dragons, crossing for four tries in his first three games in the competition.

A lock forward who is highly fit and who guides his soldiers through his movements in the middle of the field.

Has a good turn of pace and enjoys the challenge of taking on difficult carries.

Hudson Bailey (SG Ball)

The 2023 rookie lock forward for the Warilla-Lake South Gorillas who was a constant performer.

Consistently logs substantial playing time and is widely considered as one of the best in his position at the club level.

Also benefits greatly from being around his close buddy and teammate Dreau Clark, who has been a major factor in the Gorillas' success this year.

Sienna Yeo (Tarsha Gale)

Played halfback for the team last year and was so good that he was called up to the Country team.

Has endured career setbacks because of shoulder injuries, but she's come back strong.

Coming into the pre-season, she will be hoping to bring her best performance because there is a lot of competition for the positions of the halves.

She is also joined in the squad by her sister Rhian Yeo, who is making her debut with the group after competing in the Lisa Fiaola Cup the previous year. Rhian Yeo's first stay with the squad began this season.

Lykhan King-Togia (SG Ball)

One of the bright young stars of the 2023 season, this 18-year-old has already played for the Steelers in SG Ball, the Dragons in Jersey Flegg, and the NSW Cup team.

He is a high teen talent from Dalby and has a fantastic skill set, primarily lining up at five-eighth but also capable of playing lock or hooker.

Clay Baldock (SG Ball)

Skilled five-eighth who had success in the Laurie Daley Cup with the Dragons before going back to club football with the Western Suburbs Devils.

His game management is considered to be the most impressive aspect of his game, in addition to his exceptional kicking ability, both while the ball is in play and off the tee.

Another representative from Country 2023, he is versatile enough to play center, fullback, or either halfback position, and he is dangerous while running the ball.

Kade Reed (SG Ball)

Harold Matthews, who also started the season in the halves for the SG Ball team before an injury derailed his season, is another contender for that position.

After finishing the season in the first-grade halves, he returned to Western Suburbs for club football and demonstrated a taste of his ability to step up to the plate.

One who excels as a runner, kicker, and game manager.

Indie Bostock (Tarsha Gale)

A graduate of the Lisa Fiola Cup who has been performing exceptionally well at the club level with the Stingrays of Shellharbour.

She is another member of the Shellharbour group to be called up to the Australian Schoolgirls side, and she will play center for the team. Her brother is NRL Dolphin Jack Bostock.

A lightning-fast runner of the ball, a rock-solid defender, and a guy who can do it all.

Charlie Heidke (SG Ball)

The Berry Shoalhaven Magpies' dynamic center, who crossed the try line a remarkable 22 times this season, will continue his Steelers career from Harold Matthews to SG Ball.

Participated in the National Rugby Championships for the under-16 NSW Waratahs team in 2022.

He has the speed, power, and intelligence to cause damage to his opponents.

Zane Timmins (Harold Matthews)

Finished last season tied for the team lead in tries with five for the Andrew Johns Cup Dragons.

Very agile and quick, with the ability to get his head down and charge the line from the center position.

Full squads

SG Ball:

Tyrone Amone, Viliami Amone, Hudson Bailey, Clay Baldock, Bohden Barrett, Lucas Borg, Hayden Buchanan, Dreau Clark, Cuba Cleaven-Vanderlaak, Beau Devlin, Aaymon Fitzgibbon, Malakai Folau, Dextar Grant, Charlie Heidke, Eden Hodges, Samuel Kennedy, Lyhkan King-Togia, Tom Kirk, Tom Knox, Drew Langdon, Isaac Laughton, Letham Manago, Bailey Marks, Daniel Meafou, Lincoln Miners, Ramses Munro, Ashton O’Dea, Seth Pearman, Braith Plecas, Kaide Pratt, Kade Reed, Jackson Rieck, Toby Rumble, Lewis Sargent-Wilson, Jackson Smith, Palu Tausala, Darnell Te Ahuru, Jarrah Treweek, Lachlan Weir, Harry Wililo

Harold Matthews:

Mason Andrews, Axel Antony, Beau Baldock, Jake Bill, Jacob Birta, Jett Brookfield, Luke Butler, Baylee Cooper-Sims, Jake Cunningham, Caden Hooper, Tayler Humphries, Phoenix Johns, Blake Jones, Kapene Karaitiana, Cruz King, Jack Koster, Ben Levy, Ruben Mayers, Baxter McDonald, Creighton Meafou, Cooper Morrison, Rhys O’Dea, Lexin O’Dea, Flynn O’Mara, Cruz Pimanovas, Likamani Richter, Mace Scofield, Noah Sepulveda, Noah Skippen, Jack Talbott, Zane Timmins, Harley Trick, Aidan Turner, Leeroy Weatherall, Hayden Whatman

Tarsha Gale:

Charlotte Basham, Indie Bostock, Ashlyn Breust, Jorja Correia-Kauter, Darcy Eade, Monica Fasavalu Fa’amausili, Anika Green, Bianca Jones, Ella Koster, Sienna Leslie, Brielle Luccitti, Ruby Marshall, Makayla McFayden, Evie McGrath, Hope Millard, Talea Miller, Shayla Moreton-Stewart, Maria Paseka, Herewaka Pohatu, Rangitaiki Pohatu, Kasey Reh, Chelsea Savill, Teagan Smede, Mia Walsh, Bronte Wilson, Sienna Yeo, Rhian Yeo

Lisa Fiaola:

Kayliah Alvey, Halle Barrett, Koffi Brookfield, Maddy Bullock, Charlotte Campbell, Ella Churchill, Holly Czornobej, Alex Down, Alysha Eti, Harper Fursey, April Gray, Ella Greatz, Michala Hardy, Madison Hemopo, Charlotte Holland, Arley Hourn, Kate Howle, Tahleena Jones, Tahanni Kaufusi, Kiara Kostovski, Jayda Lalic, Maddison Lewis, Bella Lord, Sibeal McNamara, Halle Muik, Hine-Waiata Nahona Ponga, Tahlia O‘Brien, Matilda Powell, Bridget Shearer, Holly Sheldrick, Tori Shipton, Skye Spencer, Marli Stevenson, Armani Tanioria, Eliza Taylor, Abby Warren, Tanna Watters