SG Ball Cup Finals | Six players to watch.

Author: Tayla Micallef
Timestamp: Tue 9 Apr 2024, 12:50 PM

Over the next three weeks the top six teams from the UNE SG Ball Cup will battle it out for a spot at this year’s Grand Final (27 April).

Here are six players from the top-six clubs, who could set the finals a light ahead of the 2024 season decider.

1. Sydney Roosters – Toby Rodwell – Halfback

The Roosters have finished the season undefeated (9-0) as they head into the 2024 finals series. The Tricolours finished at the top of the ladder on 18 points – four points clear of second-placed Dragons – claiming the Minor Premiership for the third time in four years.

The halves combination of Jake Elliott and Toby Rodwell has proved to be dangerous in attack with the Rooster scoring 54 tries across nine rounds – 10 of those between them. Rodwell has been impressive for the Tricolours in the No.7 jersey scoring seven tries, making eight-line breaks and kicking a 40/20, while Elliott has kicked 34 goals in nine games. He started the season at hooker before reverting to No.6.

2. St George Dragons – Jesse Williams – Winger

Bouncing back from the 2023 season where they finished 11th, the Dragons zoomed up the ladder to second and will make their first finals appearance in over 10 years. St George only lost two games across the season (to the Knights and Roosters). However, scoring a combined 108 points in the final two rounds has made the Dragons serious contenders heading into finals.

Winger Jesse Williams has been one of the brightest sparks in the Dragons attack scoring 15 tries – including a hat-trick and five doubles – which has made him the current top try-scorer overall for the UNE SG Ball Cup. Along with his 15 four-pointers the young winger made 15 line breaks.

3. Newcastle Knights – Logan Aoake – Centre

The Newcastle Knights have locked-in another top-three finish for the third straight year as the 2023 runners-up hope to go one step better in 2024. The Knights finished equal second with the Dragons with seven wins and two losses, however points differential proved to be the difference.

The Novocastrians had the best attack of the regular competition scoring an impressive 314 points across nine rounds – an average of 34 a game. Centre Logan Aoake (pictured above) contributed 36 points with nine tries (including one hat-trick and two doubles) while fullback Connor Votano successfully kicked 41 conversions.

4. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs – Mitchell Woods – Halfback

Climbing the ladder in 2024 to finish fourth after the preliminary rounds, the Bulldogs worked hard to be a premiership contender heading into the finals. The Bulldogs started the season a little shaky recording one win, a draw and two losses in the opening four rounds, however mustered five straight wins at the back end of the season.

Guiding his team to a top-four finish was the Bulldogs captain and halfback Mitchell Woods. Playing an instrumental role with five tries, two try assists, seven line-breaks and two 40/20s, the halfback will be a major factor in the Bulldogs success over the next three weeks.

5. Parramatta Eels – Mohamed Alameddine – Winger

The 2023 Premiers will be hoping to be the first club to go back-to-back in the UNE SG Ball Cup since the Balmain Tigers (2012-13) as they eye off their 14th premiership. Finishing in fifth position with six wins and three losses, the Eels started to build real momentum by winning the last three games on the trot.

Winger Mohamed Alameddine has been an attacking ‘X’ factor for the Eels. Scoring eight tries – including two doubles – along with seven line breaks across nine games. Eels utility Jai Camilleri has also played a pivotal role in the Eels season scoring five tries, having a try assist and making seven-line breaks.6.

6. Illawarra Steelers – Daniel Meafou – Lock

Rounding out the top-six the Illawarra Steelers make a return to the finals series after missing out in 2023. With six wins and three losses on the board, the Steelers sit in sixth spot based on for-and-against.

Steelers lock Daniel Meafou has been a driving force for his team by leading from the front, or through the middle to be exact. Meafou has scored seven tries in eight games and has made seven-line breaks. Centre Hayden Buchanan has also been a positive light for Illawarra scoring seven tries including a double.