As far as our NRL auditions go, it couldn’t have gone any better.
Newtown Jets lock Billy Magoulias was one of the standout performers in the Canterbury Cup NSW Grand Final win over Wentworthville Magpies at Bankwest Stadium on Sunday September 29 after running for 182 metres, producing one try assist and coming up with the play that won the game.
With both teams heading into the dying minutes of extra time and the Magpies clinging to a 15-14 lead, Magoulias rolled the dice in his own half and put a chip kick through for winger Tyrone Phillips to pluck out of the air before finding William Kennedy in support to score the match-winner.
It was a play that wasn’t lost on Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks coach John Morris, who was sitting in the stands to watch the Sharks feeder club in action and keep an eye out for any contenders for the NRL side next season – including a replacement for retired lock Paul Gallen.
“It couldn’t happen to a better player,” Morris told nswrl.com.au. “He works so hard on his game, he was only at PointsBet Stadium on Friday doing some extras. He’s always working on his game, he’s the ultimate professional.
“He made his debut this year for the Sharks and he’s a kid that we re-signed. We have high hopes for him next year and he’ll be after the No.13 jumper vacated by Paul Gallen. He’s putting his hand up and with performances like today he’s certainly going to go a long way towards getting it.”
And if Magoulias ends up cementing a spot in first grade, will Morris let him keep his kicking license?
“He set up two tries from it, he’s been known to put in a few kicks before Bill and rolls the dice every now and then,” Morris said, laughing.
“He’s a real footy player, he’s not afraid when he sees something, he’ll have a shot at it and it paid off today, it won the Grand Final so I couldn’t be happier for him.”
