At the halfway point of the season, we’ve compiled a list of the top 30 local footy stars who have stood out for their sides down the south coast of NSW. Check out the list and the team of the season so far.
At the halfway point of the Group 7 season, we’re beginning to get a feel of who will be challenging for the title in a few months time.
While each week has been as unpredictable as the last, there have been a number of constant performers kitting up for their sides down the south coast of NSW every week and playing to a high standard each week.
We’ve talked to every coach in the league and compiled a list of 30 of the standout performers from the first half of the season.
Check them out and read on to see our Team of the Season for 2023 so far.
Josh Sainsbury (Albion Park Oak Flats Eagles)
Prop forward for the Eagles, has been putting in a huge shift for his side all year, especially in this hot patch of form they’ve found themselves in.
Playing nearly 80 minutes every week, he reportedly sometimes refuses to come off, in a good way.
Jack Walsh (Albion Park Oak Flats Eagles)
Has been described as “phenomenal” by coach Gorrell for his efforts in 2023.
Has been appearing all over the park this season from hooker to five-eighth and most recently lock forward, doing so with a great attitude and immense workrates.
Kane Ball (Albion Park Oak Flats Eagles)
A different footy side when Kane Ball is up and firing.
Scored the matchwinner in that famous victory over Gerringong and picked up four tries against Kiama, using his fullback experience for the better from the halfback role.
Trent & Aaron Griffiths (Berry Shoalhaven Heads Magpies)
The brothers have been “unreal” for the Magpies according to coach Thomas, Trent in lock forward and Aaron in centre, both providing excellent workrates.
Taj Ford (Gerringong Lions)
Backing off an SG Ball Cup campaign with the Illawarra Steelers with a massively impressive start to the season.
Still young but steering the ship with wisdom beyond his years for the Gerringong Lions.
Nathan Ford (Gerringong Lions)
Another Ford with a few more years experience under the belt doing the damage for the Lions.
Captaining the side from hooker with class, leading in attack and defence with his big frame.
Tobey Gumley-Quine (Gerringong Lions)
Has been a different kind of weapon for the Gerringong Lions in centre this season.
Moving infield having operated from wing and off the bench last season, Gumley-Quine sits on eight tries for the season already and has been a major attacking threat down the left flank.
Jayden Morgan (Jamberoo Superoos)
Mostly out of necessity due to the massive injury list at Jamberoo, but Jayden Morgan has been putting in some admirable 80 minute stints from lock forward.
A top defender, he leads the standings for the Mick Cronin Medal at the halfway point of the season.
Coreg Grigg (Jamberoo Superoos)
Has been a much welcomed return to the Superoos and has been imposing himself on the game from second row.
He’s also in a rich run of try scoring form at the moment, having found the line four times in his past three appearances.
Mark Asquith (Jamberoo Superoos)
The 2022 Michael Cronin Medal winner continuing his form in the 2023 season.
Has been instrumental from five-eighth for the Superoos, showcasing his excellent passing and damaging running game that has led to his crossing the line eight times so far.
William Webb (Kiama Knights)
Was a standout player for the Knights in the early parts of the season from prop forward, but looked as if he suffered a potential ACL injury against Albion Park in round nine, which would mean the end of his season.
Cameron Cornell (Kiama Knights)
“A bit of a freak that doesn’t look like a footballer” according to his coach Marc Laird.
A big framed centre from the Navy, he turns up with minimal footy training each week and is fit and raring to go, crossing for six tries already this season and forming a lethal left edge for the Knights.
Thomas Atkins (Kiama Knights)
An older head operating from halfback, he’s been steering the ship for the Knights this season.
A real club legend ageing like fine wine, using his vision from his fullback playing days to assemble his troops from halfback.
Bailey Sasso (Milton Ulladulla Bulldogs)
Just 18 years old and putting in monster 80 minute performances from lock forward.
Never takes a backward step, unbelievable work rates and wisdom beyond his years.
Blake Mackey (Milton Ulladulla Bulldogs)
The captain of the south coast side that leads his Bulldogs by example.
When he speaks people listen, but his real leadership comes from his workload from second row.
Callum Franchi (Milton Ulladulla Bulldogs)
“When you need something done, he’s the guy that goes and gets it done.”
A front rower in his late 20s who is well respected among the boys as a part of the leadership group and has been massive for the Bulldogs this season.
