RED AND BLACK REPORT 2024: EDITION NO.34
The Red and Black Report shines a spotlight on Canterbury Rugby League juniors featuring in Australia’s elite and lower-grade competitions.
Wrapping up the series for 2024, Canterbury products were in action in the NRL finals, and the grand finals of the Queensland Cup, NSW Women’s Premiership and Jersey Flegg Cup (NSWRL under-21s).
NRL
West Coast Kiwi and former Halswell Hornets junior Griffin Neame produced another strong performance off the bench as North Queensland Cowboys bowed out of the premiership race with a gallant 26-18 semi-final loss to Cronulla Sharks.
The rugged front-rower racked up 11 runs for 103 metres and 23 tackles in 39 minutes as the Cowboys rallied from 24-0 down.
Neame, who along with Aranui product and Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako is in line to again feature in New Zealand’s Pacific Championships campaign, was one of only three Cowboys to play all 26 games in 2024.
QLD CUP
Redcliffe Dolphins’ first Queensland Cup grand final since taking out the 2018 title resulted in a 34-20 defeat to Norths Devils.
Northern Bulldogs junior Sheldon Pitama, making his first grand final appearance in his 114th game for the Dolphins, started at lock and toiled for 24 tackles in 62 minutes of gametime.
JERSEY FLEGG CUP
West Coast product and Halswell Hornets junior player Callum Donaldson celebrated in Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs’ Jersey Flegg grand final victory over Cronulla Sharks, coming off the bench to cap a highly successful season in which he also made his NSW Cup debut.
Hornby Panthers product Felix Faatili was part of the Sharks’ interchange contingent in a gripping contest that finished 14-12.
NSW WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP
After scoring a sensational hat-trick in Newcastle Knights’ semi-final victory over Wentworthville Magpies, Sydenham Swans’ Isabella Waterman played on the wing in a tense 10-6 loss to Illawarra Steelers in Sunday’s NSW Women’s Premiership grand final.
Waterman made her NRLW debut in the Knights’ 2024 season opener before becoming a permanent fixture at wing or centre for the club’s second-tier team.