Beau Luland (Nowra-Bomaderry Jets)
The league’s most frequent visitor to the try line with nine scored in the opening ten games.
Has formed a deadly duo down the left flank of the Jets attack with his centre partner Matori Atunsaia and is ever-reliable to do his job when called upon.
Adam Quinlan (Nowra-Bomaderry Jets)
The consistent captain and coach of the Jets has been as impressive as always this season from fullback.
Cool, calm and composed from the back, he’s picked up seven tries and been involved in the making of many more for the team with the most points scored this season.
Clyde Parsons (Nowra-Bomaderry Jets)
A welcome return to the Jets in what has become one of the most formidable spines in the competition.
Small in stature but big in ability, showcasing a terrific running game, agility and distribution, also leading the entire competition for points scored thanks to his eight tries and solid conversion record.
Dylan Farrell (Nowra-Bomaderry Jets)
Still with plenty of life in the legs at 32 years old, Farrell has been carving it up for the Jets from five-eighth this season.
The former-NRL player was a major re-recruitment for the Jets this season and has been massive for the side, turning into a great provider for his teammates with his excellent distribution game.
Josh Starling (Shellharbour Sharks)
A front rower who has found his way over the line an impressive three times this season and is instrumental to the game philosophy of the Sharks.
As said by his coach Abed Atallah, Starling “loves a meat pie every now and then, and I’m not just talking about tries.”
Matt Nicholson (Shellharbour Sharks)
The other front rower leading the line for the Sharks consistently week in week out.
Alongside Starling has been a big ball carrier and a massive contributor to the Sharks having the best defensive record in the league.
James Ralphs (Shellharbour Sharks)
A whopping six tries from second row already this season for the captain of the side.
A willing and powerful ballrunner that has also demonstrated his skilfulness on the ball for a second rower, showcased by his stepping and dummying to get a pair of tries against the Stingrays.
Isaac Morris (Shellharbour Sharks)
The skilful Sharks halfback is right up there in the pack for the Michael Cronin medal despite missing a few games.
Still young and with plenty of potential, in 2022 he was highlighted as one of the top under-21 local footy guns in regional NSW.
Colby Smith (Stingrays of Shellharbour)
Has been the standout for the Stingrays this season, with coach Warner highlighting how much his side has missed him when he hasn’t been around this season.
Creates a real energy and spark within the Stingrays and is instrumental in attack.
Tom Warner (Stingrays of Shellharbour)
The captain who guided his side to seven straight wins from the front row.
He has put in a monster effort this season, highlighted by backing up for his side against Jamberoo a day after representative duties with the Open Men’s Country side.
Jayden Harris (Stingrays of Shellharbour)
Leads the try scoring front for the high-flying Stingrays on eight tries.
The wingers has shown great pace, positioning and the ability to break an ankle or two with a mean stepping game.
Samuel Hooper (Warilla-Lake South Gorillas)
An absolute nightmare to deal with for defensive sides.
Quick, agile and elusive, the hooker has been very influential in attack for the Gorillas this season and has found the try line four times.
Justin Jones (Warilla-Lake South Gorillas)
While his Gorillas haven’t reached the heights of 2022, Justin Jones has been his usual threat in attack for the Gorillas.
Last season he finished the outright top try scorer at 25, this season he’s right in the mix with eight to his name already.
Team of the season so far:
1. Adam Quinlan (Nowra-Bomaderry Jets)
2. Beau Luland (Nowra-Bomaderry Jets)
3. Toby Gumley-Quine (Gerringong Lions)
4. Cameron Cornell (Kiama Knights)
5. Jayden Harris (Stingrays of Shellharbour)
6. Dylan Farrell (Nowra-Bomaderry Jets)
7. Clyde Parsons (Nowra-Bomaderry Jets)
8. Josh Starling (Shellharbour Sharks)
9. Colby Smith (Stingrays of Shellharbour)
10. Tom Warner (Stingrays of Shellharbour)
11. Corey Grigg (Jamberoo Superoos)
12. James Ralphs (Shellharbour Sharks)
13. Jayden Morgan (Jamberoo Superoos)
14. Mark Asquith (Jamberoo Superoos)
15. Matt Nicholson (Shellharbour Sharks)
16. Bailey Sasso (Milton Ulladulla Bulldogs)
17. Taj Ford (Gerringong Lions)
Anyone we missed? Let us know at [email protected].
Originally published as Top 30 performers, team of the season at halfway point of 2023 Group 7 Rugby League season